[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 187 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H9281-H9291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FOUNDATIONS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING ACT OF 2017

  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4174) to amend titles 5 and 44, United States Code, to 
require Federal evaluation activities, improve Federal data management, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4174

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

             TITLE I--FEDERAL EVIDENCE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES

Sec. 101. Federal evidence-building activities.

                   TITLE II--OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA ACT

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. OPEN Government Data.

    TITLE III--CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND STATISTICAL 
                               EFFICIENCY

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Confidential information protection and statistical 
              efficiency.
Sec. 303. Increasing access to data for evidence.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 401. Rule of construction.
Sec. 402. Effective date.

             TITLE I--FEDERAL EVIDENCE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES

     SEC. 101. FEDERAL EVIDENCE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of part I of title 5, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) before section 301, by inserting the following:

               ``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS''; and

       (2) by adding at the end the following:

         ``SUBCHAPTER II--FEDERAL EVIDENCE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES

     ``Sec. 311. Definitions

       ``In this subchapter:
       ``(1) Agency.--The term `agency' means an agency referred 
     to under section 901(b) of title 31.
       ``(2) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget.
       ``(3) Evaluation.--The term `evaluation' means an 
     assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of 
     one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to 
     assess their effectiveness and efficiency.
       ``(4) Evidence.--The term `evidence' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 3561 of title 44.
       ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several 
     States, the District of Columbia, each territory or 
     possession of the United States, and each federally 
     recognized Indian Tribe.
       ``(6) Statistical activities; statistical agency or unit; 
     statistical purpose.--The terms `statistical activities', 
     `statistical agency or unit', and `statistical purpose' have 
     the meanings given those terms in section 3561 of title 44.

     ``Sec. 312. Agency evidence-building plan

       ``(a) Requirement.--Not later than the first Monday in 
     February of each year, the head of each agency shall submit 
     to the Director and Congress a systematic plan for 
     identifying and addressing policy questions relevant to the 
     programs, policies, and regulations of the agency. Such plan 
     shall be made available on the public website of the agency 
     and shall cover at least a four-year period beginning with 
     the first fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the 
     plan is submitted and published and contain the following:
       ``(1) A list of policy-relevant questions for which the 
     agency intends to develop evidence to support policymaking.
       ``(2) A list of data the agency intends to collect, use, or 
     acquire to facilitate the use of evidence in policymaking.
       ``(3) A list of methods and analytical approaches that may 
     be used to develop evidence to support policymaking.
       ``(4) A list of any challenges to developing evidence to 
     support policymaking, including any statutory or other 
     restrictions to accessing relevant data.
       ``(5) A description of the steps the agency will take to 
     accomplish paragraphs (1) and (2).
       ``(6) Any other information as required by guidance issued 
     by the Director.
       ``(b) Consultation.--In developing the plan required under 
     subsection (a), the head of an agency shall consult with the 
     following:
       ``(1) The public.
       ``(2) Any evaluation or analysis unit and personnel of the 
     agency.
       ``(3) Agency officials responsible for implementing privacy 
     policy.
       ``(4) The Chief Data Officer of the agency.
       ``(5) The officials of the agency designated under section 
     315.
       ``(6) The Performance Improvement Officer of the agency.
       ``(7) Program administrators of the agency.
       ``(8) The committees of the House of Representatives and 
     Senate with oversight jurisdiction over the agency.
       ``(9) Any other individual or entity as determined by the 
     Director.

     ``Sec. 313. Governmentwide evidence-building coordination

       ``(a) In General.--The Director shall consolidate the plans 
     submitted under section 312 in a unified evidence-building 
     plan. The Director shall notify agency heads of potentially 
     overlapping or unnecessarily duplicative data acquisition 
     plans and facilitate interagency evidence gathering and 
     sharing. The head of an agency may incorporate the results of 
     any interagency coordination by updating the plan required 
     under section 312. The Director shall incorporate any such 
     agency update in the unified evidence-building plan.
       ``(b) Consultation.--In developing the unified evidence-
     building plan required under subsection (a), the Director 
     shall consult with the following:
       ``(1) The public.
       ``(2) The Interagency Council on Statistical Policy 
     established under section 3504(e)(8) of title 44.
       ``(3) Any other relevant interagency council.
       ``(4) The head of each agency.
       ``(5) Any other individual or entity as determined by the 
     Director.

     ``Sec. 314. Chief Evaluation Officers

       ``(a) Establishment.--The head of each agency shall appoint 
     or designate an employee of the agency as the Chief 
     Evaluation Officer of the agency.
       ``(b) Qualifications.--The Chief Evaluation Officer of an 
     agency shall be appointed or designated without regard to 
     political affiliation and based on demonstrated expertise in 
     evaluation methodology and practices and appropriate 
     expertise to the disciplines of the agency.
       ``(c) Limitations.--The Chief Evaluation Officer of an 
     agency may not simultaneously serve as any of the following:
       ``(1) The Chief Financial Officer of any agency.
       ``(2) The Chief Information Officer of any agency.
       ``(3) The Chief Human Capital Officer of any agency.
       ``(4) The Chief Acquisition Officer of any agency.
       ``(5) The Inspector General of any agency.
       ``(d) Coordination.--The Chief Evaluation Officer of an 
     agency shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate 
     activities with agency officials, including the following:
       ``(1) Agency officials responsible for implementing privacy 
     policy regarding privacy and confidentiality issues.
       ``(2) The Chief Data Officer of the agency.
       ``(3) Agency officials designated under section 315.
       ``(4) Any evaluation or analysis unit and personnel of the 
     agency on the needs for evaluation and analysis.
       ``(5) The Performance Improvement Officer of the agency.
       ``(6) Program administrators of the agency.
       ``(7) The Chief Evaluation Officers of other agencies.
       ``(e) Functions.--The Chief Evaluation Officer of each 
     agency shall--
       ``(1) continually assess the coverage, quality, methods, 
     consistency, effectiveness, independence, and balance of the 
     portfolio of evaluations, policy research, and ongoing 
     evaluation activities of the agency;
       ``(2) assess agency capacity to support the development and 
     use of evaluation;
       ``(3) establish and implement an agency evaluation policy; 
     and
       ``(4) coordinate, develop, and implement the plan required 
     under section 312.

     ``Sec. 315. Statistical expertise

       ``(a) In General.--The head of each agency shall designate 
     the head of any statistical agency or unit within the agency, 
     or in the case of an agency that does not have a statistical 
     agency or unit, any senior agency official with appropriate 
     expertise, as a statistical official to advise on statistical 
     policy, techniques, and procedures. Agency officials engaged 
     in statistical activities may consult with any such 
     statistical official as necessary.
       ``(b) Membership on Interagency Council for Statistical 
     Policy.--Each statistical official designated under 
     subsection (a) shall

[[Page H9282]]

     serve as a member of the Interagency Council for Statistical 
     Policy established under section 3504(e)(8) of title 44.

     ``Sec. 316. Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Director, or the head of an 
     agency designated by the Director, shall establish an 
     Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building (in this 
     section referred to as the `Advisory Committee') to review, 
     analyze, and make recommendations on how to expand access to 
     and use of Federal data for evidence building.
       ``(b) Membership.--The members of the Advisory Committee 
     shall consist of the Chief Statistician of the United States, 
     who shall serve as the Chair of the Advisory Committee, and 
     other members appointed by the Director as follows:
       ``(1) One member who is an agency Chief Information 
     Officer.
       ``(2) One member who is an agency Chief Privacy Officer.
       ``(3) One member who is an agency Chief Performance 
     Officer.
       ``(4) Three members who are agency Chief Data Officers.
       ``(5) Three members who are agency Chief Evaluation 
     Officers.
       ``(6) Three members who are members of the Interagency 
     Council for Statistical Policy established under section 
     3504(e)(8) of title 44.
       ``(7) At least 10 members who are representatives of State 
     and local governments and nongovernmental stakeholders with 
     expertise in government data policy, privacy, technology, 
     transparency policy, evaluation and research methodologies, 
     and other relevant subjects, of whom--
       ``(A) at least one shall have expertise in transparency 
     policy;
       ``(B) at least one shall have expertise in privacy policy;
       ``(C) at least one shall have expertise in statistical data 
     use;
       ``(D) at least one shall have expertise in information 
     management;
       ``(E) at least one shall have expertise in information 
     technology; and
       ``(F) at least one shall be from the research and 
     evaluation community.
       ``(c) Term of Service.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each member of the Advisory Committee 
     (other than the Chair) shall serve for a term of two years.
       ``(2) Vacancy.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
     occurring before the expiration of the term for which the 
     member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only 
     for the remainder of that term. A vacancy in the Commission 
     shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
     appointment was made.
       ``(d) Compensation.--Members of the Advisory Committee 
     shall serve without compensation.
       ``(e) Duties.--
       ``(1) First year.--During the first year of the Advisory 
     Committee, the Advisory Committee shall--
       ``(A) assist the Director in carrying out the duties of the 
     Director under part D of subchapter III of chapter 35 of 
     title 44; and
       ``(B) evaluate and provide recommendations to the Director 
     on the establishment of a shared service to facilitate data 
     sharing, enable data linkage, and develop privacy enhancing 
     techniques, including--
       ``(i) the specific capabilities, needs, and necessary 
     assets of such service, and the extent to which assets should 
     be transferred from existing agencies;
       ``(ii) any prospective location for such service;
       ``(iii) best practices for transparency and interagency 
     coordination;
       ``(iv) best practices for monitoring and auditing of 
     privacy, data linkage, and confidentiality of data accessed 
     through such service; and
       ``(v) necessary administrative and financial authorities to 
     support the activities of such service.
       ``(2) Second year.--During the second and any subsequent 
     year of the Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee 
     shall--
       ``(A) if determined necessary by the Director, carry out 
     the duties described in paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) review the coordination of data sharing or 
     availability for evidence building across all agencies.
       ``(f) Reports.--For each year of the existence of the 
     Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee shall submit to 
     the Director and make publicly available an annual report on 
     the activities and findings of the Advisory Committee.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 3 of part I of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting before the item relating to section 301 
     the following:

                  ``subchapter i--general provisions'';

     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:

          ``subchapter ii--federal evidence-building activities

``311. Definitions.
``312. Agency evidence-building plan.
``313. Governmentwide evidence-building coordination.
``314. Chief Evaluation Officers.
``315. Statistical expertise.
``316. Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building.''.
       (c) Agency Strategic Plans.--Section 306 of title 5, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (B) in paragraph (8), by--
       (i) striking the period at the end; and
       (ii) inserting after ``to be conducted'' the following: ``, 
     and citations to relevant provisions of the plan required 
     under section 312; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) an assessment of the coverage, quality, methods, 
     effectiveness, and independence of the statistics, 
     evaluation, research, and analysis efforts of the agency, 
     including--
       ``(A) a list of the activities and operations of the agency 
     that are currently being evaluated and analyzed;
       ``(B) the extent to which the evaluations, research, and 
     analysis efforts and related activities of the agency support 
     the needs of various divisions within the agency;
       ``(C) the extent to which the evaluation research and 
     analysis efforts and related activities of the agency address 
     an appropriate balance between needs related to 
     organizational learning, ongoing program management, 
     performance management, strategic management, interagency and 
     private sector coordination, internal and external oversight, 
     and accountability;
       ``(D) the extent to which the agency uses methods and 
     combinations of methods that are appropriate to agency 
     divisions and the corresponding research questions being 
     addressed, including an appropriate combination of formative 
     and summative evaluation research and analysis approaches;
       ``(E) the extent to which evaluation and research capacity 
     is present within the agency to include personnel and agency 
     processes for planning and implementing evaluation 
     activities, disseminating best practices and findings, and 
     incorporating employee views and feedback; and
       ``(F) the extent to which the agency has the capacity to 
     assist agency staff and program offices to develop the 
     capacity to use evaluation research and analysis approaches 
     and data in the day-to-day operations.'';
       (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Not later than two years after the date on which each 
     strategic plan required under subsection (a) is published, 
     the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to 
     Congress a report that--
       ``(1) summarizes agency findings and highlights trends in 
     the assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a)(9); and
       ``(2) if appropriate, recommends actions to further improve 
     agency capacity to use evaluation techniques and data to 
     support evaluation efforts.''.

                   TITLE II--OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA ACT

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the `` `Open, Public, 
     Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act' '' or the 
     ``OPEN Government Data Act''.

     SEC. 202. OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 3502 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (13), by striking ``; and'' at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(15) the term `data' means recorded information, 
     regardless of form or the media on which the data is 
     recorded;
       ``(16) the term `data asset' means a collection of data 
     elements or data sets that may be grouped together;
       ``(17) the term `machine-readable', when used with respect 
     to data, means data in a format that can be easily processed 
     by a computer without human intervention while ensuring no 
     semantic meaning is lost;
       ``(18) the term `metadata' means structural or descriptive 
     information about data such as content, format, source, 
     rights, accuracy, provenance, frequency, periodicity, 
     granularity, publisher or responsible party, contact 
     information, method of collection, and other descriptions;
       ``(19) the term `open Government data asset' means a public 
     data asset that is--
       ``(A) machine-readable;
       ``(B) available (or could be made available) in an open 
     format;
       ``(C) not encumbered by restrictions that would impede the 
     use or reuse of such asset; and
       ``(D) based on an underlying open standard that is 
     maintained by a standards organization;
       ``(20) the term `open license' means a legal guarantee that 
     a data asset is made available--
       ``(A) at no cost to the public; and
       ``(B) with no restrictions on copying, publishing, 
     distributing, transmitting, citing, or adapting such asset;
       ``(21) the term `public data asset' means a data asset 
     maintained by the Federal Government that has been, or may 
     be, released to the public, including any data asset subject 
     to disclosure under section 552 of title 5; and
       ``(22) the term `statistical laws' means subchapter III of 
     this chapter and other laws pertaining to the protection of 
     information collected for statistical purposes as designated 
     by the Director.''.
       (b) Guidance To Make Data Open by Default.--Section 3504(b) 
     of title 44, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;

[[Page H9283]]

       (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) issue guidance for agencies to implement section 
     3506(b)(6) in a manner that takes into account--
       ``(A) risks and restrictions related to the disclosure of 
     personally identifiable information, including the risk that 
     an individual data asset in isolation does not pose a privacy 
     or confidentiality risk but when combined with other 
     available information may pose such a risk;
       ``(B) security considerations, including the risk that 
     information in an individual data asset in isolation does not 
     pose a security risk but when combined with other available 
     information may pose such a risk;
       ``(C) the cost and benefits to the public of converting a 
     data asset into a machine-readable format that is accessible 
     and useful to the public;
       ``(D) whether the application of the requirements described 
     in such section to a data asset could result in legal 
     liability;
       ``(E) whether a data asset--
       ``(i) is protected by intellectual property rights, 
     including rights under titles 17 and 35;
       ``(ii) contains confidential business information, that 
     could be withheld under section 552(b)(4) of title 5; or
       ``(iii) is otherwise restricted by contract or other 
     binding, written agreement;
       ``(F) the requirement that a data asset be disclosed, if it 
     would otherwise be made available under section 552 of title 
     5 (commonly known as the `Freedom of Information Act'); and
       ``(G) any other considerations that the Director determines 
     to be relevant.''.
       (c) Federal Agency Responsibilities To Make Data Open by 
     Default.--
       (1) Amendments.--Section 3506 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) in accordance with guidance by the Director, develop 
     and maintain a strategic information resources management 
     plan that, to the extent practicable--
       ``(A) describes how information resources management 
     activities help accomplish agency missions;
       ``(B) includes an open data plan that--
       ``(i) requires the agency to develop processes and 
     procedures that--

       ``(I) require data collection mechanisms created on or 
     after the date of the enactment of the OPEN Government Data 
     Act to be available in an open format; and
       ``(II) facilitate collaboration with non-Government 
     entities (including businesses), researchers, and the public 
     for the purpose of understanding how data users value and use 
     government data;

       ``(ii) identifies and implements methods for collecting and 
     analyzing digital information on data asset usage by users 
     within and outside of the agency, including designating a 
     point of contact within the agency to assist the public and 
     to respond to quality issues, usability issues, 
     recommendations for improvements, and complaints about 
     adherence to open data requirements within a reasonable 
     period of time;
       ``(iii) develops and implements a process to evaluate and 
     improve the timeliness, completeness, consistency, accuracy, 
     usefulness, and availability of open Government data assets;
       ``(iv) includes requirements for meeting the goals of the 
     agency open data plan, including the acquisition of 
     technology, provision of training for employees, and the 
     implementation of procurement standards, in accordance with 
     existing law, regulation, and policy, that allow for the 
     acquisition of innovative solutions from public and private 
     sectors; and
       ``(v) requires the agency to comply with requirements under 
     section 3511, including any standards established by the 
     Director under such section, when disclosing a data asset 
     pursuant to such section; and
       ``(C) is updated annually and made publicly available on 
     the website of the agency not later than five days after each 
     such update;'';
       (ii) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
     a semicolon;
       (iii) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (iv) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) in accordance with guidance by the Director--
       ``(A) make each data asset of the agency available in an 
     open format; and
       ``(B) make each public data asset of the agency available--
       ``(i) as an open Government data asset; and
       ``(ii) under an open license.''; and
       (B) in subsection (d)--
       (i) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(5) ensure that any public data asset of the agency is 
     machine-readable; and
       ``(6) engage the public in using public data assets of the 
     agency and encourage collaboration by--
       ``(A) publishing on the website of the agency, on a regular 
     basis (not less than annually), information on the usage of 
     such assets by non-Government users;
       ``(B) providing the public with the opportunity to request 
     specific data assets to be prioritized for disclosure and to 
     provide suggestions for the development of agency criteria 
     with respect to prioritizing data assets for disclosure;
       ``(C) assisting the public in expanding the use of public 
     data assets; and
       ``(D) hosting challenges, competitions, events, or other 
     initiatives designed to create additional value from public 
     data assets of the agency.''.
       (2) Use of open data assets.--Not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each 
     agency shall ensure that any activity by the agency meets the 
     requirements of section 3506 of title 44, United States Code, 
     as amended by this subsection.
       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Data Inventory and Federal Data Catalogue.--
       (1) Amendment.--Section 3511 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 3511. Data inventory and Federal data catalogue

       ``(a) Comprehensive Data Inventory.--
       ``(1) In general.--In consultation with the Director and in 
     accordance with the guidance established under paragraph (2), 
     the head of each agency shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, develop and maintain a comprehensive data 
     inventory that accounts for all data assets created by, 
     collected by, under the control or direction of, or 
     maintained by the agency. The head of each agency shall 
     ensure that such inventory provides a clear and comprehensive 
     understanding of the data assets in the possession of the 
     agency.
       ``(2) Guidance.--The Director shall establish guidance for 
     agencies to develop and maintain comprehensive data 
     inventories under paragraph (1). Such guidance shall include 
     the following:
       ``(A) A requirement for the head of an agency to include in 
     the comprehensive data inventory metadata on each data asset 
     of the agency, including the following:
       ``(i) A description of the data asset, including all 
     variable names and definitions.
       ``(ii) The name or title of the data asset.
       ``(iii) An indication of whether the agency--

       ``(I) has determined if the data asset is--

       ``(aa) an open Government data asset;
       ``(bb) subject to disclosure under section 552 of title 5;
       ``(cc) a public data asset eligible for disclosure under 
     subsection (b); or
       ``(dd) a data asset not subject to open format or open 
     license requirements due to existing limitations or 
     restrictions on government distribution of the asset; or

       ``(II) as of the date of such indication, has not made such 
     determination.

       ``(iv) Any determination made under section 3582, if 
     available.
       ``(v) A description of the method by which the public may 
     access or request access to the data asset.
       ``(vi) The date on which the data asset was most recently 
     updated.
       ``(vii) Each agency responsible for maintaining the data 
     asset.
       ``(viii) The owner of the data asset.
       ``(ix) To the extent practicable, any restriction on the 
     use of the data asset.
       ``(x) The location of the data asset.
       ``(xi) Any other metadata necessary to make the 
     comprehensive data inventory useful to the agency and the 
     public, or otherwise determined useful by the Director.
       ``(B) A requirement for the head of an agency to exclude 
     from the comprehensive data inventory any data asset 
     contained on a national security system, as defined in 
     section 11103 of title 40.
       ``(C) Criteria for the head of an agency to use in 
     determining which information, if any, in the comprehensive 
     data inventory may not be made publicly available, which 
     shall include, at a minimum, a requirement to ensure all 
     information in the inventory that would be subject to 
     disclosure under section 552 of title 5 is made publicly 
     available.
       ``(D) A requirement for the head of each agency, in 
     accordance with a procedure established by the Director, to 
     submit for inclusion in the Federal data catalogue maintained 
     under subsection (c) the data inventory developed pursuant to 
     subparagraph (C), including any real-time updates to such 
     inventory, and data assets made available in accordance with 
     subparagraph (E) or any electronic hyperlink providing access 
     to such data assets.
       ``(E) Criteria for the head of an agency to use in 
     determining whether a particular data asset should not be 
     made publicly available in a manner that takes into account--
       ``(i) risks and restrictions related to the disclosure of 
     personally identifiable information, including the risk that 
     an individual data asset in isolation does not pose a privacy 
     or confidentiality risk but when combined with other 
     available information may pose such a risk;
       ``(ii) security considerations, including the risk that 
     information in an individual data asset in isolation does not 
     pose a security risk but when combined with other available 
     information may pose such a risk;
       ``(iii) the cost and benefits to the public of converting 
     the data into a manner that could be understood and used by 
     the public;
       ``(iv) whether the public dissemination of the data asset 
     could result in legal liability;
       ``(v) whether the data asset--

[[Page H9284]]

       ``(I) is protected by intellectual property rights, 
     including rights under titles 17 and 35;
       ``(II) contains confidential business information, that 
     could be withheld under section 552(b)(4) of title 5; or
       ``(III) is restricted by contract or other binding, written 
     agreement;

       ``(vi) whether the holder of a right to such data asset has 
     been consulted;
       ``(vii) the expectation that all data assets that would 
     otherwise be made available under section 552 of title 5 be 
     disclosed; and
       ``(viii) any other considerations that the Director 
     determines to be relevant.
       ``(3) Regular updates required.--With respect to each data 
     asset created or identified by an agency, the head of the 
     agency shall update the comprehensive data inventory of the 
     agency not later than 90 days after the date of such creation 
     or identification.
       ``(b) Public Data Assets.--The head of each agency shall 
     submit public data assets, or links to public data assets 
     available online, as open Government data assets for 
     inclusion in the Federal data catalogue maintained under 
     subsection (c), in accordance with the guidance established 
     under subsection (a)(2).
       ``(c) Federal Data Catalogue.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of General Services 
     shall maintain a single public interface online as a point of 
     entry dedicated to sharing agency data assets with the 
     public, which shall be known as the `Federal data catalogue'. 
     The Administrator and the Director shall ensure that agencies 
     can submit public data assets, or links to public data 
     assets, for publication and public availability on the 
     interface.
       ``(2) Repository.--The Director shall collaborate with the 
     Office of Government Information Services and the 
     Administrator of General Services to develop and maintain an 
     online repository of tools, best practices, and schema 
     standards to facilitate the adoption of open data practices 
     across the Federal Government, which shall--
       ``(A) include any definitions, regulations, policies, 
     checklists, and case studies related to open data policy;
       ``(B) facilitate collaboration and the adoption of best 
     practices across the Federal Government relating to the 
     adoption of open data practices; and
       ``(C) be made available on the Federal data catalogue 
     maintained under paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Access to other data assets.--The Director shall 
     ensure the Federal data catalogue maintained under paragraph 
     (1) provides information on how the public can access a data 
     asset included in a comprehensive data inventory under 
     subsection (a) that is not yet available on the Federal data 
     catalogue, including information regarding the application 
     process established under section 3583 of title 44.
       ``(d) Delegation.--The Director shall delegate to the 
     Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory 
     Affairs and the Administrator of the Office of Electronic 
     Government the authority to jointly issue guidance required 
     under this section.
       ``(e) Use of Existing Resources.--To the extent 
     practicable, the head of each agency shall use existing 
     procedures and systems to carry out agency requirements under 
     this section.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--
       (A) Table of sections.--The item relating to section 3511 
     of the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 35 of 
     title 44, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

``3511. Data inventory and Federal data catalogue.''.
       (B) Cross-reference.--Section 3504(b)(2)(A) of title 44, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``the use of the 
     Government Information Locator Service'' and inserting ``the 
     use of comprehensive data inventories and the Federal data 
     catalogue under section 3511''.
       (e) Chief Data Officers.--
       (1) Amendment.--Section 3520 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 3520. Chief Data Officers

       ``(a) Establishment.--The head of each agency shall 
     designate a career appointee (as defined in section 3132 of 
     title 5) in the agency as the Chief Data Officer of the 
     agency.
       ``(b) Qualifications.--The Chief Data Officer of an agency 
     shall be designated on the basis of demonstrated training and 
     experience in data management, collection, analysis, 
     protection, use, and dissemination, including with respect to 
     any statistical and related techniques to protect and de-
     identify confidential data.
       ``(c) Functions.--The Chief Data Officer of an agency 
     shall--
       ``(1) be responsible for lifecycle data management;
       ``(2) coordinate with any official in the agency 
     responsible for using, protecting, disseminating, and 
     generating data to ensure that the data needs of the agency 
     are met;
       ``(3) manage data assets of the agency, including the 
     standardization of data format, sharing of data assets, and 
     publication of data assets in accordance with applicable law;
       ``(4) in carrying out the requirement under paragraphs (3) 
     and (5), consult with any statistical official of the agency 
     (as designated under section 315 of title 5);
       ``(5) carry out the requirements of the agency under 
     subsections (b) through (d), (f), and (i) of section 3506, 
     section 3507, and section 3511;
       ``(6) ensure that agency data conforms with data management 
     best practices;
       ``(7) engage agency employees, the public, and contractors 
     in using public data assets and encourage collaborative 
     approaches on improving data use;
       ``(8) support the Performance Improvement Officer of the 
     agency in identifying and using data to carry out the 
     functions described in section 1124(a)(2) of title 31;
       ``(9) support the Chief Evaluation Officer of the agency in 
     obtaining data to carry out the functions described in 
     section 314 of title 5;
       ``(10) review the impact of the infrastructure of the 
     agency on data asset accessibility and coordinate with the 
     Chief Information Officer of the agency to improve such 
     infrastructure to reduce barriers that inhibit data asset 
     accessibility;
       ``(11) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the agency 
     maximizes the use of data in the agency, including for the 
     production of evidence (as defined in section 3561), 
     cybersecurity, and the improvement of agency operations;
       ``(12) identify points of contact for roles and 
     responsibilities related to open data use and implementation 
     (as required by the Director);
       ``(13) serve as the agency liaison to other agencies and 
     the Office of Management and Budget on the best way to use 
     existing agency data for statistical purposes (as defined in 
     section 3561); and
       ``(14) comply with any regulation and guidance issued under 
     subchapter III, including the acquisition and maintenance of 
     any required certification and training.
       ``(d) Delegation of Responsibilities.--
       ``(1) In general.--To the extent necessary to comply with 
     statistical laws, the Chief Data Officer of an agency shall 
     delegate any responsibility under subsection (d) to the head 
     of a statistical agency or unit (as defined in section 3561) 
     within the agency.
       ``(2) Consultation.--To the extent permissible under law, 
     the individual to whom a responsibility has been delegated 
     under paragraph (1) shall consult with the Chief Data Officer 
     of the agency in carrying out such responsibility.
       ``(3) Deference.--The Chief Data Officer of the agency 
     shall defer to the individual to whom a responsibility has 
     been delegated under paragraph (1) regarding the necessary 
     delegation of such responsibility with respect to any data 
     acquired, maintained, or disseminated by the agency under 
     applicable statistical law.
       ``(e) Reports.--The Chief Data Officer of an agency shall 
     submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and 
     Government Reform of the House of Representatives an annual 
     report on the compliance of the agency with the requirements 
     of this subchapter, including information on each requirement 
     that the agency could not carry out and, if applicable, what 
     the agency needs to carry out such requirement.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The item relating 
     to section 3520 of the table of sections at the beginning of 
     chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

``3520. Chief Data Officers.''.
       (f) Chief Data Officer Council.--
       (1) Amendment.--Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting before section 
     3521 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 3520A. Chief Data Officer Council

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Office of 
     Management and Budget a Chief Data Officer Council (in this 
     section referred to as the `Council').
       ``(b) Purpose and Functions.--The Council shall--
       ``(1) establish Governmentwide best practices for the use, 
     protection, dissemination, and generation of data;
       ``(2) promote and encourage data sharing agreements between 
     agencies;
       ``(3) identify ways in which agencies can improve upon the 
     production of evidence for use in policymaking;
       ``(4) consult with the public and engage with private users 
     of Government data and other stakeholders on how to improve 
     access to data assets of the Federal Government; and
       ``(5) identify and evaluate new technology solutions for 
     improving the collection and use of data.
       ``(c) Membership.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Chief Data Officer of each agency 
     shall serve as a member of the Council.
       ``(2) Chair.--The Director shall select the Chair of the 
     Council from among the members of the Council.
       ``(3) Additional members.--The Administrator of the Office 
     of Electronic Government shall serve as a member of the 
     Council.
       ``(4) Ex officio member.--The Director shall appoint a 
     representative for all Chief Information Officers and Chief 
     Evaluation Officers, and such representative shall serve as 
     an ex officio member of the Council.
       ``(d) Reports.--The Council shall submit to the Director, 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
     of the Senate, and the Committee on Oversight and Government 
     Reform of the House of Representatives a biennial report on 
     the work of the Council.
       ``(e) Evaluation and Termination.--

[[Page H9285]]

       ``(1) GAO evaluation of council.--Not later than four years 
     after date of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller 
     General shall submit to Congress a report on whether the 
     additional duties of the Council improved the use of evidence 
     and program evaluation in the Federal Government.
       ``(2) Termination of council.--The Council shall terminate 
     and this section shall be repealed upon the expiration of the 
     two-year period that begins on the date the Comptroller 
     General submits the report under paragraph (1) to 
     Congress.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 35 of title 44, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting before the item relating 
     to section 3521 the following new item:

``3520A. Chief Data Officer Council.''.
       (g) Reports.--
       (1) GAO report.--Not later than three years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives a report that identifies, to the extent 
     practicable--
       (A) the value of information made available to the public 
     as a result of this Act and the amendments made by this Act;
       (B) whether the public availability of any information that 
     has not yet been made so available would be valuable to the 
     public; and
       (C) the completeness of each comprehensive data inventory 
     developed under section 3511 of title 44, United States Code.
       (2) Biennial omb report.--Not later than one year after 
     date of the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, 
     the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall 
     electronically publish a report on agency performance and 
     compliance with this Act and the amendments made by this Act.

    TITLE III--CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND STATISTICAL 
                               EFFICIENCY

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Confidential Information 
     Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2017''.

     SEC. 302. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND STATISTICAL 
                   EFFICIENCY.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 35 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subchapter:

 ``SUBCHAPTER III--CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND STATISTICAL 
                               EFFICIENCY

                           ``PART A--GENERAL

     ``Sec. 3561. Definitions

       ``In this subchapter:
       ``(1) Agency.--The term `agency' means any entity that 
     falls within the definition of the term `executive agency', 
     as defined in section 102 of title 31, or `agency', as 
     defined in section 3502.
       ``(2) Agent.--The term `agent' means an individual--
       ``(A)(i) who is an employee of a private organization or a 
     researcher affiliated with an institution of higher learning 
     (including a person granted special sworn status by the 
     Bureau of the Census under section 23(c) of title 13), and 
     with whom a contract or other agreement is executed, on a 
     temporary basis, by an executive agency to perform 
     exclusively statistical activities under the control and 
     supervision of an officer or employee of that agency;
       ``(ii) who is working under the authority of a government 
     entity with which a contract or other agreement is executed 
     by an executive agency to perform exclusively statistical 
     activities under the control of an officer or employee of 
     that agency;
       ``(iii) who is a self-employed researcher, a consultant, a 
     contractor, or an employee of a contractor, and with whom a 
     contract or other agreement is executed by an executive 
     agency to perform a statistical activity under the control of 
     an officer or employee of that agency; or
       ``(iv) who is a contractor or an employee of a contractor, 
     and who is engaged by the agency to design or maintain the 
     systems for handling or storage of data received under this 
     subchapter; and
       ``(B) who agrees in writing to comply with all provisions 
     of law that affect information acquired by that agency.
       ``(3) Business data.--The term `business data' means 
     operating and financial data and information about 
     businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and government 
     entities.
       ``(4) Data asset.--The term `data asset' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 3502.
       ``(5) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget.
       ``(6) Evidence.--The term `evidence' means information 
     produced as a result of statistical activities conducted for 
     a statistical purpose.
       ``(7) Identifiable form.--The term `identifiable form' 
     means any representation of information that permits the 
     identity of the respondent to whom the information applies to 
     be reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means.
       ``(8) Nonstatistical purpose.--The term `nonstatistical 
     purpose'--
       ``(A) means the use of data in identifiable form for any 
     purpose that is not a statistical purpose, including any 
     administrative, regulatory, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or 
     other purpose that affects the rights, privileges, or 
     benefits of a particular identifiable respondent; and
       ``(B) includes the disclosure under section 552 of title 5 
     of data that are acquired for exclusively statistical 
     purposes under a pledge of confidentiality.
       ``(9) Respondent.--The term `respondent' means a person 
     who, or organization that, is requested or required to supply 
     information to an agency, is the subject of information 
     requested or required to be supplied to an agency, or 
     provides that information to an agency.
       ``(10) Statistical activities.--The term `statistical 
     activities'--
       ``(A) means the collection, compilation, processing, or 
     analysis of data for the purpose of describing or making 
     estimates concerning the whole, or relevant groups or 
     components within, the economy, society, or the natural 
     environment; and
       ``(B) includes the development of methods or resources that 
     support those activities, such as measurement methods, 
     models, statistical classifications, or sampling frames.
       ``(11) Statistical agency or unit.--The term `statistical 
     agency or unit' means an agency or organizational unit of the 
     executive branch whose activities are predominantly the 
     collection, compilation, processing, or analysis of 
     information for statistical purposes, as designated by the 
     Director under section 3562.
       ``(12) Statistical purpose.--The term `statistical 
     purpose'--
       ``(A) means the description, estimation, or analysis of the 
     characteristics of groups, without identifying the 
     individuals or organizations that comprise such groups; and
       ``(B) includes the development, implementation, or 
     maintenance of methods, technical or administrative 
     procedures, or information resources that support the 
     purposes described in subparagraph (A).

     ``Sec. 3562. Coordination and oversight of policies

       ``(a) In General.--The Director shall coordinate and 
     oversee the confidentiality and disclosure policies 
     established by this subchapter. The Director may promulgate 
     rules or provide other guidance to ensure consistent 
     interpretation of this subchapter by the affected agencies. 
     The Director shall develop a process by which the Director 
     designates agencies or organizational units as statistical 
     agencies and units. The Director shall promulgate guidance to 
     implement such process, which shall include specific criteria 
     for such designation and methods by which the Director will 
     ensure transparency in the process.
       ``(b) Agency Rules.--Subject to subsection (c), agencies 
     may promulgate rules to implement this subchapter. Rules 
     governing disclosures of information that are authorized by 
     this subchapter shall be promulgated by the agency that 
     originally collected the information.
       ``(c) Review and Approval of Rules.--The Director shall 
     review any rules proposed by an agency pursuant to this 
     subchapter for consistency with the provisions of this 
     chapter and such rules shall be subject to the approval of 
     the Director.
       ``(d) Reports.--
       ``(1) The head of each agency shall provide to the Director 
     such reports and other information as the Director requests.
       ``(2) Each Designated Statistical Agency (as defined in 
     section 3576(e)) shall report annually to the Director, the 
     Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the actions it has 
     taken to implement section 3576. The report shall include 
     copies of each written agreement entered into pursuant to 
     section 3576(c)(1) for the applicable year.
       ``(3) The Director shall include a summary of reports 
     submitted to the Director under this subsection and actions 
     taken by the Director to advance the purposes of this 
     subchapter in the annual report to Congress on statistical 
     programs prepared under section 3504(e)(2).

     ``Sec. 3563. Federal statistical agencies

       ``(a) Responsibilities.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each statistical agency or unit shall--
       ``(A) produce and disseminate relevant and timely 
     statistical information;
       ``(B) conduct credible and accurate statistical activities;
       ``(C) conduct objective statistical activities; and
       ``(D) protect the trust of information providers by 
     ensuring the confidentiality and exclusive statistical use of 
     their responses
       ``(2) Policies, best practices, and procedures.--Each 
     statistical agency or unit shall adopt policies, best 
     practices, and appropriate procedures to implement the 
     responsibilities described in paragraph (1).
       ``(b) Support From Other Agencies.--The head of each agency 
     shall enable, support, and facilitate statistical agencies or 
     units in carrying out the responsibilities described in 
     subsection (a)(1).
       ``(c) Regulations.--The Director shall prescribe 
     regulations to carry out this section.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Accurate.--The term `accurate', when used with 
     respect to statistical activities, means statistics that 
     consistently match the events and trends being measured.
       ``(2) Confidentiality.--The term `confidentiality' means a 
     quality or condition accorded to information as an obligation 
     not to

[[Page H9286]]

     disclose that information to an unauthorized party.
       ``(3) Objective.--The term `objective', when used with 
     respect to statistical activities, means accurate, clear, 
     complete, and unbiased.
       ``(4) Relevant.--The term `relevant', when used with 
     respect to statistical information, means processes, 
     activities, and other such matters likely to be useful to 
     policymakers and public and private sector data users.

     ``Sec. 3564. Effect on other laws

       ``(a) Title 44, United States Code.--This subchapter does 
     not diminish the authority under section 3510 of the Director 
     to direct, and of an agency to make, disclosures that are not 
     inconsistent with any applicable law.
       ``(b) Title 13 and Title 44, United States Code.--This 
     subchapter does not diminish the authority of the Bureau of 
     the Census to provide information in accordance with sections 
     8, 16, 301, and 401 of title 13 and section 2108 of this 
     title.
       ``(c) Title 13, United States Code.--This subchapter shall 
     not be construed as authorizing the disclosure for 
     nonstatistical purposes of demographic data or information 
     collected by the Bureau of the Census pursuant to section 9 
     of title 13.
       ``(d) Various Energy Statutes.--Data or information 
     acquired by the Energy Information Administration under a 
     pledge of confidentiality and designated by the Energy 
     Information Administration to be used for exclusively 
     statistical purposes shall not be disclosed in identifiable 
     form for nonstatistical purposes under--
       ``(1) section 12, 20, or 59 of the Federal Energy 
     Administration Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 771, 779, 790h);
       ``(2) section 11 of the Energy Supply and Environmental 
     Coordination Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 796); or
       ``(3) section 205 or 407 of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7135, 7177).
       ``(e) Section 201 of Congressional Budget Act of 1974.--
     This subchapter shall not be construed to limit any 
     authorities of the Congressional Budget Office to work 
     (consistent with laws governing the confidentiality of 
     information the disclosure of which would be a violation of 
     law) with databases of Designated Statistical Agencies (as 
     defined in section 3576(e)), either separately or, for data 
     that may be shared pursuant to section 3576(c) or other 
     authority, jointly in order to improve the general utility of 
     these databases for the statistical purpose of analyzing 
     pension and health care financing issues.
       ``(f) Preemption of State Law.--Nothing in this subchapter 
     shall preempt applicable State law regarding the 
     confidentiality of data collected by the States.
       ``(g) Statutes Regarding False Statements.--Notwithstanding 
     section 3572, information collected by an agency for 
     exclusively statistical purposes under a pledge of 
     confidentiality may be provided by the collecting agency to a 
     law enforcement agency for the prosecution of submissions to 
     the collecting agency of false statistical information under 
     statutes that authorize criminal penalties (such as section 
     221 of title 13) or civil penalties for the provision of 
     false statistical information, unless such disclosure or use 
     would otherwise be prohibited under Federal law.
       ``(h) Construction.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be 
     construed as restricting or diminishing any confidentiality 
     protections or penalties for unauthorized disclosure that 
     otherwise apply to data or information collected for 
     statistical purposes or nonstatistical purposes, including, 
     but not limited to, section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986.
       ``(i) Authority of Congress.--Nothing in this subchapter 
     shall be construed to affect the authority of the Congress, 
     including its committees, members, or agents, to obtain data 
     or information for a statistical purpose, including for 
     oversight of an agency's statistical activities.

             ``PART B--CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION

     ``Sec. 3571. Findings

       ``The Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) Individuals, businesses, and other organizations have 
     varying degrees of legal protection when providing 
     information to the agencies for strictly statistical 
     purposes.
       ``(2) Pledges of confidentiality by agencies provide 
     assurances to the public that information about individuals 
     or organizations or provided by individuals or organizations 
     for exclusively statistical purposes will be held in 
     confidence and will not be used against such individuals or 
     organizations in any agency action.
       ``(3) Protecting the confidentiality interests of 
     individuals or organizations who provide information under a 
     pledge of confidentiality for Federal statistical programs 
     serves both the interests of the public and the needs of 
     society.
       ``(4) Declining trust of the public in the protection of 
     information provided under a pledge of confidentiality to the 
     agencies adversely affects both the accuracy and completeness 
     of statistical analyses.
       ``(5) Ensuring that information provided under a pledge of 
     confidentiality for statistical purposes receives protection 
     is essential in continuing public cooperation in statistical 
     programs.

     ``Sec. 3572. Confidential information protection

       ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are the 
     following:
       ``(1) To ensure that information supplied by individuals or 
     organizations to an agency for statistical purposes under a 
     pledge of confidentiality is used exclusively for statistical 
     purposes.
       ``(2) To ensure that individuals or organizations who 
     supply information under a pledge of confidentiality to 
     agencies for statistical purposes will neither have that 
     information disclosed in identifiable form to anyone not 
     authorized by this subchapter nor have that information used 
     for any purpose other than a statistical purpose.
       ``(3) To safeguard the confidentiality of individually 
     identifiable information acquired under a pledge of 
     confidentiality for statistical purposes by controlling 
     access to, and uses made of, such information.
       ``(b) Use of Statistical Data or Information.--Data or 
     information acquired by an agency under a pledge of 
     confidentiality and for exclusively statistical purposes 
     shall be used by officers, employees, or agents of the agency 
     exclusively for statistical purposes and protected in 
     accordance with such pledge.
       ``(c) Disclosure of Statistical Data or Information.--
       ``(1) Data or information acquired by an agency under a 
     pledge of confidentiality for exclusively statistical 
     purposes shall not be disclosed by an agency in identifiable 
     form, for any use other than an exclusively statistical 
     purpose, except with the informed consent of the respondent.
       ``(2) A disclosure pursuant to paragraph (1) is authorized 
     only when the head of the agency approves such disclosure and 
     the disclosure is not prohibited by any other law.
       ``(3) This section does not restrict or diminish any 
     confidentiality protections in law that otherwise apply to 
     data or information acquired by an agency under a pledge of 
     confidentiality for exclusively statistical purposes.
       ``(d) Rule for Use of Data or Information for 
     Nonstatistical Purposes.--A statistical agency or unit shall 
     clearly distinguish any data or information it collects for 
     nonstatistical purposes (as authorized by law) and provide 
     notice to the public, before the data or information is 
     collected, that the data or information could be used for 
     nonstatistical purposes.
       ``(e) Designation of Agents.--A statistical agency or unit 
     may designate agents, by contract or by entering into a 
     special agreement containing the provisions required under 
     section 3561(2) for treatment as an agent under that section, 
     who may perform exclusively statistical activities, subject 
     to the limitations and penalties described in this 
     subchapter.
       ``(f) Fines and Penalties.--Whoever, being an officer, 
     employee, or agent of an agency acquiring information for 
     exclusively statistical purposes, having taken and subscribed 
     the oath of office, or having sworn to observe the 
     limitations imposed by this section, comes into possession of 
     such information by reason of his or her being an officer, 
     employee, or agent and, knowing that the disclosure of the 
     specific information is prohibited under the provisions of 
     this subchapter, willfully discloses the information in any 
     manner to a person or agency not entitled to receive it, 
     shall be guilty of a class E felony and imprisoned for not 
     more than five years, or fined not more than $250,000, or 
     both.

                    ``PART C--STATISTICAL EFFICIENCY

     ``Sec. 3575. Findings

       ``The Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) Federal statistics are an important source of 
     information for public and private decision-makers such as 
     policymakers, consumers, businesses, investors, and workers.
       ``(2) Federal statistical agencies should continuously seek 
     to improve their efficiency. Statutory constraints limit the 
     ability of these agencies to share data and thus to achieve 
     higher efficiency for Federal statistical programs.
       ``(3) The quality of Federal statistics depends on the 
     willingness of businesses to respond to statistical surveys. 
     Reducing reporting burdens will increase response rates, and 
     therefore lead to more accurate characterizations of the 
     economy.
       ``(4) Enhanced sharing of business data among the Bureau of 
     the Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Bureau 
     of Labor Statistics for exclusively statistical purposes will 
     improve their ability to track more accurately the large and 
     rapidly changing nature of United States business. In 
     particular, the statistical agencies will be able to better 
     ensure that businesses are consistently classified in 
     appropriate industries, resolve data anomalies, produce 
     statistical samples that are consistently adjusted for the 
     entry and exit of new businesses in a timely manner, and 
     correct faulty reporting errors quickly and efficiently.
       ``(5) Congress enacted the International Investment and 
     Trade in Services Survey Act (Public Law 94-472), which 
     allowed the Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of Economic 
     Analysis, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to share data on 
     foreign-owned companies. The Act not only expanded detailed 
     industry coverage from 135 industries to over 800 industries 
     with no increase in the data collected from respondents but 
     also demonstrated how data sharing can result in the creation 
     of valuable data products.
       ``(6) With part B of this subchapter, the sharing of 
     business data among the Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of 
     Economic Analysis, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
     continues to ensure the highest level of confidentiality for 
     respondents to statistical surveys.

[[Page H9287]]

  


     ``Sec. 3576. Designated Statistical Agencies

       ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are the 
     following:
       ``(1) To authorize the sharing of business data among the 
     Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and 
     the Bureau of Labor Statistics for exclusively statistical 
     purposes.
       ``(2) To reduce the paperwork burdens imposed on businesses 
     that provide requested information to the Federal Government.
       ``(3) To improve the comparability and accuracy of Federal 
     economic statistics by allowing the Bureau of the Census, the 
     Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Bureau of Labor 
     Statistics to update sample frames, develop consistent 
     classifications of establishments and companies into 
     industries, improve coverage, and reconcile significant 
     differences in data produced by the three agencies.
       ``(4) To increase understanding of the United States 
     economy, especially for key industry and regional statistics, 
     to develop more accurate measures of the impact of technology 
     on productivity growth, and to enhance the reliability of the 
     Nation's most important economic indicators, such as the 
     National Income and Product Accounts.
       ``(b) Responsibilities of Designated Statistical 
     Agencies.--The head of each of the Designated Statistical 
     Agencies shall--
       ``(1) identify opportunities to eliminate duplication and 
     otherwise reduce reporting burden and cost imposed on the 
     public in providing information for statistical purposes;
       ``(2) enter into joint statistical projects to improve the 
     quality and reduce the cost of statistical programs; and
       ``(3) protect the confidentiality of individually 
     identifiable information acquired for statistical purposes by 
     adhering to safeguard principles, including--
       ``(A) emphasizing to their officers, employees, and agents 
     the importance of protecting the confidentiality of 
     information in cases where the identity of individual 
     respondents can reasonably be inferred by either direct or 
     indirect means;
       ``(B) training their officers, employees, and agents in 
     their legal obligations to protect the confidentiality of 
     individually identifiable information and in the procedures 
     that must be followed to provide access to such information;
       ``(C) implementing appropriate measures to assure the 
     physical and electronic security of confidential data;
       ``(D) establishing a system of records that identifies 
     individuals accessing confidential data and the project for 
     which the data were required; and
       ``(E) being prepared to document their compliance with 
     safeguard principles to other agencies authorized by law to 
     monitor such compliance.
       ``(c) Sharing of Business Data Among Designated Statistical 
     Agencies.--
       ``(1) In general.--A Designated Statistical Agency may 
     provide business data in an identifiable form to another 
     Designated Statistical Agency under the terms of a written 
     agreement among the agencies sharing the business data that 
     specifies--
       ``(A) the business data to be shared;
       ``(B) the statistical purposes for which the business data 
     are to be used;
       ``(C) the officers, employees, and agents authorized to 
     examine the business data to be shared; and
       ``(D) appropriate security procedures to safeguard the 
     confidentiality of the business data.
       ``(2) Responsibilities of agencies under other laws.--The 
     provision of business data by an agency to a Designated 
     Statistical Agency under this section shall in no way alter 
     the responsibility of the agency providing the data under 
     other statutes (including sections 552 and 552b of title 5) 
     with respect to the provision or withholding of such 
     information by the agency providing the data.
       ``(3) Responsibilities of officers, employees, and 
     agents.--Examination of business data in identifiable form 
     shall be limited to the officers, employees, and agents 
     authorized to examine the individual reports in accordance 
     with written agreements pursuant to this section. Officers, 
     employees, and agents of a Designated Statistical Agency who 
     receive data pursuant to this section shall be subject to all 
     provisions of law, including penalties, that relate--
       ``(A) to the unlawful provision of the business data that 
     would apply to the officers, employees, and agents of the 
     agency that originally obtained the information; and
       ``(B) to the unlawful disclosure of the business data that 
     would apply to officers, employees, and agents of the agency 
     that originally obtained the information.
       ``(4) Notice.--Whenever a written agreement concerns data 
     that respondents were required by law to report and the 
     respondents were not informed that the data could be shared 
     among the Designated Statistical Agencies, for exclusively 
     statistical purposes, the terms of such agreement shall be 
     described in a public notice issued by the agency that 
     intends to provide the data. Such notice shall allow a 
     minimum of 60 days for public comment.
       ``(d) Limitations on Use of Business Data Provided by 
     Designated Statistical Agencies.--
       ``(1) General use.--Business data provided by a Designated 
     Statistical Agency pursuant to this section shall be used 
     exclusively for statistical purposes.
       ``(2) Publication.--Publication of business data acquired 
     by a Designated Statistical Agency shall occur in a manner 
     whereby the data furnished by any particular respondent are 
     not in identifiable form.
       ``(e) Designated Statistical Agency Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `Designated Statistical Agency' means each 
     of the following:
       ``(1) The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce.
       ``(2) The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of 
     Commerce.
       ``(3) The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of 
     Labor.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, as 
     amended by proceeding provisions of this Act, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

 ``subchapter iii--confidential information protection and statistical 
                               efficiency

                           ``Part A--General

``3561. Definitions.
``3562. Coordination and oversight of policies.
``3563. Federal statistical agencies.
``3564. Effect on other laws.

             ``Part B--Confidential Information Protection

``3571. Findings.
``3572. Confidential information protection.

                    ``Part C--Statistical Efficiency

``3575. Findings.
``3576. Designated Statistical Agencies.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Repeal of confidential information protection and 
     statistical efficiency act of 2002.--Title V of the E-
     Government Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-347; 44 U.S.C. 3501 
     note) is repealed (and the table of contents of such Act 
     shall be conformed accordingly).
       (2) Title 13, united states code.--Section 402 of title 13, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``the Confidential 
     Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 
     2002'' and inserting ``section 3576(e) of title 44''.
       (3) Title 49, united states code.--Title 49, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) in section 6302(d)(4), by striking ``the Confidential 
     Information'' and all that follows through the period and 
     inserting ``section 3572 of title 44.''; and
       (B) in section 6314(d)(2), by striking ``the Confidential 
     Information'' and all that follows through the period and 
     inserting ``section 3572 of title 44.''.
       (4) Act of january 27, 1938.--The first section of the Act 
     of January 27, 1938, entitled ``An Act to make confidential 
     certain information furnished to the Bureau of Foreign and 
     Domestic Commerce, and for other purposes'' (52 Stat. 8, 
     chapter 11; 15 U.S.C. 176a), is amended by striking ``the 
     Confidential Information Protection and Statistical 
     Efficiency Act of 2002'' and inserting ``subchapter III of 
     chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code''.
       (5) Fixing america's surface transportation act.--Section 
     7308(e)(2) of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act 
     (Public Law 114-94; 49 U.S.C. 20155 note) is amended by 
     striking ``the Confidential Information Protection and 
     Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note)'' 
     and inserting ``section 3572 of title 44, United States 
     Code''.
       (d) Transitional and Savings Provisions.--
       (1) Cutoff date.--This title replaces certain provisions of 
     law enacted on December 17, 2002. If a law enacted after that 
     date amends or repeals a provision replaced by this title, 
     that law is deemed to amend or repeal, as the case may be, 
     the corresponding provision enacted by this title. If a law 
     enacted after that date is otherwise inconsistent with this 
     title, it supersedes this title to the extent of the 
     inconsistency.
       (2) Original date of enactment unchanged.--For purposes of 
     determining whether one provision of law supersedes another 
     based on enactment later in time, the date of the enactment 
     of a provision enacted by this title is deemed to be the date 
     of the enactment of the provision it replaced.
       (3) References to provisions replaced.--A reference to a 
     provision of law replaced by this title, including a 
     reference in a regulation, order, or other law, is deemed to 
     refer to the corresponding provision enacted by this title.
       (4) Regulations, orders, and other administrative 
     actions.--A regulation, order, or other administrative action 
     in effect under a provision of law replaced by this title 
     continues in effect under the corresponding provision enacted 
     by this title.
       (5) Actions taken and offenses committed.--An action taken 
     or an offense committed under a provision of law replaced by 
     this title is deemed to have been taken or committed under 
     the corresponding provision enacted by this title.

     SEC. 303. INCREASING ACCESS TO DATA FOR EVIDENCE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 35 of title 44, 
     United States Code, as added by section 302, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new part:

                 ``PART D--ACCESS TO DATA FOR EVIDENCE

     ``Sec. 3581. Presumption of accessibility for statistical 
       agencies and units

       ``(a) Accessibility of Data Assets.--The head of an agency 
     shall, to the extent practicable, make any data asset 
     maintained by the agency available, upon request, to any 
     statistical agency or unit for purposes of developing 
     evidence.

[[Page H9288]]

       ``(b) Limitations.--Subsection (a) does not apply to any 
     data asset that is subject to a statute that--
       ``(1) prohibits the sharing or intended use of such asset 
     in a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue; or
       ``(2) if enacted after the date of the enactment of this 
     section, specifically cites to this paragraph.
       ``(c) Regulations.--The Director shall prescribe 
     regulations for agencies to carry out this section. Such 
     regulations shall--
       ``(1) require the timely provision of data assets under 
     subsection (a);
       ``(2) provide a list of statutes that exempt agencies from 
     the requirement under subsection (a) pursuant to subsection 
     (b)(1); and
       ``(3) require a transparent process for statistical 
     agencies and units to request data assets from agencies and 
     for agencies to respond to such requests.
       ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed as altering existing intellectual property rights 
     or the terms of any contract or other binding, written 
     agreement.

     ``Sec. 3582. Expanding secure access to CIPSEA data assets

       ``(a) Statistical Agency Responsibilities.--To the extent 
     practicable, each statistical agency or unit shall expand 
     access to data assets of such agency or unit acquired or 
     accessed under this subchapter to develop evidence while 
     protecting such assets from inappropriate access and use, in 
     accordance with the regulations promulgated under subsection 
     (b).
       ``(b) Regulations for Accessibility of Nonpublic Data 
     Assets.--The Director shall promulgate regulations, in 
     accordance with applicable law, for statistical agencies and 
     units to carry out the requirement under subsection (a). Such 
     regulations shall include the following:
       ``(1) Standards for each statistical agency or unit to 
     assess each data asset owned or accessed by the statistical 
     agency or unit for purposes of categorizing the sensitivity 
     level of each such asset and identifying the corresponding 
     level of accessibility to each such asset. Such standards 
     shall include--
       ``(A) common sensitivity levels and corresponding levels of 
     accessibility that may be assigned to a data asset, including 
     a requisite minimum and maximum number of sensitivity levels 
     for each statistical agency or unit to use;
       ``(B) criteria for determining the sensitivity level and 
     corresponding level of accessibility of each data asset; and
       ``(C) criteria for determining whether a less sensitive and 
     more accessible version of a data asset can be produced.
       ``(2) Standards for each statistical agency or unit to 
     improve access to a data asset pursuant to paragraph (1) or 
     (3) by removing or obscuring information in such a manner 
     that the identity of the data subject is less likely to be 
     reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means.
       ``(3) A requirement for each statistical agency or unit to 
     conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of any data asset 
     acquired or accessed under this subchapter prior to any 
     public release of such asset, including standards for such 
     comprehensive risk assessment and criteria for making a 
     determination of whether to release the data.
       ``(4) Requirements for each statistical agency or unit to 
     make any process or assessment established, produced, or 
     conducted pursuant to this section transparent and easy to 
     understand, including the following:
       ``(A) A requirement to make information on the assessment 
     of the sensitivity level of each data asset conducted 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) available on the Federal data 
     catalogue established under section 3511(c)(1).
       ``(B) A requirement to make any comprehensive risk 
     assessment, and associated determinations, conducted under 
     paragraph (3) available on the Federal data catalogue 
     established under section 3511(c)(1).
       ``(C) A requirement to make any standard or policy 
     established by the statistical agency or unit to carry out 
     this section and any assessment conducted under this section 
     easily accessible on the public website of such agency or 
     unit.
       ``(c) Responsibilities of the Director.--The Director 
     shall--
       ``(1) make public all standards and policies established 
     under this section; and
       ``(2) ensure that statistical agencies and units have the 
     ability to make information public on the Federal data 
     catalogue established under section 3511(c)(1), in accordance 
     with requirements established pursuant to subsection (b).

     ``Sec. 3583. Application to access data assets for developing 
       evidence

       ``(a) Standard Application Process.--The Director shall 
     establish a process through which agencies, the Congressional 
     Budget Office, State, local, and Tribal governments, 
     researchers, and other individuals, as appropriate, may apply 
     to access the data assets accessed or acquired under this 
     subchapter by a statistical agency or unit for purposes of 
     developing evidence. The process shall include the following:
       ``(1) Sufficient detail to ensure that each statistical 
     agency or unit establishes an identical process.
       ``(2) A common application form.
       ``(3) Criteria for statistical agencies and units to 
     determine whether to grant an applicant access to a data 
     asset.
       ``(4) Timeframes for prompt determinations by each 
     statistical agency or unit.
       ``(5) An appeals process for adverse decisions and 
     noncompliance with the process established under this 
     subsection.
       ``(6) Standards for transparency, including requirements to 
     make the following information publicly available:
       ``(A) Each application received.
       ``(B) The status of each application.
       ``(C) The determination made for each application.
       ``(D) Any other information, as appropriate, to ensure full 
     transparency of the process established under this 
     subsection.
       ``(b) Consultation.--In establishing the process required 
     under subsection (a), the Director shall consult with 
     stakeholders, including the public, agencies, State and local 
     governments, and representatives of non-governmental 
     researchers.
       ``(c) Implementation.--The head of each statistical agency 
     or unit shall implement the process established under 
     subsection (a).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, as 
     amended by preceding provisions of this Act, is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

                 ``Part D--Access to Data for Evidence

``3581. Presumption of accessibility for statistical agencies and 
              units.
``3582. Expanding secure access to CIPSEA data assets.
``3583. Application to access data assets for developing evidence.''.
       (c) Deadline for Guidance and Implementation.--Not later 
     than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall 
     promulgate or issue any regulation or guidance required by 
     subchapter III of title 44, United States Code, as amended by 
     this section, with a requirement for such regulation or 
     guidance to be implemented not later than one year after the 
     date on which such regulation or guidance has been 
     promulgated or issued.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SEC. 401. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, 
     may be construed--
       (1) to require the disclosure of information or records 
     that are exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, 
     United States Code (commonly known as the ``Freedom of 
     Information Act'');
       (2) to create or expand an exemption from disclosure under 
     such section; or
       (3) to affect the authority of a Federal agency regarding--
       (A) intellectual property rights, including rights under 
     titles 17 and 35, United States Code;
       (B) confidential business information that could be 
     withheld under section 552(b)(4) of title 5; or
       (C) data assets restricted from disclosure under a contract 
     or other binding, written agreement.

     SEC. 402. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       Except as otherwise provided, this Act, and the amendments 
     made by this Act, shall take effect on the date that is 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Farenthold) and the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson 
Coleman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
in the Record extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to yield 1 
minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), the sponsor of the 
bill and my friend, the Speaker of the House.
  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the 
gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Foundations for 
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act.
  First, I want to thank the sponsors of the bill. I want to thank Mr. 
Farenthold. I want to thank Mr. Kilmer. I want to thank Chairman Gowdy.
  Blake Farenthold and Derek Kilmer were the key drivers of this 
measure, and they made it stronger by incorporating their OPEN 
Government Data Act.
  Trey Gowdy and his staff--I don't know where he is. He is probably 
working on his hair. Trey Gowdy and his staff--especially Katy Rother--
spent countless hours working with our team--especially Ted McCann--and 
others to turn the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking's vision 
into legislation. All the members of this Commission did incredible 
work.
  I want to especially thank Senator Patty Murray for her willingness 
to

[[Page H9289]]

work together on this issue. We may be on different sides of the aisle, 
but there is one thing that we passionately agree on, and that is what 
the government does, it should do it well. The taxpayer's money should 
always be protected, and that is exactly why we came together to write 
this bipartisan legislation.
  So what does this bill actually do? It protects privacy. It improves 
transparency. It ensures that Federal agencies are protecting the data 
collected by the government.
  The American people deserve to know and they deserve to understand 
exactly what data the government is actually collecting. They deserve 
to know that the strictest safeguards are placed on that data.
  The driving purpose of this legislation is very simple: we are 
requiring Federal agencies to prioritize evidence when they are 
measuring a program's success.
  Go figure.
  Here is what we are talking about. Let's just take poverty, for 
example. Instead of measuring success based on inputs, instead of 
measuring success based on how many programs we have created, how much 
money we are spending, how many people are on those programs, let's 
measure success based on results: Is it working? Are people getting out 
of poverty? Are the goals and objectives of these bills and these laws 
actually being achieved or not?
  By directing agencies to do this, no longer will ``we don't know'' be 
an acceptable answer when asked if a program is actually working.
  It is really just kind of crazy, but so much of what government does, 
government doesn't actually see whether or not it is actually 
succeeding at doing it. So we have got to get off of this input effort-
based system, this 20th century relic, and on to clearly identifiable, 
evidence-based terms, conditions, data, results, outcomes.
  With this bill, we are asking the Federal bureaucracy to step up its 
game. We are asking ourselves: How can we improve the lives of our 
fellow citizens by better understanding the programs that we put in 
place? How can we make sure that the money that is being spent on 
behalf of the hardworking taxpayers, who send the money here in the 
first place, is being spent wisely, efficiently, effectively?
  We need results, not just effort. This is just good, commonsense 
policy, and it is going to mean a real sea change in how we solve 
problems and how government actually works.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I thank the sponsors 
for all of their hard work.

                              {time}  1445

  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, as 
amended, would establish a framework to support greater access and use 
of government data.
  I want to thank Representatives Derek Kilmer and Blake Farenthold for 
their work on the OPEN Government Data Act, which is the basis for 
title II of this bill. I also want to thank Speaker Ryan, Senator 
Murray, and Chairman Gowdy for their bipartisan work on this issue.
  This bill would require that agencies make data ``open by default'' 
and develop a plan for building evidence in their agencies.
  The bill would require that the Office of Management and Budget 
develop a Federal catalog and inventory of agency data assets and that 
each agency designate chief evaluation officers and chief data officers 
who would work to ensure that agencies utilize data effectively.
  The goal of this bill is to ensure that Congress and the executive 
branch are able to make important policy decisions based on evidence. 
This is not always the case. For example, take the Teen Pregnancy 
Prevention Program. Funding for that program was recently cut even 
though there is significant evidence that it works well.
  If we are going to demand more and higher quality evidence from these 
Federal agencies, it is imperative that Congress and the executive 
branch advance policies supported by that evidence.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am here today to support H.R. 4174, introduced by 
Speaker Ryan and of which I am an original cosponsor.
  The American people deserve an efficient and effective Federal 
Government. I think we can all agree on that. Taxpayers have the right 
to know their money is being spent wisely. All too often, 
decisionmakers throughout the Federal Government make choices without 
sufficient evidence and data to inform them and guide them in making 
those decisions.
  In the previous Congress, Speaker Ryan and Senator Patty Murray 
introduced the bicameral and bipartisan Evidence-Based Policymaking 
Commission Act of 2016. The Commission was charged with studying and 
making recommendations related to access and use of evidence to support 
effective policymaking. Believe it or not, they finished in about a 
year.
  The Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking released their report 
September 7 of this year. The Commission made 22 recommendations on how 
to improve how evidence is accessed, produced, secured, and maintained 
by the Federal Government.
  On September 26, 2017, the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform held a hearing entitled ``Recommendations of the 
Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking.'' At that hearing, four 
members of the Commission explained the intent of the recommendations 
and the need for more evidence to improve policymaking.
  According to Dr. Ron Haskins, the co-chair of the Commission, 
evidence showed that many of the Nation's social programs produced 
modest to no impacts.
  H.R. 4174, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 
2017, addresses several recommendations from the final report issued by 
the Commission.
  The bill lays the groundwork for critical examination of what is 
working and what is not working in the Federal Government. Policy 
decisions should be based on facts. Those folks of my generation will 
remember Sergeant Joe Friday in ``Dragnet:'' ``Just the facts, ma'am.''
  That is what we are trying to get ahold of here.
  According to the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, too 
little evidence is produced in the Federal Government to meet this 
need. The Commission also found cumbersome and idiosyncratic data 
access procedures create confusion, impose unnecessary costs, and are a 
barrier to evidence building.
  Additionally, according to the Government Accountability Office, 
agencies' continued lack of evaluations may be the greatest barrier to 
their informing managers and policymakers and constitutes a lost 
opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of limited 
government resources.
  These barriers are standing between the taxpayers and the effective 
government that they had paid for and that they deserve.
  H.R. 4174 removes some of the barriers the Commission identified and 
encourages agencies to expand the use of evidence in decisionmaking.
  First, each agency will need to designate a chief evaluation officer 
and submit annual evidence-building plans to Congress and the Office of 
Management and Budget. This bill also establishes an advisory committee 
to review, analyze, and make recommendations on how to expand access to 
and use of data for evidence building.
  It also includes the OPEN Government Data Act that Representative 
Kilmer and I introduced. The OPEN Government Data Act addresses the 
Commission's recommendation to expand access to information about data. 
The OPEN Government Data Act requires Federal agencies to develop a 
comprehensive inventory of Federal data and increases access to 
specific data assets that are appropriate for public release. This 
isn't personally identifiable, confidential, private, or classified 
information.
  It also establishes an open-by-default standard for Federal data, 
meaning data will be available under an open format and open license, 
and it will be

[[Page H9290]]

in a machine-readable format. We are going to crowdsource some of this 
evidence building. We are going to let the private sector or nonprofits 
or whomever access this data, find ways to use it, build data, and, 
again, get more bang for the taxpayer's dollar.
  The bill further improves data management and collection by codifying 
the position of chief data officer and clarifying the CDO roles and 
responsibilities.
  Finally, H.R. 4174 establishes a process by which statistical 
agencies can access data, ensure effective and consistent privacy 
protections, and develop methods to reduce the sensitivity of data. 
This will expand opportunities for use of the data by the evidence-
building community.
  The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017 was 
reported favorably out of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform.
  I come back to the bottom line on this: Americans expect policymakers 
to make decisions based on facts. And decisions based on facts are 
better decisions that will save taxpayer money and be good for America. 
H.R. 4174 will help make these expectations a reality.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Imagine you are a coder and you have a great idea for an app that 
predicts the weather or identifies traffic flows or helps people 
navigate the social service system. You know how to code the app, but 
you can't afford to set up your own system to collect the data--the 
weather data or the traffic data or what have you.
  Now, imagine you build the app and you can pull data that the 
government is already collecting so you can build the app and use the 
data. It turns out that you have got something that is either good at 
predicting the weather or helping commuters or helping folks navigate 
the social services system or whatever and it grows into a business. 
You can actually employ people. You can put people to work. A project 
that may have started as a hobby could become your life's work.
  The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, and specifically 
title II of this bill called the OPEN Government Data Act, will 
actually help make stories like that become a common thing. This bill 
gives entrepreneurs and innovators huge amounts of publicly funded data 
so that they can innovate and come up with applications that we haven't 
even thought of yet.
  It also means that government agencies can share data more easily and 
ultimately provide services more effectively. Most importantly, it 
allows citizens to participate in their government by making government 
more transparent and accountable.
  Mr. Speaker, data is the spark that drives innovative ideas, and I 
drafted the OPEN Government Data Act with Representatives Farenthold 
and Senators Schatz and Sasse to support new startups by providing 
innovators with the legal elbow room to use public information and 
public data and to create jobs. It reduces the burden to entry by 
lowering the cost to access and format data. It will open new business 
opportunities.
  Making more government data public will pump up the data analytics 
boom currently driving new innovation, and I expect that access to this 
data will lead to things that we haven't even thought up yet.
  I am proud to work with Speaker Ryan, Chairman Gowdy, and Senator 
Murray to incorporate that bill into this broader legislation. It will 
help us measure how government programs are actually working or not.
  Establishing a data inventory will help government officials 
understand what data they have so that they can use it, and they don't 
duplicate work that is already getting done.
  Making the government's data searchable and accessible will help 
public servants make better decisions, and it will help the public and 
the press hold government more accountable.
  Let me give you an example. Mr. Speaker, I represent more military 
veterans than just about any Member of this body. Like many of us, I 
was horrified to learn several years ago that the Department of 
Veterans Affairs was struggling to provide the services and treatments 
that were earned by military veterans. Now imagine if the House 
Veterans' Affairs Committee or the Government Accountability Office or 
even the VA had access to some of the data around wait times earlier. 
The pain caused to veterans and their families could have been avoided.
  Imagine if the leaders of the Veterans Administration knew that 
newspapers were going to have access to that data, whether it be the 
Kitsap Sun in my district or The New York Times or whoever. Imagine 
that they were looking at that data, too.
  It is time for government to move into the 21st century and start 
using the data it is collecting to improve the services it is 
providing.
  Let me just speak briefly about what this bill does. This gets a 
little wonky, but I actually think it is pretty important. This 
legislation sets up a way for everyone to use the government's data. We 
spent a long time working to make sure that the terms used in the bill 
didn't trap government policy in this year or this decade. We hope that 
this legislation will act as a building block for future technologies 
and applications of Federal data.
  We included some important pieces to ensure that data is not only 
available, but that it is easily used. Data has to be machine-readable. 
Many of us, I think, have gone on the internet and gotten a data set in 
PDF form that you can't really do anything with. It is so annoying. It 
is pretty obvious that in 2017 you should be able to use your computer 
to find what you are looking for.
  Data has to be open format, and data should be malleable. 
Professionals inside and outside of government should be able to use 
that data in various ways. Government data should be provided under an 
open license. If the government owns the data, that means the people 
paid for it, and they should be able to use it for free.
  Let me quickly talk about what this bill doesn't do.
  The bill does not take away safeguards that protect personal privacy, 
national security, and intellectual property. The legislation would not 
affect existing contracts, so the government is not going to go to 
a contractor and say: Oh, by the way, your data is now free and 
available to the public.

  Importantly, the bill does not alter the government's need to pay for 
private data rights in the future when it identifies private data that 
it may want to access and have ownership of. This bill only applies to 
data that is owned and controlled by the Federal Government. It does 
not provide an advantage to one sector or technology over another.
  Mr. Speaker, let me just say in closing, for the past 2 years, 
several of us have worked on this issue and with experts throughout the 
private and public sector to get this bill past the finish line. I am 
proud to stand here today in support of a bipartisan bill that can move 
our economy forward, that can improve efficiency in our government, and 
can help citizens get more involved in our democratic republic.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues' support of this bill.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Mitchell), who is on the Oversight and Government Reform 
Committee.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4174, the 
Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017.
  I am pleased to see the bill's sponsors and the Speaker move forward 
with the reforms proposed by the Commission on Evidence-Based 
Policymaking.
  H.R. 4174 aims to create and use technology to assess and solve 
problems; in other words, to make sure tools exist to gauge whether 
programs work to best serve the American people. It is about utilizing 
the data we already have to find out what works, what doesn't work, and 
what could work for some changes.
  The bill requires agencies to develop evidence-building plans, key 
outcomes and return investment for the money the taxpayers pay, and 
creates the position of a chief evaluation officer. Imagine that, we 
have to actually create a position to evaluate because we

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aren't doing it effectively now. It establishes an advisory committee 
to study the Commission's recommendation that Congress create a 
National Secure Data Service. It includes the OPEN Government Data Act, 
which ensures that government aggregate data is available to consumers 
in a usable format.
  As my colleague said on the other side of the aisle, to make the data 
malleable, to make the data open format so that, in fact, people can 
assess not just in government agencies, but out in the public what the 
data is saying about the programs that they pay for that we fund.
  Finally, the bill also creates procedures to share that data across 
Federal agencies and to require protection of individual data that 
makes up all that aggregate data.
  All of these provisions are critical to setting our government on a 
path toward better serving the people in this country. Washington can 
no longer assess quality based on how much money we dump into programs, 
how many people we enroll--outcomes that don't tell us whether or not 
they are succeeding. This can only be done with quality, accessible 
data.
  By allowing key data to be connected and reported, we can build 
evidence to determine what does and doesn't work. More importantly, the 
American people can see the evidence of what does and doesn't work 
rather than just bureaucrats in Washington.
  I would also like to point out how the reforms are working here to 
lay the foundation for government and Congress to create new policies 
that apply this information in novel ways.
  This act, in its call for transparent, efficient, and well-designed 
data systems, dovetails with other efforts in Congress for transparency 
and sharing data.
  A bill I am working on, the College Transparency Act, would do just 
that for student data and outcomes data from colleges and universities 
to better enable students and families to make more informed decisions 
on one of the most important part of their lives: what postsecondary 
education they pursue and what the outcome will be.

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  This bill, and my bill, streamlines and updates higher education 
information. It is time to utilize and make meaning out of all the data 
we currently have and provide that to the taxpayers.
  The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act and the College 
Transparency Act both share a few critical goals of the Commission on 
Evidence-Based Policymaking:
  First is the protection of the privacy of individuals that may be 
reflected in the data. That is the first priority.
  Second is the recommendation that information be more readily shared 
across agencies. Agencies actually will share what they already know 
about programs.
  Third is that agencies develop a strategy to share this data with the 
public who pays for those programs.
  These provisions are fundamental to responsibly and effectively 
utilizing the data that the taxpayers pay for. The Foundations for 
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act sets in motion these commonsense 
policies that will increase the return on investment for the taxpayers 
and the outcomes of our programs.
  The compartmentalization of data the government already collects and 
barriers that prevent the reasonable sharing of it represent a 
significant missed opportunity for the government to provide value to 
taxpayers.
  It amazes me that we had to create a commission to tell us to share 
this data. Taxpayers have already paid for it. Why aren't we already 
using it?
  Long term, these plans are essential. I urge my colleagues to support 
the bill.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I will be brief.
  This is a good government bill with bipartisan, bicameral support 
that will give Americans access to the data that they have paid for, 
will give lawmakers access to the data they need to make decisions, and 
will give policymakers and leadership in the executive branch the data 
they need to make better decisions to save taxpayers money and to do a 
better job at the things that we are trying to do in government.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4174, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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