This title has been made positive law by act Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1158, § 1, 68 Stat. 1012, which provided in part “That title 13 of the United States Code, entitled ‘Census’, is revised, codified, and enacted into law, and may be cited as ‘Title 13, United States Code, section—’ ”.
Act Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1158, § 3, 68 Stat. 1025, provided that:
“Whenever reference is made in any other law or in any regulation or order to the Census Office, such reference shall be held and considered to mean the Bureau of the Census referred to in section 2 of Title 13 , United States Code, as set out in section 1 of this Act. This section shall not be construed as affecting historical references to the Census Office which could have no present or future application to the Bureau of the Census.”
Act Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1158, § 4, 68 Stat. 1025, provided that:
“If any part of Title 13, United States Code, as set in section 1 of this Act, is held invalid, the remainder of such title shall not be affected thereby.”
Act Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1158, § 5, 68 Stat. 1025, provided that:
“No inference of a legislative construction is to be drawn by reason of the chapter in Title 13, United States Code, as set out in section 1 of this Act, in which any section is placed, nor by reason of the captions or catchlines used in such title.”
Act Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1158, § 6, 68 Stat. 1025, provided that:
“The provisions of this Act shall take effect on January 1, 1955 .”
Act Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1158, § 7, 68 Stat. 1025, provided that:
“The sections of the Acts, and the Acts or parts of Acts, enumerated in the following schedule, are hereby repealed. Any rights or liabilities now existing under such statutes or parts thereof, and any proceedings instituted under, or growing out of, any of such statutes or parts thereof, shall not be affected by this repeal.”
CHAPTER 1— ADMINISTRATION
“Director of the Government Publishing Office” substituted for “Public Printer” in item 7 on authority of section 1301(d) of Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.
SUBCHAPTER I— GENERAL PROVISIONS
As used in this title, unless the context requires another meaning or unless it is otherwise provided—
“Bureau” means the Bureau of the Census;
“Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce; and
“respondent” includes a corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, proprietorship, society, joint stock company, individual, or other organization or entity which reported information, or on behalf of which information was reported, in response to a questionnaire, inquiry, or other request of the Bureau.
Pub. L. 94–521, § 17, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2466, provided that:
“The amendments made by this Act [enacting sections 181 to 184 and 196 of this title, amending this section and sections 3 to 6, 8, 23, 141, 191, 195, 214, 221, 224, 225, and 241 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1976 , or on the date of the enactment of this Act [ Oct. 17, 1976 ], whichever date is later”.
Pub. L. 114–72, § 1, Oct. 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 566, provided that:
“This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under section 91 of this title ] may be cited as the ‘Quarterly Financial Report Reauthorization Act’.”
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. B, title XII, subtitle E, § 1251], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–505, provided that:
“This subtitle [amending section 301 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 301 of this title ] may be cited as the ‘Proliferation Prevention Enhancement Act of 1999’.”
Pub. L. 103–430, § 1, Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4393, provided that:
“This Act [enacting section 16 of this title , amending sections 9 and 214 of this title and section 412 of Title 39 , Postal Service, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 16 of this title ] may be cited as the ‘Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994’.”
Pub. L. 94–521, § 16, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2466, provided that:
“If a provision enacted by this Act [see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521 set out above] is held invalid, all valid provisions that are severable from the invalid provision remain in effect. If a provision of this Act [ Pub. L. 94–521 ] is held invalid in one or more of its applications, the provision remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid application or applications.”
The Bureau is continued as an agency within, and under the jurisdiction of, the Department of Commerce.
The Bureau shall have a seal containing such device as has been selected heretofore, or as the Secretary may select hereafter. A description of such seal with an impression thereof shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. The seal shall remain in the custody of the Secretary or such officer or employee of the Bureau as he designates, and shall be affixed to all documents authenticated by the Bureau. Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
The Secretary shall perform the functions and duties imposed upon him by this title, may issue such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out such functions and duties, and may delegate the performance of such functions and duties and the authority to issue such rules and regulations to such officers and employees of the Department of Commerce as he may designate.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
The Secretary shall prepare questionnaires, and shall determine the inquiries, and the number, form, and subdivisions thereof, for the statistics, surveys, and censuses provided for in this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 111–117, div. B, title I, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3115, provided in part:
“That none of the funds provided in this or any other Act for any fiscal year may be used for the collection of census data on race identification that does not include ‘some other race’ as a category”.
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 111–8, div. B, title I, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 562.
Pub. L. 110–161, div. B, title I, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 1887.
Pub. L. 109–108, title II, Nov. 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 2308.
Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title II, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2876.
The Secretary, whenever he considers it advisable, may call upon any other department, agency, or establishment of the Federal Government, or of the government of the District of Columbia, for information pertinent to the work provided for in this title.
The Secretary may acquire, by purchase or otherwise, from States, counties, cities, or other units of government, or their instrumentalities, or from private persons and agencies, such copies of records, reports, and other material as may be required for the efficient and economical conduct of the censuses and surveys provided for in this title.
To the maximum extent possible and consistent with the kind, timeliness, quality and scope of the statistics required, the Secretary shall acquire and use information available from any source referred to in subsection (a) or (b) of this section instead of conducting direct inquiries.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
The Secretary may make requisition upon the Director of the Government Publishing Office for miscellaneous printing necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. He may further have printed by the Director of the Government Publishing Office, in such editions as he deems necessary, preliminary and other census bulletins, and final reports of the results of the several investigations authorized by this title, and may publish and distribute such bulletins and reports.
“Director of the Government Publishing Office” substituted for “Public Printer” in section catchline and in two places in text on authority of section 1301(d) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.
The Secretary may, upon written request, furnish to any respondent, or to the heir, successor, or authorized agent of such respondent, authenticated transcripts or copies of reports (or portions thereof) containing information furnished by, or on behalf of, such respondent in connection with the surveys and census provided for in this title, upon payment of the actual or estimated cost of searching the records and furnishing such transcripts or copies.
Subject to the limitations contained in sections 6(c) and 9 of this title, the Secretary may furnish copies of tabulations and other statistical materials which do not disclose the information reported by, or on behalf of, any particular respondent, and may make special statistical compilations and surveys, for departments, agencies, and establishments of the Federal Government, the government of the District of Columbia, the government of any possession or area (including political subdivisions thereof) referred to in section 191(a) of this title, State or local agencies, or other public and private persons and agencies, upon payment of the actual or estimated cost of such work. In the case of nonprofit agencies or organizations, the Secretary may engage in joint statistical projects, the purpose of which are otherwise authorized by law, but only if the cost of such projects are shared equitably, as determined by the Secretary.
In no case shall information furnished under this section be used to the detriment of any respondent or other person to whom such information relates, except in the prosecution of alleged violations of this title.
All moneys received in payment for work or services enumerated under this section shall be deposited in a separate account which may be used to pay directly the costs of such work or services, to repay appropriations which initially bore all or part of such costs, or to refund excess sums when necessary.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Neither the Secretary, nor any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, or local government census liaison, may, except as provided in section 8 or 16 or chapter 10 of this title or section 210 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 or section 2(f) of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997—
No department, bureau, agency, officer, or employee of the Government, except the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of this title, shall require, for any reason, copies of census reports which have been retained by any such establishment or individual. Copies of census reports which have been so retained shall be immune from legal process, and shall not, without the consent of the individual or establishment concerned, be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any action, suit, or other judicial or administrative proceeding.
use the information furnished under the provisions of this title for any purpose other than the statistical purposes for which it is supplied; or
make any publication whereby the data furnished by any particular establishment or individual under this title can be identified; or
permit anyone other than the sworn officers and employees of the Department or bureau or agency thereof to examine the individual reports.
The provisions of subsection (a) of this section relating to the confidential treatment of data for particular individuals and establishments, shall not apply to the censuses of governments provided for by subchapter III of chapter 5 of this title, nor to interim current data provided for by subchapter IV of chapter 5 of this title as to the subjects covered by censuses of governments, with respect to any information obtained therefor that is compiled from, or customarily provided in, public records.
[Repealed]
There is authorized to be appropriated, out of the Treasury of the United States, such sums as may be necessary to carry out all provisions of this title.
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(a) [title II, § 210], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–41, provided that:
“There is hereby established the Bureau of the Census Working Capital Fund, which shall be available without fiscal year limitation, for expenses and equipment necessary for the maintenance and operation of such services and projects as the Director of the Census Bureau determines may be performed more advantageously when centralized: Provided , That such central services shall, to the fullest extent practicable, be used to make unnecessary the maintenance of separate like services in the divisions and offices of the Bureau: Provided further , That a separate schedule of expenditures and reimbursements, and a statement of the current assets and liabilities of the Working Capital Fund as of the close of the last completed fiscal year, shall be prepared each year: Provided further , That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302 , the Working Capital Fund may be credited with advances and reimbursements from applicable appropriations of the Bureau and from funds of other agencies or entities for services furnished pursuant to law: Provided further , That any inventories, equipment, and other assets pertaining to the services to be provided by such funds, either on hand or on order, less the related liabilities or unpaid obligations, and any appropriations made hereafter for the purpose of providing capital, shall be used to capitalize the Working Capital Fund: Provided further , That the Working Capital Fund shall provide for centralized services at rates which will return in full all expenses of operation, including depreciation of fund plant and equipment, amortization of automated data processing software and hardware systems, and an amount necessary to maintain a reasonable operating reserve as determined by the Director.”
The Secretary is authorized to have conducted mechanical and electronic development work as he determines is needed to further the functions and duties of carrying out the purposes of this title and may enter into such developmental contracts as he may determine to be in the best interest of the Government.
The Secretary shall have authority to contract with educational and other research organizations for the preparation of monographs and other reports and materials of a similar nature.
[Repealed]
Pub. L. 89–473, June 29, 1966, 80 Stat. 221, which repealed this section and struck out item 14 in the analysis of sections comprising this chapter, was itself repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, § 5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068.
The 15 percent limitation contained in section 322 1 1 See References in Text note below. of the Act of June 30, 1932 ( 47 Stat. 412 ) shall not apply to leases entered into by the Secretary for the purpose of carrying out the 1980 decennial census, but no lease may be entered into for such purpose at a rental in excess of 105 percent of the appraised fair annual rental of the leased premises, or a proportionate part of the appraised fair annual rental in the case of a lease for less than a year.
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–178 effective Aug. 21, 2002, see section 5 of Pub. L. 108–178, set out as a note under section 5334 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
The Secretary, to assist efforts to ensure the accuracy of censuses and surveys under this title, shall—
publish standards defining the content and structure of address information which States and local units of general purpose government may submit to the Secretary to be used in developing a national address list;
develop and publish a timetable for the Bureau to receive, review, and respond to submissions of information under paragraph (1) before the decennial census date; and
provide for a response by the Bureau with respect to such submissions in which the Bureau specifies its determinations regarding such information and the reasons for such determinations; and
be subject to the review process developed under section 3 of the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 relating to responses pursuant to paragraph (2).
The Secretary—
shall provide officials who are designated as census liaisons by a local unit of general purpose government with access to census address information for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of the address information of the Bureau for census and survey purposes; and
together with such access, should provide an explanation of duties and obligations under this title.
Access under paragraph (1) shall be limited to address information concerning addresses within the local unit of general purpose government represented by the census liaison or an adjacent local unit of general purpose government.
The Bureau should respond to each recommendation made by a census liaison concerning the accuracy of address information, including the determination (and reasons therefor) of the Bureau regarding each such recommendation.
For the purposes of paragraph (1), in a case in which a local unit of general purpose government is within another local unit of general purpose government and is not independent of the enclosing unit, the census liaison shall be designated by the local unit of general purpose government which is within the enclosing local unit of general purpose government.
A census liaison may not use information made available under paragraph (1) for any purpose other than the purpose specified in paragraph (1).
For the purposes of this section—
the term “local unit of general purpose government” has the meaning given such term by section 184(1) of this title; and
the term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.
Pub. L. 103–430, § 3, Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4394, provided that:
“The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, acting through the Chief Statistician and in consultation with the Bureau of the Census, shall develop an appeals process for those States and local units of general purpose government which desire to appeal determinations of the Bureau of the Census pursuant to section 16(a)(2) or (b)(3) of title 13, United States Code. Appeals under such process shall be resolved before the decennial census date. The Chief Statistician shall publish the proposed appeals process for a period of public comment before finalizing such process.”
SUBCHAPTER II— OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director of the Census, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, without regard to political affiliation.
Such appointment shall be made from individuals who have a demonstrated ability in managing large organizations and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data.
The term of office of the Director shall be 5 years, and shall begin on January 1, 2012, and every fifth year thereafter. An individual may not serve more than 2 full terms as Director.
Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy in such position, occurring before the expiration of the term for which such individual’s predecessor was appointed, shall be appointed for the remainder of that term. The Director may serve after the end of the Director’s term until reappointed or until a successor has been appointed, but in no event longer than 1 year after the end of such term.
An individual serving as Director may be removed from office by the President. The President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal to both Houses of Congress not later than 60 days before the removal.
Except as provided under paragraph (3), nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a personnel action otherwise authorized by law with respect to the Director of the Census, other than removal.
The Director shall perform such duties as may be imposed upon the Director by law, regulations, or orders of the Secretary.
Pub. L. 112–166, § 6(b), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1295, provided that:
“The provisions of sections 3 and 4 [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] (including any amendments made by those sections) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [ Aug. 10, 2012 ].”
Pub. L. 112–166, § 3(b), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1291, provided that:
“(1) Appointment of initial director .— The initial Director of the Bureau of the Census shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 21(a) of title 13 , United States Code, as amended by subsection (a). “(2) Interim role of current director of the census after date of enactment .— If, as of January 1, 2012 , the initial Director of the Bureau of the Census has not taken office, the officer serving on December 31, 2011 , as Director of the Census (or Acting Director of the Census, if applicable) in the Department of Commerce— “(A) shall serve as the Director of the Bureau of the Census; and “(B) shall assume the powers and duties of such Director for one term beginning January 1, 2012 , as described in section 21(b) of such title, as so amended.”
Pub. L. 112–166, § 3(c), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1291, provided that:
“Not later than January 1, 2012 , [sic] the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the Census, shall submit to each House of the Congress draft legislation containing any technical and conforming amendments to title 13, United States Code, and any other provisions which may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section].”
All permanent officers and employees of the Bureau shall be citizens of the United States.
Pub. L. 94–311, § 6, June 16, 1976, 90 Stat. 689, required Department of Commerce to implement an affirmative action program within Bureau of the Census for employment of personnel of Spanish origin or descent and to submit a report to Congress within one year of June 16, 1976, on progress of such program.
The Secretary may establish, at rates of compensation to be fixed by him without regard to the Classification Act of 1949, as many temporary positions as may be necessary to meet the requirements of the work provided for by law. Bureau employees who are transferred to any such temporary positions shall not lose their permanent civil service status by reason of the transfer. The Secretary may make appointments to such temporary positions in conformity with the civil service laws and rules.
In addition to employees of the Department of Commerce, employees of other departments and independent offices of the Government may, with the consent of the head of the respective department or office, be employed and compensated for field work in connection with the work provided for by law without regard to section 301 of the Dual Compensation Act.
The Secretary may utilize temporary staff, including employees of Federal, State, or local agencies or instrumentalities, and employees of private organizations to assist the Bureau in performing the work authorized by this title, but only if such temporary staff is sworn to observe the limitations imposed by section 9 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 88–448 effective on first day of first month which begins later than ninetieth day following Aug. 19, 1964, see section 403 of Pub. L. 88–448, title IV, Aug. 19, 1964, 78 Stat. 496.
Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title II, § 205, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2883, provided that:
“Hereafter, none of the funds made available by this or any other Act for the Department of Commerce shall be available to reimburse the Unemployment Trust Fund or any other fund or account of the Treasury to pay for any expenses authorized by section 8501 of title 5 , United States Code, for services performed by individuals appointed to temporary positions within the Bureau of the Census for purposes relating to the decennial censuses of population.”
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 106–553, § 1(a)(2) [title II, § 204], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2762, 2762A–78.
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(1) [title II, § 204], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–31.
Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(b) [title II, § 204], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–50, 2681–86.
Pub. L. 105–119, title II, § 204, Nov. 26, 1997, 111 Stat. 2479.
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(a) [title II, § 204], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–39.
Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101[(a)] [title II, § 204], Apr. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321, 1321–30; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a), May 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 1327.
Pub. L. 103–317, title II, § 204, Aug. 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 1749.
Pub. L. 103–121, title II, § 204, Oct. 27, 1993, 107 Stat. 1177.
Pub. L. 102–395, title II, § 204, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1855.
Pub. L. 102–140, title II, § 204, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 806.
Pub. L. 101–515, title I, § 104, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2108.
Pub. L. 101–382, title I, § 141, Aug. 20, 1990, 104 Stat. 654, provided that:
“(a) General Rule .— The determination of whether temporary 1990 census services constitute ‘Federal service’ for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code, shall be made under the provisions of such subchapter without regard to any provision of law not contained in such subchapter. “(b) Temporary 1990 Census Services .— For purposes of subsection (a), the term ‘temporary 1990 census services’ means services performed by individuals appointed to temporary positions within the Bureau of the Census for purposes relating to the 1990 decennial census of population (as determined under regulations determined by the Secretary of Commerce).”
Pub. L. 101–302, title II, May 25, 1990, 104 Stat. 215, provided that:
“Services performed after April 20, 1990 , by individuals appointed to temporary positions within the Bureau of the Census for purposes relating to the 1990 decennial census of population shall not constitute ‘Federal service’ for purposes of section 8501 of title 5 , United States Code.”
Pub. L. 101–86, Aug. 16, 1989, 103 Stat. 593, as amended by Pub. L. 101–293, § 1, May 17, 1990, 104 Stat. 192, provided that Federal annuitants or former members of the uniformed services who return to Government service under temporary appointments to assist in carrying out the 1990 decennial census of population would be exempt from certain provisions of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, relating to offsets from pay and other benefits.
[Pub. L. 101–293, § 2, May 17, 1990, 104 Stat. 192, provided that amendment of Pub. L. 101–86 by Pub. L. 101–293 may not be considered to make an exemption under Pub. L. 101–86 applicable to any service performed before May 17, 1990, which was in excess of that allowable under Pub. L. 101–86 (as then in effect).]
Pub. L. 97–454, § 3, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2494, provided that:
“Not later than 180 days after the effective date of this Act [ Jan. 12, 1983 ], the Secretary of Commerce shall publish in the Federal Register a statement of the policy and practices of the Bureau of the Census relating to the administration of section 23(c) of title 13 , United States Code. Such statement shall include a description of— “(1) the policy of the Secretary for the use of all individuals as temporary staff pursuant to such section 23(c) to assist the Bureau of the Census in performing work authorized under such title 13; “(2) the functions for which the Secretary, in his discretion, may appoint temporary staff to assist the Bureau in performing work authorized under such title 13; “(3) the practice applicable to the appointment of such temporary staff in performing such work; “(4) the requirements and penalties under such title applicable to temporary staff performing such work, together with safeguards to ensure that such temporary staff will observe the limitations imposed in section 9 of such title.”
The Secretary may utilize the services of nontemporary employees of the Bureau (by assignment, promotion, appointment, detail, or otherwise) in temporary positions established for any census, for not to exceed the period during which appropriations are available for that census. Whenever the Secretary determines that the services of an employee which have been utilized under this section are no longer required in such a temporary position, he may, without regard to the provisions of any other law, return the employee to a continuing position, with rank and compensation not less than that which he held in his last permanent position in the Bureau: Provided, That no employee shall, by reason of his service in a temporary position under this subsection, lose the protection of any law or regulation with respect to his separation, suspension, furlough, or reduction in rank or compensation below the level held in his last permanent position in the Bureau. Service by a nontemporary employee in a temporary position under this subsection shall be creditable for step-increases (both periodic and longevity) under title VII of the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, as though it were a continuation of service in his last permanent position.
As used in this title with respect to appointments or positions, “temporary” shall be construed to mean not in excess of one year, or not in excess of the specific period during which appropriations are available for the conduct of a particular census, whichever is longer. No employee of the Bureau who holds only a temporary appointment within the meaning of this section shall be considered as other than strictly temporary for purposes of any other provision of law relating to separations, suspensions, or reductions in rank or compensation.
The enlisted men and officers of the uniformed services may be appointed and compensated for service in temporary enumerator positions for the enumeration of personnel of the uniformed services.
The Secretary may fix compensation on a piece-price basis without limitation as to the amount earned per diem, and payments may be made to enumerators for the use of private automobiles on official business without regard to section 4 of the Travel Expense Act of 1949, as amended (5 U.S.C. 837), but at rates not in excess of the rates provided by that Act.
The Secretary may authorize the expenditure of necessary sums for travel expenses of persons selected for appointment for attendance at training courses held by the Department of Commerce with respect to any of the work provided for by law.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting the expenditure of public money for telephone service, the Secretary, under such regulations as he shall prescribe, may authorize reimbursement for tolls or charges for telephone service from private residences or private apartments to the extent such charges are determined by the Secretary to have been incurred to facilitate the collection of information in connection with the censuses and surveys authorized by this title.
Special provisions of this section respecting utilization of nontemporary employees of the Bureau of the Census in temporary positions in connection with any census unaffected by provisions for salary protection to employees subject to Classification Act of 1949, see section 103 of Pub. L. 87–270, title I, Sept. 21, 1961, 75 Stat. 569.
Each supervisor shall perform the duties imposed upon him by the Secretary in the enforcement of chapter 5 of this title in accordance with the Secretary’s orders and instructions.
Each enumerator or other employee detailed to serve as enumerator shall be charged with the collection in his subdivision of the facts and statistics called for on such schedules as the Secretary determines shall be used by him in connection with any census or survey provided for by chapter 5 of this title.
The Secretary may contract with field employees for the rental and use within the continental limits of the United States of means of transportation, other than motorcycle, automobile, or airplane, and for the rental and use outside of the continental United States of any means of transportation, which means may be owned by the field employee. Such rental contracts shall be made without regard to section 4 of the Travel Expense Act of 1949, as amended ( 5 U.S.C. 837 ). The rentals shall be at rates equivalent to the prevailing rental rates of the locality. The rental contracts within the continental United States may be entered into only when the use by the field employee of such other means of transportation is safer, more economical, or more advantageous to the Government than use of his motorcycle, automobile, or airplane in conducting the census.
CHAPTER 3— COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF STATISTICS
SUBCHAPTER I— COTTON
The Secretary shall collect and publish statistics concerning the—
amount of cotton ginned;
quantity of raw cotton consumed in manufacturing establishments of every character;
quantity of baled cotton on hand;
number of active consuming cotton spindles;
number of active spindle hours; and
quantity of cotton imported and exported, with the country of origin and destination.
The statistics of the quantity of cotton ginned shall show the quantity ginned from each crop prior to August 1, September 1, September 15, October 1, October 15, November 1, November 15, December 1, December 15, January 1, January 15, February 1, and March 1; but the Secretary may limit the canvasses of August 1 and September 1 to those sections of the cotton-growing States in which cotton has been ginned.
The quantity of cotton consumed in manufacturing establishments, the quantity of baled cotton on hand, the number of active consuming cotton spindles, the number of active spindle-hours, and the statistics of cotton imported and exported shall relate to each month, and shall be published as soon as possible after the close of the month.
In collecting and publishing statistics of cotton on hand in warehouses and other storage establishments, and of cotton known as the “carry-over” in the United States, the Secretary shall ascertain and publish as a separate item in the report of cotton statistics the number of bales of linters as distinguished from the number of bales of cotton.
The Secretary shall furnish to the Department of Agriculture, immediately prior to the publication of each report of that Department regarding the cotton crop, the latest available statistics hereinbefore mentioned, and the Department of Agriculture shall publish the same in connection with each of its reports concerning cotton.
Every cotton ginner shall keep a record of the county or parish in which each bale of cotton ginned by him is grown and report at the completion of the ginning season, but not later than the March canvass, of each year a segregation of the total number of bales ginned by counties or parishes in which grown.
In addition to the information regarding cotton in the United States provided for in this subchapter, the Secretary shall compile, by correspondence or the use of published reports and documents, any available information concerning the production, consumption, and stocks of cotton in foreign countries, and the number of cotton-consuming spindles in such countries. Each report published by the Department of Commerce or agency or bureau thereof regarding cotton shall contain an abstract of the latest available information obtained under the provisions of this section, and the Secretary shall furnish the same to the Department of Agriculture for publication in connection with the reports of that department concerning cotton in the same manner as in the case of statistics relating to the United States.
The reports of cotton ginned to the dates as of which the Department of Agriculture is also required to issue cotton crop reports shall be issued simultaneously with the cotton crop reports of that department, the two reports to be issued from the same place at 3 o’clock postmeridian on or before the 12th day of the month to which the respective reports relate.
SUBCHAPTER II— OILSEEDS, NUTS, AND KERNELS; FATS, OILS, AND GREASES
The Secretary shall collect, collate, and publish monthly statistics concerning—
the quantities of—
cotton seed, soybeans, peanuts, flaxseed, corn germs, copra, sesame seed, babassu nuts and kernels, and other oilseeds, nuts, and kernels received, crushed, and on hand at oil mills;
crude and refined oils, cakes, and meals, and other primary products, by type or kind, of the seeds, nuts, and kernels referred to in clause (A) of this paragraph, manufactured, shipped out, and on hand at oil mills and processing establishments;
crude and refined vegetable oils, by type or kind, used by class of product and held by manufacturers of vegetable shortening, margarine, soap, and other principal products using large quantities of vegetable oils;
crude and refined vegetable oils, by type or kind, held in warehouses and in transit to consuming establishments; and
the quantities, by types or kinds, of—
animal fats and oils and greases produced;
animal fats and oils and greases shipped and held by producers;
animal fats and oils and greases, fish and marine mammal oils used by class of product and held by manufacturers of shortening, margarine, soap, and other principal products which require the use of large quantities of animal fats and oils and greases, fish and marine mammal oils;
animal fats and oils and greases, fish and marine mammal oils held in warehouses, cold storage, and in transit to consuming establishments.
The Secretary shall not be required to collect, more frequently than he deems necessary to provide reliable statistical reports, information from any person who produces, holds, or consumes fats and oils in inconsequential quantities.
This subchapter does not restrict or limit the Secretary in the collection and publication, under the general authority of the Secretary, of such statistics on fats and oils or products thereof not specifically required in this subchapter, as he deems to be in the public interest.
Statistics required under Federal law, as of the effective date of this title, to be collected by any other Federal department or agency in a manner comparable both as to form and period of time to the collection of statistics provided for by this subchapter shall not be collected by the Secretary under the authority of this subchapter. Immediately upon his request, the Secretary shall have access to any such statistics and shall include them in the publication required by this subchapter.
SUBCHAPTER III— APPAREL AND TEXTILES
The Secretary shall collect and publish quarterly statistics relating to domestic apparel and textile industries.
SUBCHAPTER IV— QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATISTICS
The Secretary shall collect and publish quarterly financial statistics of business operations, organization, practices, management, and relation to other businesses, including data on sales, expenses, profits, assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity, and related accounts generally used by businesses in income statements, balance sheets, and other measures of financial condition.
Except to the extent determined otherwise by the Secretary on the basis of changed circumstances, the nature of statistics collected and published under this section, and the manner of the collection and publication of such statistics, shall conform to the quarterly financial reporting program carried out by the Federal Trade Commission before the effective date of this section under section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
For purposes of section 6103(j)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the conducting of the quarterly financial report program under this section shall be considered as the conducting of a related statistical activity authorized by law.
The Secretary shall not select an organization or entity for participation in a survey, if—
the organization or entity—
has assets of less than $50,000,000;
completed participation in a prior survey in the preceding 10-year period, as determined by the Secretary; and
was selected for that prior survey participation after September 30, 1990; or
the organization or entity—
has assets of more than $50,000,000 and less than $100,000,000;
completed participation in a prior survey in the preceding 2-year period, as determined by the Secretary; and
was selected for that prior survey participation after September 30, 1995.
The Secretary shall furnish advice and similar assistance to ease the burden of a small business concern which is attempting to compile and furnish the business information required of organizations and entities participating in the survey.
To facilitate the provision of the assistance under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall establish a toll-free telephone number.
The Secretary shall expand the use of statistical sampling techniques to select organizations and entities having assets less than $100,000,000 to participate in the survey.
The Secretary may undertake such additional paperwork burden reduction initiatives with respect to the conduct of the survey as may be deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
For purposes of this subsection:
The term “small business concern” means a business concern that meets the requirements of section 3(a) of the Small Business Act and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
The term “survey” means the collection of information by the Secretary pursuant to this section for the purpose of preparing the publication entitled “Quarterly Financial Report for Manufacturing, Mining, and Trade Corporations”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–13 effective Oct. 1, 1995, see section 4(a) of Pub. L. 104–13, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3501 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.
Pub. L. 97–454, § 4, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2495, as amended by Pub. L. 101–227, § 1, Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1943; Pub. L. 103–105, § 1(a), Oct. 12, 1993, 107 Stat. 1030; Pub. L. 105–252, § 1, Oct. 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 1886; Pub. L. 109–79, § 1, Sept. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2044; Pub. L. 114–72, § 2, Oct. 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 566, provided that:
“(a) This Act [enacting section 91 of this title and provisions set out as notes under sections 23 and 91 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [ Jan. 12, 1983 ]. “(b) This Act, including the amendments made by this Act, shall cease to have effect after September 30, 2030 . “(c) Not later than 2 years after such effective date [ Jan. 12, 1983 ], the Secretary of Commerce shall submit a report to the Congress regarding the administration of the program transferred by this Act [enacting section 91 of this title and provisions set out as notes under sections 23 and 91 of this title]. Such report shall describe— “(1) the estimated respondent burden, including any changes in the estimated respondent burden after the transfer of such program; “(2) the application made by various public and private organizations of the information published under such program; and “(3) technical or administration problems encountered in carrying out such program.”
[Pub. L. 103–105, § 1(b), Oct. 12, 1993, 107 Stat. 1030, provided that:
“The amendment made under subsection (a) [amending section 4 of Pub. L. 97–454 , set out above] shall take effect on September 30, 1993 .]
Pub. L. 97–454, § 2, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2494, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
“(a) There are transferred to the Secretary of Commerce, for administration under section 91 of title 13 , United States Code, all functions relating to the quarterly financial report program which was carried out by the Federal Trade Commission before the effective date of this Act [ Jan. 12, 1983 ] pursuant to the authority of section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 46(b) ). “(b) All personnel, property, and records of the Federal Trade Commission which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines, after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, to be employed, held, or used in connection with any function relating to the quarterly financial report program shall be transferred to the Department of Commerce. For purposes of sections 6103, 7213, and 7431, and other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [ 26 U.S.C. 6103 , 7213, 7431], return information (as defined in section 6103(b) of such Code) which is transferred under this subsection shall be treated as if it were furnished to the Bureau of the Census under section 6103(j)(1) of such Code solely for administering the quarterly financial report program under section 91 of title 13 , United States Code. Such transfer shall be carried out not later than 90 days after the effective date of this Act [ Jan. 12, 1983 ].”
SUBCHAPTER V— MISCELLANEOUS
The Secretary may collect decennially statistics relating—
to the defective, dependent, and delinquent classes; and
to crime, including judicial statistics pertaining thereto.
The statistics authorized by subsection (a) of this section shall include information upon the following questions, namely: age, sex, color, nativity, parentage, literacy by race, color, nativity, and parentage, and such other questions relating to such subjects as the Secretary deems proper.
In addition to the decennial collections authorized by subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Secretary may compile and publish annually statistics relating to crime and to the defective, dependent, and delinquent classes.
The Secretary may collect decennially statistics relating to religious bodies.
All reports covering any of the statistics collected under the provisions of this subchapter shall be designated as “Special Reports” followed by the name of whatever bureau or agency of the Department of Commerce is designated by the Secretary to collect and compile such statistics.
CHAPTER 5— CENSUSES
SUBCHAPTER I— MANUFACTURES, MINERAL INDUSTRIES, AND OTHER BUSINESSES
The Secretary shall take, compile, and publish censuses of manufactures, of mineral industries, and of other businesses, including the distributive trades, service establishments, and transportation (exclusive of means of transportation for which statistics are required by law to be filed with, and are compiled and published by, a designated regulatory body), in the year 1964, then in the year 1968, and every fifth year thereafter, and each such census shall relate to the year immediately preceding the taking thereof.
Pub. L. 100–533, title V, § 501, Oct. 25, 1988, 102 Stat. 2697, provided that:
“(a) Bureau of Labor Statistics .— The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor shall include in any census report it may prepare on women owned business data on— “(1) sole proprietorships; “(2) partnerships; and “(3) corporations. “(b) Bureau of the Census .— The Bureau of the Census of the Department of Commerce shall include in its Business Census for 1992 and each such succeeding census data on the number of corporations which are 51 per centum or more owned by women. “(c) Combined Study .— Not later than one hundred and eighty days after the effective date of this section [ Oct. 25, 1988 ], the Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (hereinafter referred to in this subsection as the ‘Office’) shall conduct a study and prepare a report recommending the most cost effective and accurate means to gather and present the data required to be collected pursuant to subsections (a) and (b). The Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor shall provide the Office such assistance and cooperation as may be necessary and appropriate to achieve the purposes of this subsection.”
To the extent that the provisions of this subchapter or subchapter IV of this chapter conflict with any other provision of this title or other law, pertaining to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, the provisions of this title shall control; but nothing in this title shall be deemed to revoke or impair the authority of any other Federal agency with respect to the collection or release of information.
SUBCHAPTER II— POPULATION, HOUSING, AND UNEMPLOYMENT
The Secretary shall, in the year 1980 and every 10 years thereafter, take a decennial census of population as of the first day of April of such year, which date shall be known as the “decennial census date”, in such form and content as he may determine, including the use of sampling procedures and special surveys. In connection with any such census, the Secretary is authorized to obtain such other census information as necessary.
The tabulation of total population by States under subsection (a) of this section as required for the apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States shall be completed within 9 months after the census date and reported by the Secretary to the President of the United States.
The officers or public bodies having initial responsibility for the legislative apportionment or districting of each State may, not later than 3 years before the decennial census date, submit to the Secretary a plan identifying the geographic areas for which specific tabulations of population are desired. Each such plan shall be developed in accordance with criteria established by the Secretary, which he shall furnish to such officers or public bodies not later than April 1 of the fourth year preceding the decennial census date. Such criteria shall include requirements which assure that such plan shall be developed in a nonpartisan manner. Should the Secretary find that a plan submitted by such officers or public bodies does not meet the criteria established by him, he shall consult to the extent necessary with such officers or public bodies in order to achieve the alterations in such plan that he deems necessary to bring it into accord with such criteria. Any issues with respect to such plan remaining unresolved after such consultation shall be resolved by the Secretary, and in all cases he shall have final authority for determining the geographic format of such plan. Tabulations of population for the areas identified in any plan approved by the Secretary shall be completed by him as expeditiously as possible after the decennial census date and reported to the Governor of the State involved and to the officers or public bodies having responsibility for legislative apportionment or districting of such State, except that such tabulations of population of each State requesting a tabulation plan, and basic tabulations of population of each other State, shall, in any event, be completed, reported, and transmitted to each respective State within one year after the decennial census date.
Without regard to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the Secretary, in the year 1985 and every 10 years thereafter, shall conduct a mid-decade census of population in such form and content as he may determine, including the use of sampling procedures and special surveys, taking into account the extent to which information to be obtained from such census will serve in lieu of information collected annually or less frequently in surveys or other statistical studies. The census shall be taken as of the first day of April of each such year, which date shall be known as the “mid-decade census date”.
If—
then in the determination of such eligibility or amount of benefits the most recent data available from either the mid-decade or decennial census shall be used.
in the administration of any program established by or under Federal law which provides benefits to State or local governments or to other recipients, eligibility for or the amount of such benefits would (without regard to this paragraph) be determined by taking into account data obtained in the most recent decennial census, and
comparable data is obtained in a mid-decade census conducted after such decennial census,
Information obtained in any mid-decade census shall not be used for apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States, nor shall such information be used in prescribing congressional districts.
With respect to each decennial and mid-decade census conducted under subsection (a) or (d) of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the committees of Congress having legislative jurisdiction over the census—
not later than 3 years before the appropriate census date, a report containing the Secretary’s determination of the subjects proposed to be included, and the types of information to be compiled, in such census;
not later than 2 years before the appropriate census date, a report containing the Secretary’s determination of the questions proposed to be included in such census; and
after submission of a report under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection and before the appropriate census date, if the Secretary finds new circumstances exist which necessitate that the subjects, types of information, or questions contained in reports so submitted be modified, a report containing the Secretary’s determination of the subjects, types of information, or questions as proposed to be modified.
As used in this section, “census of population” means a census of population, housing, and matters relating to population and housing.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 105–119, title II, § 209, Nov. 26, 1997, 111 Stat. 2480, provided that:
“(a) Congress finds that— “(1) it is the constitutional duty of the Congress to ensure that the decennial enumeration of the population is conducted in a manner consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States; “(2) the sole constitutional purpose of the decennial enumeration of the population is the apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States; “(3) section 2 of the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution clearly states that Representatives are to be ‘apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State’; “(4) article I, section 2, clause 3 of the Constitution clearly requires an ‘actual Enumeration’ of the population, and section 195 of title 13 , United States Code, clearly provides ‘Except for the determination of population for purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States, the Secretary shall, if he considers it feasible, authorize the use of the statistical method known as “sampling” in carrying out the provisions of this title.’; “(5) the decennial enumeration of the population is one of the most critical constitutional functions our Federal Government performs; “(6) it is essential that the decennial enumeration of the population be as accurate as possible, consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States; “(7) the use of statistical sampling or statistical adjustment in conjunction with an actual enumeration to carry out the census with respect to any segment of the population poses the risk of an inaccurate, invalid, and unconstitutional census; “(8) the decennial enumeration of the population is a complex and vast undertaking, and if such enumeration is conducted in a manner that does not comply with the requirements of the Constitution or laws of the United States, it would be impracticable for the States to obtain, and the courts of the United States to provide, meaningful relief after such enumeration has been conducted; and “(9) Congress is committed to providing the level of funding that is required to perform the entire range of constitutional census activities, with a particular emphasis on accurately enumerating all individuals who have historically been undercounted, and toward this end, Congress expects— “(A) aggressive and innovative promotion and outreach campaigns in hard-to-count communities; “(B) the hiring of enumerators from within those communities; “(C) continued cooperation with local government on address list development; and “(D) maximized census employment opportunities for individuals seeking to make the transition from welfare to work. “(b) Any person aggrieved by the use of any statistical method in violation of the Constitution or any provision of law (other than this Act [see Tables for classification]), in connection with the 2000 or any later decennial census, to determine the population for purposes of the apportionment or redistricting of Members in Congress, may in a civil action obtain declaratory, injunctive, and any other appropriate relief against the use of such method. “(c) For purposes of this section— “(1) the use of any statistical method as part of a dress rehearsal or other simulation of a census in preparation for the use of such method, in a decennial census, to determine the population for purposes of the apportionment or redistricting of Members in Congress shall be considered the use of such method in connection with that census; and “(2) the report ordered by title VIII of Public Law 105–18 [ 111 Stat. 217 ] and the Census 2000 Operational Plan shall be deemed to constitute final agency action regarding the use of statistical methods in the 2000 decennial census, thus making the question of their use in such census sufficiently concrete and final to now be reviewable in a judicial proceeding. “(d) For purposes of this section, an aggrieved person (described in subsection (b)) includes— “(1) any resident of a State whose congressional representation or district could be changed as a result of the use of a statistical method challenged in the civil action; “(2) any Representative or Senator in Congress; and “(3) either House of Congress. “(e) (1) Any action brought under this section shall be heard and determined by a district court of three judges in accordance with section 2284 of title 28 , United States Code. The chief judge of the United States court of appeals for each circuit shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with the avoidance of unnecessary delay, consolidate, for all purposes, in one district court within that circuit, all actions pending in that circuit under this section. Any party to an action under this section shall be precluded from seeking any consolidation of that action other than is provided in this paragraph. In selecting the district court in which to consolidate such actions, the chief judge shall consider the convenience of the parties and witnesses and efficient conduct of such actions. Any final order or injunction of a United States district court that is issued pursuant to an action brought under this section shall be reviewable by appeal directly to the Supreme Court of the United States. Any such appeal shall be taken by a notice of appeal filed within 10 days after such order is entered; and the jurisdictional statement shall be filed within 30 days after such order is entered. No stay of an order issued pursuant to an action brought under this section may be issued by a single Justice of the Supreme Court. “(2) It shall be the duty of a United States district court hearing an action brought under this section and the Supreme Court of the United States to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of any such matter. “(f) Any agency or entity within the executive branch having authority with respect to the carrying out of a decennial census may in a civil action obtain a declaratory judgment respecting whether or not the use of a statistical method, in connection with such census, to determine the population for the purposes of the apportionment or redistricting of Members in Congress is forbidden by the Constitution and laws of the United States. “(g) The Speaker of the House of Representatives or the Speaker’s designee or designees may commence or join in a civil action, for and on behalf of the House of Representatives, under any applicable law, to prevent the use of any statistical method, in connection with the decennial census, to determine the population for purposes of the apportionment or redistricting of Members in Congress. It shall be the duty of the Office of the General Counsel of the House of Representatives to represent the House in such civil action, according to the directions of the Speaker. The Office of the General Counsel of the House of Representatives may employ the services of outside counsel and other experts for this purpose. “(h) For purposes of this section and section 210 [formerly set out below]— “(1) the term ‘statistical method’ means an activity related to the design, planning, testing, or implementation of the use of representative sampling, or any other statistical procedure, including statistical adjustment, to add or subtract counts to or from the enumeration of the population as a result of statistical inference; and “(2) the term ‘census’ or ‘decennial census’ means a decennial enumeration of the population. “(i) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the use of any statistical method, in connection with a decennial census, for the apportionment or redistricting of Members in Congress. “(j) Sufficient funds appropriated under this Act or under any other Act for purposes of the 2000 decennial census shall be used by the Bureau of the Census to plan, test, and become prepared to implement a 2000 decennial census, without using statistical methods, which shall result in the percentage of the total population actually enumerated being as close to 100 percent as possible. In both the 2000 decennial census, and any dress rehearsal or other simulation made in preparation for the 2000 decennial census, the number of persons enumerated without using statistical methods must be publicly available for all levels of census geography which are being released by the Bureau of the Census for: (1) all data releases before January 1, 2001 ; (2) the data contained in the 2000 decennial census Public Law 94–171 [amending this section] data file released for use in redistricting; (3) the Summary Tabulation File One (STF–1) for the 2000 decennial census; and (4) the official populations of the States transmitted from the Secretary of Commerce through the President to the Clerk of the House used to reapportion the districts of the House among the States as a result of the 2000 decennial census. Simultaneously with any other release or reporting of any of the information described in the preceding sentence through other means, such information shall be made available to the public on the Internet. These files of the Bureau of the Census shall be available concurrently to the release of the original files to the same recipients, on identical media, and at a comparable price. They shall contain the number of persons enumerated without using statistical methods and any additions or subtractions thereto. These files shall be based on data gathered and generated by the Bureau of the Census in its official capacity. “(k) This section shall apply in fiscal year 1998 and succeeding fiscal years.”
Pub. L. 105–119, title II, § 210(a)–(j), Nov. 26, 1997, 111 Stat. 2483–2487, established the Census Monitoring Board to observe and monitor all aspects of the preparation and implementation of the 2000 decennial census, described the membership and duties of the Board, and provided for its termination on Sept. 30, 2001.
Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 105, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2163, provided that:
“(a) In General .— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [ Aug. 22, 1996 ], the Secretary of Commerce, in carrying out section 141 of title 13 , United States Code, shall expand the data collection efforts of the Bureau of the Census (in this section referred to as the ‘Bureau’) to enable the Bureau to collect statistically significant data, in connection with its decennial census and its mid-decade census, concerning the growing trend of grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. “(b) Expanded Census Question .— In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Commerce shall expand the Bureau’s census question that details households which include both grandparents and their grandchildren. The expanded question shall be formulated to distinguish between the following households: “(1) A household in which a grandparent temporarily provides a home for a grandchild for a period of weeks or months during periods of parental distress. “(2) A household in which a grandparent provides a home for a grandchild and serves as the primary caregiver for the grandchild.”
Pub. L. 102–135, Oct. 24, 1991, 105 Stat. 635, known as the Decennial Census Improvement Act of 1991, provided that the Secretary of Commerce was to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of the means by which the Government could achieve the most accurate population count possible and ways for the Government to collect other demographic and housing data, and that the Academy was to submit to the Secretary and to committees of Congress an interim report and, within 36 months after the date of the contract, a final report on the study.
Pub. L. 101–645, title IV, § 402, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4723, provided that not later than 1 year after Nov. 29, 1990, the General Accounting Office was to conduct a study of the methodology and procedures used by the Bureau of the Census in counting the number of homeless persons for the most recent decennial census conducted pursuant to this title, to determine the accuracy of such count, and report to the Congress the results of that study.
Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2382, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4050, provided that Director of Bureau of the Census was to expand data collection efforts of Bureau to enable it to collect statistically significant data concerning changing economic condition of rural counties and communities in United States, including data on rural employment, poverty, income, and other information concerning rural labor force, and authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each fiscal year for such efforts, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 707, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1112.
Pub. L. 94–311, § 4, June 16, 1976, 90 Stat. 688, provided that:
“The Department of Commerce, in cooperation with appropriate Federal, State and local agencies and various population study groups and experts, shall immediately undertake a study to determine what steps would be necessary for developing creditable estimates of undercounts of Americans of Spanish origin or descent in future censuses.”
Pub. L. 94–311, § 5, June 16, 1976, 90 Stat. 689, provided that:
“The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that, in the Bureau of the Census data-collection activities, the needs and concerns of the Spanish-origin population are given full recognition through the use of Spanish language questionnaires, bilingual enumerators, and other such methods as deemed appropriate by the Secretary.”
Memorandum of President of the United States, July 21, 2020, 85 F.R. 44679, which excluded from the apportionment base aliens who are not in a lawful immigration status for the purpose of the reapportionment of Representatives following the 2020 census, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13986, § 5, Jan. 20, 2021, 86 F.R. 7016, set out above.
[Repealed]
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1998, see section 3(d) of Pub. L. 105–113, set out as an Effective Date of 1997 Amendment note under section 1991 of Title 7, Agriculture.
Pub. L. 105–86, title I, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2083, provided in part:
“That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct the 1997 Census of Agriculture, to the extent practicable, pursuant to the provisions of title 13, United States Code.”
[Repealed]
SUBCHAPTER III— GOVERNMENTS
The Secretary shall take, compile, and publish for the year 1957 and for every fifth year thereafter a census of governments. Each such census shall include, but shall not be limited to, data on taxes and tax valuations, governmental receipts, expenditures, indebtedness, and employees of States, counties, cities, and other governmental units.
[Repealed]
This subchapter does not revoke or impair the authority of any other Federal agency with respect to the collection or release of information.
SUBCHAPTER IV— INTERIM CURRENT DATA
During the intervals between each census of population required under section 141 of this title, the Secretary, to the extent feasible, shall annually produce and publish for each State, county, and local unit of general purpose government which has a population of fifty thousand or more, current data on total population and population characteristics and, to the extent feasible, shall biennially produce and publish for other local units of general purpose government current data on total population. Such data shall be produced and published for each State, county, and other local unit of general purpose government for which data is compiled in the most recent census of population taken under section 141 of this title. Such data may be produced by means of sampling or other methods, which the Secretary determines will produce current, comprehensive, and reliable data.
If the Secretary is unable to produce and publish current data during any fiscal year on total population for any county and local unit of general purpose government as required by this section, a report shall be submitted by the Secretary to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than 90 days before the commencement of the following fiscal year, enumerating each government excluded and giving the reasons for such exclusion.
Section effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
The Secretary may make surveys deemed necessary to furnish annual and other interim current data on the subjects covered by the censuses provided for in this title.
Section effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Except as provided in subsection (b), for the purpose of administering any law of the United States in which population or other population characteristics are used to determine the amount of benefit received by State, county, or local units of general purpose government, the Secretary shall transmit to the President for use by the appropriate departments and agencies of the executive branch the data most recently produced and published under this title.
This section shall not apply with respect to any law of the United States which, for purposes of determining the amount of benefit received by State, county, or local units of general purpose government, provides that only population or population characteristics data obtained in the most recent decennial census may be used in such determination.
Section effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
For purposes of this subchapter—
the term “local unit of general purpose government” means the government of a county, municipality, township, Indian tribe, Alaskan native village, or other unit of government (other than a State) which is a unit of general government, and
the term “State” includes the District of Columbia.
Section effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
SUBCHAPTER V— GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE, PRELIMINARY AND SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICS, AND USE OF SAMPLING
Each of the censuses authorized by this chapter shall include each State, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and as may be determined by the Secretary, such other possessions and areas over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty. Inclusion of other areas over which the United States exercises jurisdiction or control shall be subject to the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
For censuses taken in the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any possession or area not specifically designated in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may use census information collected by the Governor or highest ranking Federal official, if such information was obtained in accordance with plans prescribed or approved by the Secretary.
If, pursuant to a determination by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this section, any census is not taken in a possession or area over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty, the Secretary may include data obtained from other Federal agencies or government sources in the census report. Any data obtained from foreign governments shall be obtained through the Secretary of State.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Alaska was admitted into the Union on Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, and Hawaii was admitted into the Union on Aug. 21, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3309, Aug. 21, 1959, 24 F.R. 6868, 73 Stat. c74. For Alaska Statehood Law, see Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. For Hawaii Statehood Law, see Pub. L. 86–3, Mar. 18, 1959, 73 Stat. 4, set out as a note preceding section 491 of Title 48.
In advance of, in conjunction with, or after the taking of each census provided for by this chapter, the Secretary may make surveys and collect such preliminary and supplementary statistics related to the main topic of the census as are necessary to the initiation, taking, or completion thereof.
Except for the determination of population for purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States, the Secretary shall, if he considers it feasible, authorize the use of the statistical method known as “sampling” in carrying out the provisions of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
The Secretary may conduct special censuses for the government of any State, or of any county, city, or other political subdivision within a State, for the government of the District of Columbia, and for the government of any possession or area (including political subdivisions thereof) referred to in section 191(a) of this title , on subjects covered by the censuses provided for in this title, upon payment to the Secretary of the actual or estimated cost of each such special census. The results of each such special census shall be designated “Official Census Statistics”. These statistics may be used in the manner provided by applicable law.
Section effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 96–369, § 118, Oct. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 1357, provided that:
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when the President determines that a State, county, or local unit of general purpose government is significantly affected by a major population change due to a large number of legal immigrants within six months of a regular decennial census date, he may order a special census, pursuant to section 196 of title XIII of the United States Code [this section], or other method of obtaining a revised estimate of the population, of such jurisdiction or subsections of that jurisdiction in which the immigrants are concentrated. If the President decides to conduct a special census, it may be conducted solely at Federal expense.”
CHAPTER 7— OFFENSES AND PENALTIES
SUBCHAPTER I— OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Whoever—
shall be fined not more than $3,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
receives or secures to himself any fee, reward, or compensation as a consideration for the appointment of any person as supervisor, enumerator, clerk, or other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, referred to in subchapter II of chapter 1 of this title; or
in any way receives or secures to himself any part of the compensation paid to any person so appointed—
Whoever, being an employee referred to in subchapter II of chapter 1 of this title, and having taken and subscribed the oath of office, neglects or refuses, without justifiable cause, to perform the duties enjoined on such employee by this title, shall be fined not more than $500.
Whoever, being an officer or employee referred to in subchapter II of chapter 1 of this title, willfully and knowingly swears or affirms falsely as to the truth of any statement required to be made or subscribed by him under oath by or under authority of this title, shall be guilty of perjury, and shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
Whoever, being an officer or employee referred to in subchapter II of chapter 1 of this title—
shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
willfully and knowingly makes a false certificate or fictitious return; or
knowingly or willfully furnishes or causes to be furnished, or, having been such an officer or employee, knowingly or willfully furnished or caused to be furnished, directly or indirectly, to the Secretary or to any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, any false statement or false information with reference to any inquiry for which he was authorized and required to collect information provided for in this title—
Whoever, being or having been an employee or staff member referred to in subchapter II of chapter 1 of this title, having taken and subscribed the oath of office, or having sworn to observe the limitations imposed by section 9 of this title , or whoever, being or having been a census liaison within the meaning of section 16 of this title , publishes or communicates any information, the disclosure of which is prohibited under the provisions of section 9 of this title , and which comes into his possession by reason of his being employed (or otherwise providing services) under the provisions of this title, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
SUBCHAPTER II— OTHER PERSONS
Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in connection with any census or survey provided for by subchapters I, II, IV, and V of chapter 5 of this title, applying to himself or to the family to which he belongs or is related, or to the farm or farms of which he or his family is the occupant, shall be fined not more than $100.
Whoever, when answering questions described in subsection (a) of this section, and under the conditions or circumstances described in such subsection, willfully gives any answer that is false, shall be fined not more than $500.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no person shall be compelled to disclose information relative to his religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
Whoever, either directly or indirectly, offers or renders to any officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof engaged in making an enumeration of population under subchapter II, IV, or V of chapter 5 of this title, any suggestion, advice, information or assistance of any kind, with the intent or purpose of causing an inaccurate enumeration of population to be made, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.
Whoever, being the owner, official, agent, person in charge, or assistant to the person in charge, of any company, business, institution, establishment, religious body, or organization of any nature whatsoever, neglects or refuses, when requested by the Secretary or other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, to answer completely and correctly to the best of his knowledge all questions relating to his company, business, institution, establishment, religious body, or other organization, or to records or statistics in his official custody, contained on any census or other schedule or questionnaire prepared and submitted to him under the authority of this title, shall be fined not more than $500; and if he willfully gives a false answer to any such question, he shall be fined not more than $10,000.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
with respect to the answering of questions and furnishing of information, only to such inquiries as are within the scope of the schedules and questionnaires and of the type and character heretofore used in connection with the taking of complete censuses under subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or in connection with any censuses hereafter taken pursuant to such subchapters;
only after publication of a determination with reasons therefor certified by the Secretary, or by some other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof with the approval of the Secretary, that the information called for is needed to aid or permit the efficient performance of essential governmental functions or services, or has significant application to the needs of the public, business, or industry and is not publicly available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources;
in the case of any new survey, only after public notice, given by the Secretary or other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof at least thirty days in advance of requesting a return, that such survey is under consideration.
The provisions for imprisonment provided by section 222 of this title shall not apply in connection with any survey conducted pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 3 of this title, or to subchapter IV of chapter 5 of this title.
The provisions of sections 221, 222, 223, and 224 of this title shall not apply to any censuses or surveys of governments provided for by subchapters III and IV of chapter 5 of this title, nor to other surveys provided for by subchapter IV of such chapter which are taken more frequently than annually.
Where the doctrine, teaching, or discipline of any religious denomination or church prohibits the disclosure of information relative to membership, a refusal, in such circumstances, to furnish such information shall not be an offense under this chapter.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
SUBCHAPTER III— PROCEDURE
When any request for information, made by the Secretary or other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, is made by registered or certified mail or telegram, the return receipt therefor or other written receipt thereof shall be prima facie evidence of an official request in any prosecution under such section.
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–521 effective Oct. 17, 1976, see section 17 of Pub. L. 94–521, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
CHAPTER 9— COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION OF FOREIGN COMMERCE AND TRADE STATISTICS
The Secretary is authorized to collect information from all persons exporting from, or importing into, the United States and the noncontiguous areas over which the United States exercises sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control, and from all persons engaged in trade between the United States and such noncontiguous areas and between those areas, or from the owners, or operators of carriers engaged in such foreign commerce or trade, and shall compile and publish such information pertaining to exports, imports, trade, and transportation relating thereto, as he deems necessary or appropriate to enable him to foster, promote, develop, and further the commerce, domestic and foreign, of the United States and for other lawful purposes.
The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, on quarterly and cumulative bases, statistics on United States imports for consumption and United States exports by country and by product. Statistics on United States imports shall be submitted in accordance with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes and general statistical note 1 thereof, in detail as follows:
The data for paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (5), and (6) shall be reported separately for nonrelated and related party transactions, and shall also be reported as a total of all transactions.
net quantity;
United States customs value;
purchase price or its equivalent;
equivalent of arm’s length value;
aggregate cost from port of exportation to United States port of entry;
a United States port of entry value comprised of (5) plus (4), if applicable, or, if not applicable, (5) plus (3); and
for transactions where (3) and (4) are equal, the total value of such transactions.
In submitting any information under subsection (b) with respect to exports, the Secretary shall state separately from the total value of all exports—
the value of agricultural commodities exported under the Food for Peace Act, as amended; and
the total amount of all export subsidies paid to exporters by the United States under such Act for the exportation of such commodities; and
the value of goods exported under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
To assist the Secretary to carry out the provisions of subsections (b) and (c)—
the Secretary of Agriculture shall furnish information to the Secretary concerning the value of agricultural commodities exported under provisions of the Food for Peace Act, as amended, and the total amounts of all export subsidies paid to exporters by the United States under such Act for the exportation of such commodities; and
the Secretary of State shall furnish information to the Secretary concerning the value of goods exported under the provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.
There shall be reported, on monthly and cumulative bases, for each heading or subheading in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes, the United States port of entry value (as determined under subsection (b)(6)). There shall be reported, on monthly and cumulative bases, the balance of international trade for the United States reflecting (1) the aggregate value of all United States imports as reported in accordance with the first sentence of this subsection, and (2) the aggregate value of all United States exports. The information required to be reported under this subsection shall be reported in a form that is adjusted for economic inflation or deflation (on a constant dollar basis consistent with the reporting of the National Income and Product Accounts), and in a form that is not so adjusted.
On or before January 1, 1981, and as often thereafter as may be necessary to reflect significant changes in rates, there shall be reported for each heading or subheading in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated for Statistical Reporting Purposes, the ad valorem or ad valorem equivalent rate of duty which would have been required to be imposed on dutiable imports under that heading or subheading, if the United States customs values of such imports were based on the United States port of entry value (as reported in accordance with the first sentence of subsection (e)) in order to collect the same amount of duties on imports under that heading or subheading as are currently collected.
Shippers’ Export Declarations (or any successor document), wherever located, shall be exempt from public disclosure unless the Secretary determines that such exemption would be contrary to the national interest.
The Secretary is authorized to require by regulation the filing of Shippers’ Export Declarations under this chapter through an automated and electronic system for the filing of export information established by the Department of the Treasury.
Amendment by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, see section 4(b) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. B, title XII, § 1252(c)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–506, provided that:
“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect 270 days after the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology jointly provide a certification to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives that a secure Automated Export System available through the Internet that is capable of handling the expected volume of information required to be filed under subsection (b) [set out below], plus the anticipated volume from voluntary use of the Automated Export System, has been successfully implemented and tested and is fully functional with respect to reporting all items on the United States Munitions List, including their quantities and destinations.”
[The Automated Export System Certification Report was submitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on June 11, 2001, and to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives on May 31, 2001. See 66 F.R. 39006.]
Amendment by section 1214(a)(2) of Pub. L. 100–418 effective Jan. 1, 1989, and applicable with respect to articles entered on or after such date, see section 1217(b)(1) of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3001 of Title 19, Customs Duties.
Pub. L. 96–275, § 4, June 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 540, provided that:
“(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act, and the amendments made by this Act [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section], shall become effective on the later of July 1, 1980 , or the date of enactment of this Act [ June 17, 1980 ]. “(b) The amendment made by section 2 [amending section 93 of former Title 46, Shipping] shall become effective on the date which is forty-five days after the date of enactment of this Act [ June 17, 1980 ].”
Pub. L. 96–39, title XI, § 1108(b), July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 314, provided that:
“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to reports made after December 31, 1979 .”
Pub. L. 93–618, title VI, § 609(b), Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2075, provided that:
“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 1975 .”
Pub. L. 87–826, § 4, Oct. 15, 1962, 76 Stat. 953, provided that:
“The provisions of this Act [enacting section 301 et seq. of this title and repealing sections 173, 174, 177, 179, 181, 184 to 187, and 193 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, sections 92 and 95 of former Title 46, Shipping, and section 1486 of Title 48 , Territories and Insular Possessions] shall take effect one hundred and eighty days after approval [ Oct. 15, 1962 ], except that the last sentence of section 337, ‘Fifth’ of the Revised Statutes [ section 174 of Title 15 ], and the requirement for oaths as found in section 4200 of the Revised Statutes [section 92 of former Title 46] shall be repealed effective on the date this Act is approved [ Oct. 15, 1962 ].”
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. B, title XII, § 1252(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–506, provided that:
“(1) In general .— The Secretary of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall publish regulations in the Federal Register to require that, upon the effective date of those regulations, exporters (or their agents) who are required to file Shippers’ Export Declarations under chapter 9 of title 13, United States Code, file such Declarations through the Automated Export System with respect to exports of items on the United States Munitions List or the Commerce Control List. “(2) Elements of the regulations .— The regulations referred to in paragraph (1) shall include at a minimum— “(A) provision by the Department of Commerce for the establishment of on-line assistance services to be available for those individuals who must use the Automated Export System; “(B) provision by the Department of Commerce for ensuring that an individual who is required to use the Automated Export System is able to print out from the System a validated record of the individual’s submission, including the date of the submission and a serial number or other unique identifier, where appropriate, for the export transaction; and “(C) a requirement that the Department of Commerce print out and maintain on file a paper copy or other acceptable back-up record of the individual’s submission at a location selected by the Secretary of Commerce.”
Pub. L. 107–228, div. B, title XIV, § 1404(a)–(c), Sept. 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 1454, provided that:
“(a) Contribution to the Automated Export System .— Of the amount provided under section 1402 of this Act [ 116 Stat. 1453 ], $250,000 is authorized to be available for the purpose of— “(1) providing the Department [of State] with full access to the Automated Export System; “(2) ensuring that the system is modified to meet the needs of the Department [of State], if such modifications are consistent with the needs of other United States Government agencies; and “(3) providing operational support. “(b) Mandatory Filing .— The Secretary of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of [the] Treasury, shall publish regulations in the Federal Register to require, upon the effective date of those regulations, that all persons who are required to file export information under chapter 9 of title 13, United States Code, file such information through the Automated Export System. “(c) Requirement for Information Sharing .— The Secretary [of State] shall conclude an information-sharing arrangement with the heads of the United States Customs Service and the Census Bureau— “(1) to allow the Department [of State] to access information on controlled exports made through the United States Postal Service; and “(2) to adjust the Automated Export System to parallel information currently collected by the Department.”
[For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.]
Pub. L. 100–418, title I, § 1931(b), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1320, required the Director of the Census to conduct a study, to be reported to Congress by one year after Aug. 23, 1988, to determine the feasibility of developing and publishing an index that measures the real volume of merchandise trade on a monthly basis, which would be reported simultaneously with the balance of merchandise trade for the United States.
Pub. L. 96–275, § 3, June 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 540, provided that:
“Nothing in this Act [enacting subsec. (g) of this section, amending section 93 of former Title 46, Shipping, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] shall be construed as authorizing the withholding of information from Congress.”
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. B, title XII, subtitle E, § 1256], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–507, provided that:
“In this subtitle [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as notes above]: “(1) Automated export system .— The term ‘Automated Export System’ means the automated and electronic system for filing export information established under chapter 9 of title 13, United States Code, on June 19, 1995 (60 Federal Register 32040). “(2) Commerce control list .— The term ‘Commerce Control List’ has the meaning given the term in section 774.1 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations. “(3) Shippers’ export declaration .— The term ‘Shippers’ Export Declaration’ means the export information filed under chapter 9 of title 13, United States Code, as described in part 30 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations. “(4) United states munitions list .— The term ‘United States Munitions List’ means the list of items controlled under section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2778 ).”
The Secretary may make such rules, regulations, and orders as he deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Any rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant to this authority may be established in such form or manner, may contain such classifications or differentiations, and may provide for such adjustments and reasonable exceptions as in the judgment of the Secretary are necessary or proper to effectuate the purpose of this chapter, or to prevent circumvention or evasion of any rule, regulation, or order issued hereunder. The Secretary may also provide by rule or regulation, for such confidentiality, publication, or disclosure, of information collected hereunder as he may deem necessary or appropriate in the public interest. Rules, regulations, and orders, or amendments thereto shall have the concurrence of the Secretary of the Treasury prior to promulgation.
To assist the Secretary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall collect information in the form and manner prescribed by the regulations issued pursuant to this chapter from persons engaged in foreign commerce or trade and from the owners or operators of carriers.
The information or reports in connection with the exportation or transportation of cargo required to be filed by carriers with the Secretary of the Treasury under any rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to this chapter may be filed after the departure of such carrier from the port or place of exportation or transportation, whether such departing carrier is destined directly to a foreign port or place or to a noncontiguous area, or proceeds by way of other ports or places of the United States, provided that a bond in an approved form in a penal sum of $10,000 is filed with the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary of Commerce may, by a rule, regulation, or order issued in conformity herewith, prescribe a maximum period after such departure during which the required information or reports may be filed. In the event any such information or report is not filed within such prescribed period, a penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each day’s delinquency beyond the prescribed period, but not more than $10,000 per violation shall be exacted. Civil suit may be instituted in the name of the United States against the principal and surety for the recovery of any penalties that may accrue and be exacted in accordance with the terms of the bond.
Any person, other than a person described in subsection (a), required to submit export information, shall file such information in accordance with any rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to this chapter. In the event any such information or reports are not filed within such prescribed period, the Secretary of Commerce (and officers of the Department of Commerce specifically designated by the Secretary) may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each day’s delinquency beyond the prescribed period, but not more than $10,000 per violation.
The Secretary may remit or mitigate any penalty incurred for violations of this section and regulations issued pursuant thereto if, in his opinion, they were incurred without willful negligence or fraud, or other circumstances justify a remission or mitigation.
Any person who knowingly fails to file or knowingly submits false or misleading export information through the Shippers Export Declaration (SED) (or any successor document) or the Automated Export System (AES) shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 per violation or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.
Any person who knowingly reports any information on or uses the SED or the AES to further any illegal activity shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 per violation or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.
Any person who is convicted under this subsection shall, in addition to any other penalty, be subject to forfeiting to the United States—
any of that person’s interest in, security of, claim against, or property or contractual rights of any kind in the goods or tangible items that were the subject of the violation;
any of that person’s interest in, security of, claim against, or property or contractual rights of any kind in tangible property that was used in the export or attempt to export that was the subject of the violation; and
any of that person’s property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation.
The Secretary (and officers of the Department of Commerce specifically designated by the Secretary) may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per violation on any person violating the provisions of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder, except as provided in section 304. Such penalty may be in addition to any other penalty imposed by law.
Whenever a civil penalty is sought for a violation of this section or of section 304, the charged party is entitled to receive a formal complaint specifying the charges and, at his or her request, to contest the charges in a hearing before an administrative law judge. Any such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with sections 556 and 557 of title 5, United States Code.
If any person fails to pay a civil penalty imposed under this chapter, the Secretary may request the Attorney General to commence a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States to recover the amount imposed (plus interest at currently prevailing rates from the date of the final order). No such action may be commenced more than 5 years after the date the order imposing the civil penalty becomes final. In such action, the validity, amount, and appropriateness of such penalty shall not be subject to review.
The Secretary may remit or mitigate any penalties imposed under paragraph (1) if, in the Secretary’s opinion—
the penalties were incurred without willful negligence or fraud; or
other circumstances exist that justify a remission or mitigation.
If, pursuant to section 306, the Secretary delegates functions under this section to another agency, the provisions of law of that agency relating to penalty assessment, remission or mitigation of such penalties, collection of such penalties, and limitations of actions and compromise of claims, shall apply.
Any amount paid in satisfaction of a civil penalty imposed under this section or section 304 shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury and credited as miscellaneous receipts.
The Secretary of Commerce may designate officers or employees of the Office of Export Enforcement to conduct investigations pursuant to this chapter. In conducting such investigations, those officers or employees may, to the extent necessary or appropriate to the enforcement of this chapter, exercise such authorities as are conferred upon them by other laws of the United States, subject to policies and procedures approved by the Attorney General.
The Commissioner of Customs 1 may designate officers or employees of the Customs Service to enforce the provisions of this chapter, or to conduct investigations pursuant to this chapter.
The Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate regulations for the implementation and enforcement of this section.
The criminal fines provided for in this section are exempt from the provisions of section 3571 of title 18, United States Code.
Reference to Commissioner of Customs deemed to be reference to Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection pursuant to section 802(d)(2) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6. For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in Pub. L. 107–296 as of Nov. 25, 2002, see section 211 of Title 6, as amended generally by Pub. L. 114–125, and section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125, set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6.
Subject to the concurrence of the head of the department or agency concerned, the Secretary may make such provisions as he shall deem appropriate, authorizing the performance by any officer, agency, or employee of the United States Government departments or offices, or the governments of any areas over which the United States exercises sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control, of any function of the Secretary, contained in this chapter.
The following sections only, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 21, 22, 23, 24, 211, 212, 213, and 214, of chapters 1 through 7 of this title are applicable to this chapter.
CHAPTER 10— EXCHANGE OF CENSUS INFORMATION
The Bureau of the Census shall exchange with the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce information collected under this title, and under the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act, that pertains to any business enterprise that is operating in the United States, if the Secretary of Commerce determines such information is appropriate to augment and improve the quality of data collected under the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act. Information provided to the Bureau of Economic Analysis by the Bureau of the Census shall be only those data collected directly from respondents by the Bureau of the Census.
The Director of the Bureau requesting information under this section shall make the request in writing and shall certify that the information will be used only for statistical activities performed to improve the quality of data collected under the authority of title 13, United States Code, and the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.
As used in subsection (a), the terms “business enterprise” and “United States” have the meanings given those terms in section 3 of the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.
The Bureau of the Census may provide business data to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“Designated Statistical Agencies”) if such information is required for an authorized statistical purpose and the provision is the subject of a written agreement with that Designated Statistical Agency, or their successors, as defined in section 3576(e) of title 44 .
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–435 effective 180 days after Jan. 14, 2019, see section 403 of Pub. L. 115–435, set out as a note under section 306 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
For transitional and savings provisions related to the amendment of this section and other provisions of law by title III of Pub. L. 115–435, see section 302(d) of Pub. L. 115–435, set out as a note under section 3561 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.