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2.14 Evidence-Based Policy Making Act (2018)

Establishes processes for the federal government to modernize data management practices, evidence- building functions, and statistical efficiency. (CIO. Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018.)

The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (or OPEN Government Data Act, Pub.L. 115–435) is a United States law that requires the federal government to modernize its data management practices.

The bill requires agencies to submit annually to [OMB] and Congress a systematic plan for identifying and addressing policy questions. The plan must include, among other things:

• Questions for developing evidence to support policymaking;
• Data the agency intends to collect, use, or acquire to facilitate the use of evidence in policymaking;
• Methods and analytical approaches that may be used to develop evidence to support policymaking; and
• Challenges to developing evidence to support policymaking, including any statutory or other restrictions to accessing relevant data.

Each agency shall designate a senior employee as Evaluation Officer to coordinate evidence-building activities and an official with statistical expertise to advise on statistical policy, techniques, and procedures.