HR5743-119

What This Bill Does

The One Citizen, One Seat Act changes how states must use 2020 census population data for grant-related purposes. The Commerce Secretary must revise the total population tabulation by state from the 2020 decennial census to include only U.S. citizens. Within 60 days after enactment, Commerce must provide each state its revised citizen-only tabulation. Beginning 60 days after a state receives that revised number, no federal grant may be awarded to the state unless the state uses only the revised citizen-only tabulation for every purpose for which it previously would have used the total population tabulation, and does not use the original total population tabulation except as revised. The bill therefore ties federal grant eligibility to replacing total-population census numbers with citizen-only counts in state uses.

Who Benefits and How

Advocates for citizen-only apportionment benefit because states must use citizen-only 2020 census tabulations for covered purposes. States with higher citizen shares may benefit in formulas or planning contexts that shift when noncitizens are excluded. Commerce census officials benefit from a clear statutory directive to produce the revised state tabulations. Federal grant administrators benefit from an explicit grant condition to enforce.

Who Bears the Burden and How

States with larger noncitizen populations may lose grant eligibility or formula advantages if they do not use the revised tabulation. State budget offices must replace total-population tabulations with citizen-only data to preserve grant eligibility. Commerce census staff must produce and distribute revised 2020 state tabulations within 60 days. Federal agencies awarding grants must monitor state compliance with the tabulation condition.

Key Provisions

• Requires Commerce to revise 2020 state population tabulations to include only U.S. citizens.
• Requires Commerce to provide each state the revised tabulation within 60 days after enactment.
• Blocks federal grants to states that do not use the revised tabulation for covered purposes.
• Requires states to stop using the original total population tabulation where the revised tabulation applies.