HR2307-119

What This Bill Does

This bill establishes the Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service Modernization. The commission must study NASS and recommend how to modernize and streamline data collection to improve reported statistics, account for national, regional, and local production differences, adopt technologies that reduce the number of surveys, improve producer response rates and reduce survey fatigue, improve transparency through collaboration with agricultural stakeholders, use more real-time statistical and environmental data, and improve timely specialty crop data. The 11 members include the NASS Administrator, Economic Research Service Administrator, USDA Chief Economist, World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair, a Bureau of Labor Statistics representative, and six members appointed by House and Senate agriculture committee leaders. Members must be appointed within 60 days; the first meeting occurs within 60 days after appointments; the commission reports to the President and agriculture committees within two years; it can hold hearings, collect stakeholder feedback, secure federal agency information, use the mails, and receive USDA office and support services. The commission terminates September 30, 2030, and $1 million is authorized for fiscal year 2026 until expended.

Who Benefits and How

Agricultural producers benefit if NASS surveys become less burdensome, more transparent, and more responsive to regional production differences. Specialty crop growers benefit from a required focus on improving timely data for the specialty crop industry. Agricultural economists benefit from recommendations to improve statistical quality and use real-time environmental data. USDA data agencies benefit from a structured review involving NASS, ERS, the Chief Economist, and the World Agricultural Outlook Board. Congressional agriculture committees benefit from a two-year modernization report and recommended administrative, regulatory, or legislative changes.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Commission members must study NASS, hold hearings, collect stakeholder feedback, and produce recommendations within two years. USDA support staff must provide office space, administrative services, and agency information to the commission. Federal agency heads must provide information directly to the commission when requested. NASS survey managers may need to change collection practices if the commission's recommendations are adopted. Federal taxpayers fund the $1 million fiscal year 2026 authorization and member travel or compensation costs.

Key Provisions

• Creates an 11-member Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service Modernization.
• Requires study of survey modernization, producer response rates, survey fatigue, stakeholder confidence, real-time data, and specialty crop data.
• Requires appointments within 60 days and a first meeting within 60 days after appointments.
• Requires a report to the President and congressional agriculture committees within two years.
• Authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and terminates the commission on September 30, 2030.