110 HR 3243 IH: Poverty Measurement Improvement U.S. House of Representatives 2007-07-31 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3243 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2007 Mr. Weller of Illinois (for himself and Mr. Camp of Michigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To direct the Bureau of the Census to publish improved annual measures of family income for use in more accurately determining the extent of poverty in the United States and the anti-poverty effectiveness of means-tested benefit and tax programs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Poverty Measurement Improvement Act.

2.

Improved measures of income and poverty

(a)

In general

In order to more accurately determine the extent of poverty in the United States, and the anti-poverty effectiveness of means-tested benefit and tax programs, the Bureau of the Census shall publish annually statistics on levels of family income in the United States. Such statistics shall be based on at least each of the following: (1)

Full benefits poverty income

This income measure shall be equal to the sum of partial benefits poverty income and noncash benefits (including food stamps, housing subsidies, the actuarial value of health coverage, and any other State or Federal means-tested benefits) attributable to the members of the household involved, including non-related members. (2)

Full benefits and taxes poverty income

This income measure shall be equal to full benefits poverty income, increased by State and Federal earned income tax credits, refundable child credits, and any other refundable tax credit, and decreased by State and Federal income and payroll taxes, attributable to the members of the household involved, including non-related members. (b)

Definition of partial benefits poverty income

For purposes of this section, the term partial benefits poverty income means money income, as defined by the Bureau of the Census for purposes of any survey relating to income or poverty in the United States. (c)

Rates and other data

The Bureau of the Census shall use the measures of income described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) to produce corresponding tables and graphs showing for each year the following (and related data): (1)The partial benefits poverty rate. (2)The full benefits poverty rate. (3)The full benefits and taxes poverty rate.