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117-s-1941117th Congress

MAPS Act of 2021

Sponsored By: Senator Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Became Law

Summary

This law requires federal agencies to adopt a single, standardized approach to defining metropolitan areas by using core-based statistical area delineations (CBSAs). It also blocks those statistical updates from automatically changing how programs determine eligibility or distribute funds and builds new transparency and oversight around non-statistical uses.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

No automatic metro area changes in aid programs

Beginning on enactment, agencies cannot auto-update program rules when metro area maps change. An agency may use a new map only if it decides the change supports the program and is in the public interest. It must adopt the change through notice-and-comment rulemaking. This prevents sudden eligibility or funding shifts tied only to map updates.

Public tracker of program metro area use

The OMB Director collects and publishes how programs use metro areas for non-statistical purposes. Agencies must report if they adopted the latest map, which older map they kept, the purpose (like eligibility or funding), whether it applies to prime recipients or subrecipients, and the last update date. The data is open, searchable, downloadable, and easy to find. It is updated at least yearly, with full access features in place within 2 years of enactment. Within 3 years, GAO reports to Congress on the data’s quality and gaps.

Public, expert basis for metro area changes

The law requires a public report for any change to the metro area standards. The report explains the science, criteria, methods, and clear numeric thresholds. It includes views from domestic and international experts, including Census experts. Changes cannot be driven by program or service concerns, and they do not auto-apply to non-statistical uses.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 7/12/2021

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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