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USDA - 84641 - USDA Equity Commission - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	USDA Equity Commission	Agency Name	Department of Agriculture
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	84641
Original Establishment Date	10/14/2021	Committee Status	Terminated
Actual Termination Date	12/31/2024	Committee URL	http://www.usda.gov/equity-commission
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	28
Terminated This FY	Yes	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Deputy Director
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	9/29/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Cecilia
Date Of Renewal Charter	9/29/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	A.
Projected Termination Date	12/31/2024	Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Hernandez
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 913-5907
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	Section 1006(b)(3) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub. L. 117-2	Designated Federal Officer Email*	cecilia.hernandez@usda.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	3/11/2021
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Terminate
Legislation to Terminate Required	No
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The American Rescue Plan Act provides for USDA to “address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector,” which includes “fund[ing] one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs.” The purpose of the EC is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices—internal, external, discretionary, and statutory—that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social, disparities. The EC will provide the Secretary of Agriculture with a set of actionable recommendations of steps USDA can take—working with Congress or otherwise—to modify USDA programs, policies, practices, culture, systems, and structures to reduce these disparities and advance racial justice and equity for under-served communities.
How is membership balanced?*	The status/position of membership appointments (Special Government Employee or Representative) for individuals with related experience or expertise in ways and means of advancing equity for all, including people of color and under-served communities and those adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality, will be determined at the time of the member’s retention, designation, or appointment. The criteria for consideration for membership for both the EC steering committee and subcommittees includes demographic diversity, regional diversity, diversity in background, and diversity in experience and expertise.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The EC may meet up to four times per year (either virtually or in person, or as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture).
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The purpose of the EC is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices—internal, external, discretionary, and statutory—that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health, and social disparities.
Why close or partially close meetings?	Meetings will be open to the public unless exemptions exist under the Government Sunshine Act.
Recommendation Remarks	The EC has completed its description of duties including developing an interim and final report with recommendations and were provided to the USDA Secretary in February 2023 and February 2024. Membership expires on December 31, 2024. It is recommended that the EC be terminated effective December 31, 2024.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	Yes
Outcome Effective Grant Making	Yes	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed
Outcome Comment		Number Of Grants Recommended
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended
Cost Savings Comment		Grants Review Comment
Number Of Recommendations*	66	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	The commission passed a total of 66 recommendations that was published in the final report in February 2024. FY2023 = 37 recommendations. FY2022 = 29 recommendations.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	13.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	Of the 66 recommendations, there are 56 that do not require legislative action and 7 of which have been fully implemented.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	73.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	Of the 66 recommendations, there are 56 that do not require legislative action and 41 of which have been partially implemented.	Access Other
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment
Agency Feedback Comment*	In February 2023, USDA published a document titled, "Response to USDA Equity Commission Interim Report", that highlighted a subset of actions underway within the Department. Then, in February 2024, USDA published a document titled, "A New Path Forward: A Progress Report on the Implementation of the Equity Commission's Recommendations", that expanded on the initial response and included updates on the final set of recommendations.	Narrative Description*	This 15-member independent commission is charged with evaluating USDA programs and services and will recommend how we can reduce barriers for accessing them. Using this information, USDA will make needed changes so that our programs, services and decisions reflect the values of equity and inclusion. This will ensure everyone has a fair shot at resources, begin closing the racial wealth gap and addressing longstanding inequities in agriculture. The work of the Equity Commission will empower USDA to objectively confront the hard reality of past discrimination and its lingering harm; helping USDA build back better and serve our customers more fairly and equitably.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	3/14/2025 12:48 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Agriculture Rural Development Forestry Agriculture Civil Rights Civil Rights Disabled Equal Opportunity Minorities Native Americans Women Communications Broadcasting and Communications Computer Technology Internet Emergency Disaster Assistance Earthquake, Flood, and Fire Hazards and Administration Finance Credit Finance Government Federal Government Internal Federal Government State Government Tribal Government Health Nutrition Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children Housing and Urban Housing and Urban Development Labor Employment Job Training Occupational Safety and Health Wages Workforce and Occupations Land Land Management and Use Legislation Jurisprudence Legislation Regulations Regulatory Negotiation Rulemaking Trade Competitiveness Water Water Use

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