H.R. 2307: To establish the Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service Modernization to modernize the data collection and reporting processes of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and for other purposes.

The bill establishes a new body called the **Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service Modernization**. The purpose of this commission is to analyze and suggest improvements to the data collection and reporting processes of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The commission will address the following key areas:

Study Focus

• Modernizing and streamlining data collection methods to enhance:
• Quality of reported statistics.
• Consideration of differences in agricultural production at national, regional, and local levels.
• Adoption of new technologies that can minimize the frequency of surveys.
• Improving response rates from producers and minimizing survey fatigue.
• Increasing transparency and nurturing confidence in statistical reports through collaboration with agricultural stakeholders.
• Incorporating real-time statistical and environmental data alongside traditional survey data.
• Enhancing timeliness of data on specialty crops.
• Determining how to implement the suggested modernizations and estimating the associated costs.

Commission Composition

The commission will be made up of 11 members, including:

• The Administrator of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
• The Administrator of the Economic Research Service.
• The Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture.
• The Chair of the World Agricultural Outlook Board.
• A representative from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Three members appointed by the Senate’s Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
• Three members appointed by the House Committee on Agriculture.

Appointment and Term

Members must be appointed within 60 days of the bill's enactment, and their term lasts for the duration of the commission. If any member leaves, a vacancy can be filled similarly to the original appointment process.

Meetings and Reporting

The commission is required to hold its first meeting within 60 days of its full member appointments. A report detailing the findings of the study must be submitted within two years of the bill becoming law. This report will include:

• An inventory of existing surveys by NASS and their frequencies.
• Recommendations for possible administrative, regulatory, and legislative changes.

Engagement and Information Gathering

The commission will engage with agricultural stakeholders to gather feedback, and it will be able to request information from other federal agencies as necessary to carry out its work. The commission has the authority to use U.S. mail and is provided administrative support by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Compensation

Members who are not federal employees will receive compensation equivalent to a set government pay level for their service. Federal employee members will not receive additional pay but can claim travel expenses while serving on the commission.

Funding and Duration

The bill allocates $1,000,000 for the commission's activities for the fiscal year 2026. The commission is set to operate until September 30, 2030.

Relevant Companies

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