H.R. 9610 – Equity in Agency Planning Act of 2022

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM UTC

The Equity in Agency Planning Act of 2022 requires federal agencies to embed equity goals in their planning and performance processes. It mandates that each agency’s strategic, performance, and priority goal sets include at least one goal—or at least 20 % of the total goals—focused on improving services for underserved communities and individuals. The bill also defines key terms and calls for broader stakeholder involvement, affecting all federal agencies and the underserved populations they serve.

Key Provisions

Adds a requirement that agency strategic plans must contain at least one equity goal (or 20 % of goals) aimed at improving services for underserved communities and individuals.
Requires agencies to involve NGOs, academic and research partners, state and local governments, and community or advocacy groups in developing these plans.
Provides definitions for “State,” “underserved communities,” and “underserved individual” to guide implementation.
Amends agency performance plans to include at least one equity performance goal (or 20 % of goals) and to involve the same range of external stakeholders.
Mandates that at least one priority goal (or 20 % of priority goals) for each agency must relate to equitable service provision to underserved communities and individuals.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

December 16, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 16, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

December 16, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 16, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9610

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 16, 2022

Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York (for herself and Ms. Pressley) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform

A BILL

To amend section 306 of title 5, United States Code, and sections 1115 and 1120 of title 31, United States Code, to improve the equitable provision of services to underserved communities and individuals, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Equity in Agency Planning Act of 2022.

2.

Amendments

(a)

Agency strategic plans

Section 306 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(2), by inserting after of the agency the following: , with at least one goal, or 20 percent of the total number of goals, whichever is greater, relating to improving the equitable provision of services to underserved communities and individuals;

(2)

in subsection (d), by inserting after in such a plan the following: , including nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders, including academic and research partners, State and local governments, and community and advocacy groups, that can address how to improve the equitable provision of services to underserved communities and individuals; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)

Additional definitions

In this section and sections 1115 and 1120 of title 31:

(1)

State

The term State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian Tribe.

(2)

Underserved communities

The term underserved communities means populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life.

(3)

Underserved individual

The term underserved individual means a member of an underrepresented community.

.

(b)

Agency performance plans

Section 1115(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by inserting after and the next fiscal year the following: , with at least one performance goal, or 20 percent of the total number of performance goals, whichever is greater, relating to improving the equitable provision of services to underserved communities and individuals; and

(2)

in paragraph (5)(D), by inserting after other agencies the following: , nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders, including academic and research partners, State and local governments, and community and advocacy groups,.

(c)

Agency priority goals

Section 1120(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: At least one of the priority goals of each agency, or 20 percent of the priority goals of the agency, whichever is greater, shall be related to improving the equitable provision of services to underserved communities and individuals..