House bill addresses disparities in data collection for U.S. Territories

Washington, D.C. — The bipartisan House Resolution 8593, the Territories Statistics Collection Equity Act, was introduced late last week to address disparities in available data and data collection methods relating to the U.S. Territories.

Led by House Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) he was joined by the delegates of the five U.S Territories—Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI), Rep. Michael San Nicolas (D-Guam), Rep. Jenniffer González Colón, (R-Puerto Rico), and Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI)

The U.S. Territories are disadvantaged by the unavailability of current population, economic, labor force, and agricultural data. This disparity is due, in part, to inconsistent methods for collecting data among federal agencies. In addition, crises such as hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have disproportionately impacted the territories, have resulted in significant data collection challenges. The lack of parity in available data related to the territories impedes government and advocacy groups from making informed decisions for residents. Improving data collection regarding the territories is critical for developing a deeper understanding of existing concerns and identifying new policy opportunities.

The Territories Statistics Collection Equity Act directs the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) to develop a plan to collect and publish statistics regarding the U.S. Territories in the same manner as states. The ICSP allows the Office of Management and Budget to receive direct participation from the principal statistical agencies and facilitates coordination across numerous federal statistical systems.

Specifically, the Territories Statistics Collection Equity Act requires the ISCP to do the following:

1. Within six months of the bill’s enactment, publish a list and assessment of existing federal statistical programs that collect and publish data for the U.S. Territories comparable to the States, with explanations of any absence of a comparable program for the territories, impediments to data collection in the territories, and the level of government participation required.

2. Submit a plan to collect and publish statistics regarding territories within one year of the bill’s enactment. The plan will include recommendations for including the territories in these programs and cost estimates for implementing necessary changes.

3. Submit a report of the plan and its implementation within two years of the bill’s enactment, and every year thereafter until the plan is fully implemented.

4. In coordination with appropriate federal agencies, fully implement the plan within four years of the bill’s enactment.

In April, Chair Grijalva and the territorial delegates sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting a review of the data collection gaps related to the U.S. Territories.

 “Policymakers rely on data to make informed decisions to improve our communities,” said Chair Grijalva. “Gaps in data for certain populations, which have been exacerbated by natural disasters and COVID-19, are especially glaring for the U.S. Territories. This legislation would identify where and why these gaps exist and put a plan in place to make sure the territories are included in major data collection activities moving forward. This is an important step in making sure residents’ experiences and needs do not continue to be overlooked.”

 “Better data can be an enormous benefit to decision making in the territories, the Congress and federal agencies, especially in accurately identifying all federal direct program and grant assistance funds,” said Rep. Aumua Amata. “We can learn from clearer statistics ranging from economics to health care, and I appreciate Chairman Grijalva’s leadership in rectifying this need.”