Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (31 Oct 2017): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
What this bill does
The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017 would amend federal law to require agencies to improve how they use data and evidence in decision-making. It would require agency heads to develop and publish annual four-year "evidence-building plans" identifying policy questions, data needs, and evaluation methods, and would create governmentwide coordination structures, including an Interagency Council on Evaluation Policy and required "Chief Evaluation Officers" and statistical officials at each agency. It also establishes an Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building to recommend ways to expand access to federal data. A separate title, the OPEN Government Data Act, would amend federal statute to define terms like "open Government data asset," "machine-readable," and "metadata," and direct the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance so agencies make data open by default, while accounting for privacy, security, and legal restrictions.
The bill primarily affects federal executive branch agencies, requiring new planning, reporting, and personnel designations, and indirectly affects researchers, state and local governments, and members of the public who use federal data, by aiming to make government data more accessible and evidence more central to policymaking.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on October 31, 2017, by Senator Patty Murray and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. According to the Congressional Research Service, this bill itself was not enacted as standalone legislation; instead, its provisions were incorporated into other bills that were later enacted into law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017
This bill requires departments and agencies identified in the Chief Financial Officers Act to submit annually to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress a plan for identifying and addressing policy questions relevant to the programs, policies, and regulations of such departments and agencies.The plan must include: (1) a list of policy-relevant questions for developing evidence to support policymaking, and (2) a list of data for facilitating the use of evidence in policymaking.
The OMB shall consolidate such plans into a unified evidence building plan.
The bill provides statutory authority for the Interagency Council on Evaluation Policy. The council assists the OMB in supporting government-wide evaluation activities and policies. The bill defines "evaluation" to mean an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.
Each department or agency shall designate a Chief Evaluation Officer to coordinate evidence-building activities and an official with statistical expertise to advise on statistical policy, techniques, and procedures.
The OMB shall establish an Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building to advise on expanding access to and use of federal data for evidence building.
Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act or the OPEN Government Data Act
This bill requires open government data assets to be published as machine-readable data.
Timeline
31 Oct 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Common questions
- What does S. 2046 do?
- The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2017 would amend federal law to require agencies to improve how they use data and evidence in decision-making. It would require agency heads to develop and publish annual four-year "evidence-building plans" identifying policy questions, data needs, and evaluation methods, and would create governmentwide coordination structures, including an Interagency Council on Evaluation Policy and required "Chief Evaluation Officers" and statistical officials at each agency. It also establishes an Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building to recommend ways to expand access to federal data. A separate title, the OPEN Government Data Act, would amend federal statute to define terms like "open Government data asset," "machine-readable," and "metadata," and direct the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance so agencies make data open by default, while accounting for privacy, security, and legal restrictions. The bill primarily affects federal executive branch agencies, requiring new planning, reporting, and personnel designations, and indirectly affects researchers, state and local governments, and members of the public who use federal data, by aiming to make government data more accessible and evidence more central to policymaking. The bill was introduced in the Senate on October 31, 2017, by Senator Patty Murray and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. According to the Congressional Research Service, this bill itself was not enacted as standalone legislation; instead, its provisions were incorporated into other bills that were later enacted into law.
- Has S. 2046 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2046. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2046?
- S. 2046 was sponsored by Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (D-WA), with 6 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2046?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (31 Oct 2017).
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