Overview
Title
To amend title 13, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a mid-decade census of population for the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The Insular Area Mid-decade Census Act is a plan to count the number of people living in four U.S. territories, like Guam, every ten years starting in 2035, to make sure there is good information about how many people live there.
Summary AI
H.R. 10054 aims to amend title 13 of the United States Code to require the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a mid-decade population census for the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This mid-decade census will occur every 10 years starting in 2035. The bill is called the "Insular Area Mid-decade Census Act" and was introduced by Mr. Sablan and Mrs. Radewagen, then referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, known as the "Insular Area Mid-decade Census Act", seeks to amend the United States Code to mandate a mid-decade census for specific U.S. territories. Introduced in the House of Representatives on October 25, 2024, by Mr. Sablan and Mrs. Radewagen, this bill specifically targets the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The bill outlines a plan for the Secretary of Commerce to conduct these censuses every ten years starting in 2035, in addition to the regular decennial census.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the main issues identified in the bill is the potential increase in government spending due to the additional census activities scheduled for 2035 and every ten years following. While the bill mandates these mid-decade censuses, it does not provide a justification or clear rationale for why these territories require additional census data collection outside the standard decennial cycle.
Furthermore, the bill lacks details on the logistics, implications, and resource requirements for implementing these new census initiatives. This absence of information might lead to concerns about the feasibility and practicality of executing these mid-decade censuses effectively.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, this bill could affect both the territories in question and American taxpayers. The increased frequency of censuses in these U.S. territories might yield more accurate, timely demographic data that can better inform public policy, infrastructure needs, and economic development plans tailored to these regions. However, the financial implications of carrying out these additional censuses might also strain federal resources, leading to budget reallocations that could impact other programs or initiatives.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the Territories: The residents of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands might benefit from more frequent demographic data, potentially leading to better-targeted federal and local government services and programs. Accurate data can play a crucial role in advocating for the needs of these territories on a national stage.
For the U.S. Government: Federal agencies, particularly the Department of Commerce, would need to allocate additional resources and manpower to conduct these censuses. The preparations, execution, and analysis of data from these mid-decade censuses would likely require substantial logistical planning and financial investment.
For Policymakers: Without a clear rationale presented in the bill, legislators and stakeholders may find it challenging to assess the necessity and effectiveness of these mid-term censuses. Clarification regarding the anticipated benefits could be critical for garnering support and understanding the strategic intentions behind this legislative proposal.
In summary, while the bill presents opportunities for improved data collection in U.S. territories, it also raises questions about the financial and logistical readiness of the government to implement such measures. Addressing these concerns could be crucial in advancing the bill and ensuring its successful impact.
Issues
The bill mandates a mid-decade census beginning in 2035 and then every 10 years thereafter for the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, potentially increasing government spending due to the additional census cycle. This financial implication may raise questions and concerns over budget allocations. (Section 2)
The absence of specific reasoning or justification in the bill for why these territories require a mid-decade census might lead to questions regarding the necessity and objectives of the bill, potentially making it difficult to garner support without a clear rationale. (Section 2)
The bill does not address the potential implications or required resources for conducting additional censuses. This omission may raise concerns about the practicality and feasibility of implementing the bill without a well-defined plan for resource allocation and execution. (Section 2)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act states that it can be referred to as the “Insular Area Mid-decade Census Act.”
2. Census for the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill amends Title 13, Section 141 of the United States Code to schedule a mid-decade census for 2035 and every ten years after, specifically for the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.