Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018

This bill will significantly change how the government collects and uses data, focusing on organization, accessibility, privacy, and collaboration. Key points include:

1. New Designated Officers: Each government agency will appoint a Chief Data Officer and an Evaluation Officer to manage data effectively and ensure fair use.

2. Comprehensive Data Inventory: Agencies must maintain a detailed list of all collected data, enhancing transparency about available information.

3. Improved Accessibility: The bill mandates that most government data be made publicly available in easy-to-use formats, promoting public access and involvement in suggesting data priorities.

4. Sharing and Collaboration: Agencies are encouraged to share data and best practices, enhancing cooperation and the accuracy of information while ensuring personal information remains confidential.

5. Technology and Innovation: The government will seek new technologies to optimize data collection and use, and it will hold competitions to drive innovative applications of public data.

6. Regular Reporting: Agencies must provide regular reports on their data management practices and adherence to new rules.

7. Privacy Protections: The bill includes provisions to safeguard individuals' privacy, ensuring that identifiable personal information is not disclosed while statistical data is utilized.

8. Repeal of Old Protections: The legislation repeals an older law related to statistical data confidentiality, indicating a shift in how such data will be handled.

Overall, the bill aims to streamline data management, enhance accessibility and usability of government data, and ensure that privacy concerns are respected, balancing greater transparency with the necessary protections for individuals. There are no noted contradictions among the various points provided.

An Evaluation Officer is a designated individual within federal agencies responsible for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency’s operations. Their primary roles include gathering and analyzing data related to programs and policies to assess their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Evaluation Officers work collaboratively with other leaders and across different agencies to share best practices and ensure that proper methods are employed for data collection and sharing.

In addition to evaluating program effectiveness, the Evaluation Officer oversees the management of information for statistical purposes, ensuring that data is used correctly and safeguarded against improper sharing. They are tasked with following strict rules to protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals' information, and any violations of these rules can lead to significant penalties, such as fines or imprisonment.

The overarching goal of the Evaluation Officer is to optimize decision-making within the agency, ultimately enhancing the agency's ability to serve the public effectively. Overall, they play a vital role in ensuring that data-driven insights are leveraged appropriately while maintaining individual privacy.

The bill outlines regulations regarding how the government manages and shares data, aiming to improve transparency while also ensuring the protection of individuals' privacy. It establishes a process for agencies to request and share data, and while there may be some public access to this data, it does not guarantee that all government data will be available for everyone to see.

Certain data, particularly that which contains personal or sensitive information, will not be disclosed in a manner that could identify specific individuals or businesses. Although the government plans to create lists detailing the data collected and its intended use, privacy and security rules will restrict access to sensitive information.

The bill indicates the establishment of a system for the public to apply for access to certain government data, inclusive of standard rules and an appeal process for denied requests. Overall, while there is potential for public access to some data, significant restrictions will remain in place, particularly concerning sensitive information, meaning that not all government data will be accessible.

This bill is designed to enhance policy-making in your community by improving data usage and sharing among government agencies. Here are the key components of the legislation:

1. Data Transparency: Each government agency is required to send yearly reports to Congress about their data. This ensures transparency and accountability in how agencies handle and utilize data.

2. Chief Data Officers: Each agency will appoint a Chief Data Officer responsible for managing data effectively. This creates a dedicated role focused on optimizing data usage for better decision-making.

3. Data Evaluation: Agencies will regularly analyze their programs to assess effectiveness. This evaluation process helps identify successful initiatives and areas that need improvement.

4. Open Data Access: The bill encourages agencies to provide open access to previously inaccessible data. This allows community members, local governments, and researchers to access important information, leading to informed policy decisions.

5. Expert Advisory Team: A team of experts will be established to provide guidance on improving data sharing while considering privacy concerns and technological advancements. This ensures the reliability of the information being shared.

6. Community Engagement: Policy-makers will actively solicit input from community members and local leaders when developing plans. This inclusive approach aims to refine data sharing strategies based on community needs.

7. Organized Data Lists: Agencies must maintain organized inventories of their available data, promoting awareness about what information exists and how it can be utilized in policy-making.

Overall, this bill seeks to create a more transparent and data-driven environment for policy-making, encouraging the development of better programs and policies that can directly benefit your community.

The bill outlines a comprehensive approach to data collection aimed at addressing important policy questions and improving decision-making across government agencies. Here are the key points:

1. Policy-Relevant Questions: Agencies are expected to identify significant questions that will guide their decisions regarding policies.

2. Data Collection Inventory: Agencies will compile a comprehensive list of all data they currently collect, including methods of collection and usage, to better manage and understand their data sources.

3. Types of Data: The bill emphasizes collecting diverse data relevant to improving policies on various topics, especially the economy and technology. This includes business data shared among agencies such as the Bureau of the Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis, while ensuring the confidentiality of business identities.

4. Sensitivity Levels: There will be an assessment of the sensitivity of the collected data, addressing privacy concerns by establishing rules to protect individual identities.

5. Evaluation and Usage: Agencies will analyze how effectively they use the data to answer policy questions and identify potential improvements. This includes examining how people, both inside and outside the agency, utilize government data, as well as addressing any issues related to data quality and accuracy.

6. Challenges: The bill requires agencies to identify any challenges they might face in collecting data or adhering to existing regulations regarding data management.

7. Training and Technology: To enhance data collection and sharing, agencies will provide training to employees and explore new technologies.

In summary, the legislation promotes a structured framework for data collection and analysis, prioritizing the protection of sensitive information while focusing on the effective evaluation of policies related to the economy, technology, and public data use. There are no contradictions noted in the responses, and the summary encapsulates all major points without indicating a lack of information.

The bill aims to protect private information through a series of structured measures. Key points include:

1. Chief Data Officers: Every government agency will have a Chief Data Officer responsible for ensuring proper data handling and improving data collection and usage strategies.

2. Confidentiality and Rules: Agencies must adhere to rules that protect personal information from unauthorized sharing. Clear definitions are provided to distinguish between public data and private data, and strict penalties are imposed for unauthorized disclosure, including fines and possible imprisonment.

3. Sensitive Data Protection: There are specific protections for sensitive information, which include evaluating how the combination of different data pieces might pose privacy risks.

4. Data Inventories and Restrictions: Each agency is required to maintain a detailed inventory of the data they possess, which helps in managing and safeguarding personal information. Rules are in place to limit data sharing, requiring strict compliance if certain data is designated as private or sensitive.

5. Evaluation Officers: Each agency will appoint an Evaluation Officer tasked with monitoring data protection practices and ensuring compliance with privacy guidelines.

6. Public Access to Data: The bill outlines how the public can access data while also clearly indicating which data is restricted due to privacy concerns.

Overall, the bill establishes a comprehensive framework to safeguard personal information by ensuring careful handling, specific guidelines for sharing data, and oversight mechanisms.

If a federal agency doesn't follow the new rules in this bill, the Chief Data Officer of that agency is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the agency's compliance with the bill's requirements, including which rules were not followed and what actions are needed for compliance. This reporting process aims to keep Congress informed and could lead to increased scrutiny or pressure on the agency.

Additionally, there are serious consequences for failing to protect confidential information. Employees or agents of the agency who neglect this obligation could face a class E felony charge, which carries penalties of imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

However, some sections of the bill do not clearly delineate penalties or specific consequences for noncompliance, focusing instead on improvements in data sharing and officials' responsibilities. This lack of clarity raises uncertainties about fully understanding the implications of not adhering to the rules established by the legislation. Therefore, while there are serious consequences mentioned, the overall framework of enforcement might not be fully articulated in the provided sections.

The bill outlines several ways for people outside the government to be involved in the data evaluation process, although it does not provide exhaustive details on their level of engagement. Key points include:

1. Advisory Committee: The bill establishes an Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building, which includes at least 10 members from state and local governments, as well as various groups knowledgeable about government data. This committee will play a role in advising on data usage and improvements.

2. Public Consultation: The Chief Data Officer Council will solicit input from both public and private users of government data, allowing outside individuals and organizations to share their perspectives on how data can be better utilized and disseminated.

3. Contractors and Researchers: The legislation allows for the hiring of external researchers and consultants to assist in data analysis. These outside professionals must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the security and privacy of the data.

Overall, while the bill provides avenues for external participation through committees, public feedback, and external contracts, the specific mechanisms for non-government involvement are not fully detailed, leaving some ambiguity regarding their exact roles.