The "Equity in Government Act" aims to significantly improve the equitable provision of federal services to underserved communities and individuals by integrating equity considerations across agency operations. It mandates that federal agencies include specific goals, comprising at least one or 20 percent of their total, within their strategic plans, performance plans, and priority goals, directly related to enhancing equitable service delivery. This includes broadening stakeholder engagement to incorporate non-governmental organizations, academic partners, and community groups in the planning process. The bill establishes new structures to support these equity initiatives, including the creation of Agency Equity Advisory Teams , led by Performance Improvement Officers, with diverse representation from various agency departments. Additionally, an Equity Subcommittee is formed within the Performance Improvement Council to assist the Office of Management and Budget in developing guidance, facilitate information sharing on best practices, and coordinate with data-focused groups to ensure equitable data use. Furthermore, the legislation amends the responsibilities of Chief Data Officers and the Chief Data Officer Council to explicitly prioritize equitable data collection, use, and policymaking. It establishes an Equitable Data Working Group within the Council, tasked with ensuring that all data-related functions are carried out with an equity focus. The bill also defines "underserved communities" as populations or geographic areas systematically denied full opportunities in economic, social, and civic life, and mandates a Government Accountability Office evaluation of these new data-related duties.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Government Operations and Politics
Equity in Government Act
USA119th CongressHR-4524| House
| Updated: 7/17/2025
The "Equity in Government Act" aims to significantly improve the equitable provision of federal services to underserved communities and individuals by integrating equity considerations across agency operations. It mandates that federal agencies include specific goals, comprising at least one or 20 percent of their total, within their strategic plans, performance plans, and priority goals, directly related to enhancing equitable service delivery. This includes broadening stakeholder engagement to incorporate non-governmental organizations, academic partners, and community groups in the planning process. The bill establishes new structures to support these equity initiatives, including the creation of Agency Equity Advisory Teams , led by Performance Improvement Officers, with diverse representation from various agency departments. Additionally, an Equity Subcommittee is formed within the Performance Improvement Council to assist the Office of Management and Budget in developing guidance, facilitate information sharing on best practices, and coordinate with data-focused groups to ensure equitable data use. Furthermore, the legislation amends the responsibilities of Chief Data Officers and the Chief Data Officer Council to explicitly prioritize equitable data collection, use, and policymaking. It establishes an Equitable Data Working Group within the Council, tasked with ensuring that all data-related functions are carried out with an equity focus. The bill also defines "underserved communities" as populations or geographic areas systematically denied full opportunities in economic, social, and civic life, and mandates a Government Accountability Office evaluation of these new data-related duties.