Guarantees of professional independence

(a) Final authority The Head of a Covered Statistical Agency shall have final and unencumbered authority over the professional and technical decisions of the agency, including: (1) The methodologies, procedures, and scientific processes used to collect and analyze data. (2) The content of all statistical reports, press releases, and other official publications. (3) The timing and scheduling of the release of statistical data, which shall be made public in advance and may only be altered for technical, non-political reasons, with any such alteration being accompanied by a public, written explanation. (b) Personnel No political test or qualification shall be used in the appointment, evaluation, or promotion of any professionally qualified employee of a Covered Statistical Agency.