# Puerto Rico Data Collection Equality Act

Right now, Puerto Rico is treated differently than the 50 states when it comes to how the federal government collects and reports statistics about the economy, employment, and population. This bill aims to fix that by requiring federal agencies to gather and publish information about Puerto Rico using the same methods and standards they use for every other state.

Currently, Puerto Rico's economic data isn't fully included in national statistics. For example, when the government calculates the total unemployment rate for the United States or measures the country's overall economic output, Puerto Rico's numbers are often left out or handled separately. This bill would change that by requiring federal agencies like the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to include Puerto Rico in all their regular surveys and reports, just like they do for Texas, Florida, or any other state. It would also mean Puerto Rico's economic data gets counted in the nation's overall gross domestic product calculations and other key economic measures.

The bill also addresses a specific reporting requirement that currently applies to shipments between Puerto Rico and the mainland. Companies have to file detailed export information for these shipments, which is used to calculate Puerto Rico's economic statistics. The bill asks federal agencies to develop a plan to phase out this requirement and find better ways to measure Puerto Rico's economy without it.

To make this happen, the bill requires federal agencies to create a detailed action plan within two years and then report back to Congress every two years after that, explaining what they're doing to bring Puerto Rico fully into the federal statistical system. The goal is straightforward: treat Puerto Rico like any other part of the United States when it comes to how we measure and understand the economy and population.

Puerto Rico Data Collection Equality Act

González-Colón, Jenniffer

Puerto Rico Data Collection Equality Act This bill addresses the collection and publication of statistics relating to Puerto Rico. Specifically, the bill requires the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy to develop and implement a plan to collect and publish statistics regarding Puerto Rico in the same manner as federal agencies collect and report statistics for the states.