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HR 237

CENSUS: Memorializes Congress to enact a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act directing the Department of Defense to provide accurate on-base population counts for the decennial census

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beth Billings and 10 co-sponsors

The bill urges Congress to require DoD to send official on-base population counts directly to the Census Bureau for the decennial census.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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Bill Summary · HR 237

Summary of Bill HR 237 (Louisiana 2026 Regular Session)

Title

Census: Memorializes Congress to enact a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act directing the Department of Defense to provide accurate on-base population counts for the decennial census

Purpose and Intent

  • To urge and memorialize the United States Congress to amend the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) so that the Department of Defense (DoD) furnishes official on-base population counts directly to the U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Specifically targets military installations located in the contiguous United States.

Key Provisions

  • The Louisiana House of Representatives memorializes Congress to include in the NDAA a provision that requires the DoD to provide the exact number of:
    • Military personnel
    • Civilian DoD employees
    • Dependent family members residing on each military installation
  • These counts would be supplied directly to the U.S. Census Bureau for the decennial census.
  • The proposal envisions counts for all military installations in the contiguous United States (i.e., excluding Alaska and Hawaii).

Affected Parties and Entities

  • Primary: United States Congress (via NDAA), Department of Defense, U.S. Census Bureau.
  • Secondary: Military installations within the contiguous United States (e.g., Fort Polk, Barksdale Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans are cited as Louisiana examples).
  • State and local communities could benefit from more accurate on-base population data used for federal funding and representation.

Rationale and Background Presented

  • The Constitution requires a census every ten years for enumeration (Article I, Section 2).
  • Accurate counts influence:
    • Fair apportionment of Congressional seats
    • Proper allocation of federal funding
    • Accurate representation of communities
  • Historical undercounts have occurred on military bases due to door-to-door enumeration challenges. A notable example cited: 2020 Census undercount at Fort Polk (official counts differed from actual population).
  • DoD and installation garrison offices routinely track precise on-base populations, suggesting a streamlined, accurate source of data if shared with the Census Bureau.
  • Potential benefits highlighted: improved accuracy, administrative efficiency, reduced enumeration costs, and reallocation of census resources toward more complex tasks elsewhere.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • This is a memorial resolution requesting action by Congress; it does not itself change law but urges Congressional action.
  • If adopted, it would advocate inclusion of a specific NDAA provision directing DoD to provide official counts to the Census Bureau during each decennial census.
  • The resolution directs that copies be transmitted to:
    • Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
    • President of the U.S. Senate
    • Louisiana’s congressional delegation
    • Secretary of Defense

Practical Implications

  • Potentially improves census accuracy for military populations in the contiguous United States.
  • Could reduce on-base census collection activities and associated costs.
  • May streamline funding allocations and representation calculations that depend on on-base population data.

Status

  • Action: Read by title (as of 2026-05-05).
  • Sponsorship: Primary – Representative Owen; Co-sponsors – Representative Dodie Horton, Representative Jacob Braud.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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