To require the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to develop a methodology for measuring the cost of living in each State, and to require the Comptroller General to determine how certain Federal benefits would be increased if the determination of those benefits were based on that methodology.

November 21, 2003

Mr. TIERNEY (for himself, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA, Mr. OLVER, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. OWENS, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, and Ms. WOOLSEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To require the Commissioner of Labor Statistics to develop a methodology for measuring the cost of living in each State, and to require the Comptroller General to determine how certain Federal benefits would be increased if the determination of those benefits were based on that methodology.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Cost of Living Measurement and Index Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. COST OF LIVING METHODOLOGY.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner of Labor Statistics shall develop a methodology for determining the cost of living in each State, which accounts for the costs of housing, goods, and services.

(b) ELEMENTS OF METHODOLOGY- The methodology developed under this section shall include indices for measuring the cost of living in a State.

(c) REPORT- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics shall transmit to the Congress and the Comptroller General a report that contains the methodology developed under this section.

SEC. 3. STUDY BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Comptroller General shall conduct a study in which the methodology developed under section 2 is applied to determine how Federal benefits provided to beneficiaries in each State under the programs described in subsection (b) would be distributed if--

(1) the cost of living in each State, as determined under the methodology, were a factor in the determination of such benefits; and

(2) the methodology were applied so that Federal benefits vary only to the extent that such determination would result in an increase of benefits to beneficiaries in a State.

(b) INCLUDED FEDERAL BENEFIT PROGRAMS- The study under subsection (a) shall include determination of increases in benefits provided under the following:

(1) The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).

(2) Section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, relating to the earned income tax credit.

(3) All Federal housing assistance programs.

(4) The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program.

(5) The Food Stamp Program.

(6) All other Federal nutrition assistance programs, but only to the extent that they provide vouchers, coupons, cash grants, or cash reimbursements.

(c) REPORT- Not later than 6 months after the date of receipt of the report from the Commissioner of Labor Statistics under section 2(c), the Comptroller General shall transmit a report to the Congress that contains the following:

(1) The results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

(2) A description of the increases in benefits determined under subsection (b).

(3) A description of any additional data that should be obtained and considered to confirm or improve those results and determinations.

(4) Recommendations for any changes in the methodology developed under section 2 that would ensure more accurate determination of the cost of living in a State, including any appropriate changes in the indices that should be used to measure such cost.

(5) An estimate of the costs to the Federal Government of using the methodology developed under section 2 to determine Federal benefits under the programs referred to in subsection (b) of this section, including any change in such costs that would result from implementing the recommendations made under paragraph (4) of this subsection.

(6) Recommendations for any changes in law that are necessary or appropriate to ensure that the cost of living in a State, as determined under the methodology developed in section 2, is a factor in the determination of Federal benefits provided to beneficiaries in that State under the programs described in subsection (b), but only to the extent that such determination would result in an increase of benefits to beneficiaries in a State.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Commissioner of Labor Statistics $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.

END