Bill Overview
Title: Territories Statistics Collection Equity Act
Description: This bill requires implementation of a plan for federal agencies to collect and publish statistics regarding the U.S. territories in the same manner as statistics are collected and reported for the states. Specifically, the bill directs the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy to publish a list and assessment of existing federal statistical programs that collect and publish data for the U.S. territories comparable to the states. The council must submit to Congress a plan to collect and publish statistics regarding the territories in the same manner as statistics are collected and reported by federal agencies for the states. The council, in coordination with agencies, must implement the plan no later than four years after enactment of this bill.
Sponsors: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of U.S. territories
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill focuses on U.S. territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
- The total population of U.S. territories (including Puerto Rico) is over 3.5 million people, with Puerto Rico accounting for approximately 3.1 million of that total.
- The absence of consistent statistical collection practices for these territories can lead to disparities in resource allocation and policy-making.
- Providing equity in statistics collection will impact residents by potentially enhancing their representation in federal statistics and policies.
Reasoning
- The budget constraints of $35,000,000 in the first year and $102,500,000 over 10 years suggest that the policy will focus on establishing consistent data collection frameworks and tools, which might not directly change individual wellbeing initially but can lead to systemic improvements over time.
- The territories targeted by this policy have historically been underrepresented in federal statistical data, leading to a potential gap in federal resource allocation and policymaking support compared to states.
- Most of the impact of this policy will be systemic and indirect, improving representation and eventual policymaking for residents of the territories.
- Residents in other parts of the U.S. might not feel a direct impact from this policy due to its specific focus, but the change paves the way for more inclusive data practices nationwide.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe having better statistical data can improve our community schools since decisions will be based on accurate information now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time data collection includes us like it does for the states. This can only help business planning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Data Analyst (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a necessary change for better representation in data but won't impact me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Health Worker (Guam)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this will bring more insights into health disparities here, leading to better policies and funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (New York, New York)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a vital step in ensuring all Americans, regardless of where they live, have equitable data representation. But it doesn't change my day-to-day.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Northern Mariana Islands)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Accurate statistics could help portray the real story of our islands and lead to better opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Social Worker (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this policy will bring attention to the unique challenges faced in U.S. territories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Fisherman (American Samoa)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better statistics might help get us more visibility and development opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Public Health Researcher (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a promising move for data equity, but won't impact my personal wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
University Student (Houston, Texas)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Understanding more about how data collection could change is interesting, but doesn't impact me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $30000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $38000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $32000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Implementation relies on coordination between multiple federal agencies, which could face operational challenges.
- Potential delay in the full realization of benefits due to the complexity of overhauling current data systems to include territories.
- The cost-effectiveness of collecting data at the same level as states versus a tailored approach for territories.