Relating to efforts to encourage full participation in the 2020 federal decennial census by the residents of this state, including the establishment of the Complete Count Commission.
The primary impact of this bill will be a coordinated effort by state and local agencies to increase awareness and encourage participation in the census, particularly among traditionally hard-to-count populations. The commission will oversee initiatives that range from school-based programs to partnerships with non-profit organizations and a multilingual, multimedia campaign aimed at reaching a larger audience, thus potentially improving demographic representation and funding allocations based on census results.
Senate Bill 1934, known as the Every Texan Counts Act, is designed to enhance participation in the 2020 federal decennial census among Texas residents. The bill establishes the Complete Count Commission, tasked with developing and recommending outreach strategies to ensure that all residents are accurately counted. It emphasizes the involvement of various stakeholders, including state agencies, local governments, and community organizations, making almost every facet of the outreach dynamic adaptable and inclusive of Texas's diverse populace.
One notable point of contention revolves around the realization of this outreach strategy and its effectiveness. The bill includes provisions for a grant program that offers funding to local governments for their outreach efforts. However, there are concerns regarding the management of these funds and whether they will adequately reach and support the intended hard-to-count communities. Additionally, as the commission operates until September 1, 2021, questions about its long-term impact and sustainability remain, especially considering the dynamic nature of census participation and demographic shifts.