,,iii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cehc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #f1 #bjbf,mr4 ,husted introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,finance ,a ,,bill ,to establish a pilot program in which ,states may use consolidated funds1 through ,upward ,mobility ,grants1 for antipoverty programs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,upward ,mobility ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,consolidation of antipoverty programs 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,antipoverty objectives ,the term antipoverty objectives means the objectives described in subsection 7b77#b74 7#b7 ,antipoverty program ,the term antipoverty program means the set of activities for which a covered amount may be used4 7#c7 ,covered amount 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the term covered amount means-- 7i7 an amount that a ,state is eligible to receive in ,federal funds1 through a grant1 contract1 or other payment-- 7,i7 under subsection 7a7 or 7h7 of section #af of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjbe7 7relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program72 7,,ii7 for benefits 7as defined in section #c of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjab77 for participants of the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 pursuant to section #d7;a77#a7 of that ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjac7;a77#a772 7,,iii7 under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 of section #djc7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjc7;a77 7relating to the temporary assistance for needy families program ,state family assistance grant72 7,,iv7 under section #feh,o7b7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehm7b771 from amounts appropriated under that ,act or under section #dah7;a77#c77;,a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fah7;a77#c77;,a77 7relating to a program of child care services72 7,v7 under section #bfjd 7other than subsection 7e771 #bfjg;,a1 #bfjg;,b1 or #bfji;,a of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbc1 #hfbf;a1 #hfbf;b1 or #hfbh;a7 7relating to programs of home energy assistance72 7,,vi7 under section #acb7;b77#b77;,b7 or section #agj of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caga7;b77#b77;,b71 #cbbe7 7relating to assistance for dislocated workers72 and 7,,vii7 under subsection 7b7 or 7d7 of section #ajf of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjf7 7relating to community development72 7ii7 the amount that public housing agencies1 as defined in section #c7;b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b771 located in a ,state are eligible to receive through allocations-- 7,i7 under section #h7o7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77 for tenant-based assistance2 and 7,,ii7 under section #i of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;g7 for public housing from the ,capital ,fund and ,operating ,fund2 and 7iii7 the amount that persons and families located in a ,state 7other than members of an ,indian tribe7 are eligible to receive in ,federal assistance under section #eba of the ,housing ,act of #aidi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adij;a74 7,b7 ,rule ,the term covered amount-- 7i7 includes an amount described in subparagraph 7,a7 whether or not the ,state or public housing agency involved is directed to use the amount to provide funding for localities or other entities under ,federal law1 subject to clause 7ii72 and 7ii7 does not include any amount described in subparagraph 7,a7 that a ,state or public housing agency is so directed to use to provide funding for an ,indian tribe4 7#d7 ,direct assistance benefits ,the term direct assistance benefits means-- 7,a7 nutrition 7including food7 benefits2 7,b7 cash benefits for low-income families and individuals2 7,c7 child care subsidies2 7,d7 home energy 7including utility7 assistance2 7,e7 employment and training services provided directly to a dislocated worker2 and 7,f7 housing 7including rent7 subsidies4 7#e7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#f7 ,marginal ,effective ,tax ,rate ,the term ,marginal ,effective ,tax ,rate1 used with respect to an individual1 means the percentage of an increase in earned income attributable to the individual's employment1 as determined for a ,state under subsection 7j77#b71 that is offset by-- 7,a7 the combined reduction or loss in value of per-capita direct assistance for the individual2 and 7,b7 the combined increase in ,federal1 ,state1 and local income and payroll taxes for the individual4 7#g7 ,per-capita direct assistance ,the term per-capita direct assistance1 used with respect to a ,state1 means-- 7,a7 the total amount of ,federal funding used in a pilot project in any year for direct assistance benefits from the funding sources listed in paragraph 7#c72 divided by 7,b7 the population of the ,state4 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,assistant ,secretary for ,children and ,families4 7#i7 ,state ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states of the ,united ,states1 and the ,district of ,columbia4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to achieve the goals of-- 7,a7 streamlining service delivery and reducing inconsistent eligibility requirements and benefit cliffs through pilot projects promoting antipoverty objectives2 7,b7 promoting upward mobility through improved employment outcomes described in subsection 7j77#b77;,b71 including increased employment and earnings1 among participants in a pilot project2 and 7,c7 providing incentives to ,states to reduce dependence on per-capita direct assistance through the pilot projects by enabling individuals to achieve the improved employment outcomes2 and 7#b7 to accomplish those goals by authorizing ,states to apply to receive ,upward ,mobility ,grants for the purpose of carrying out a pilot project to promote antipoverty objectives1 consisting of-- 7,a7 reduced benefit cliffs through benefit structures that limit ,marginal ,effective ,tax ,rates2 and 7,b7 increased levels of employment and earnings among participants in programs covered by the pilot project1 skills acquisition1 housing 7including rental housing7 affordability1 access to nutrition1 reduced home energy costs1 affordable child care1 and temporary assistance to low-income families4 7c7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,there is established a pilot program through which the ,secretary may-- 7,a7 permit not more than #e ,states to carry out pilot projects2 and 7,b7 consolidate funding from antipoverty programs into ,upward ,mobility ,grants made under subsection 7d77#a71 and make those grants to the ,states to carry out the projects4 7#b7 ,limited scope pilot projects ,a ,state may elect to seek such permission and consolidated funding to carry out a limited scope pilot project described in the ,state's application under subsection 7f74 7#c7 ,duration ,the ,secretary shall provide the permission and grants described in this subsection for a pilot project for a single period of #e years4 7d7 ,upward ,mobility ,grants 7#a7 ,pilot project grant amounts ,notwithstanding any other provision of ,federal law applicable to an antipoverty program1 except as otherwise provided in this section1 for each fiscal year of the pilot project period applicable to a pilot project approved for a ,state pursuant to subsection 7g71 the ,secretary shall make an ,upward ,mobility ,grant to the ,state1 as calculated under paragraph 7#b71 for purposes of carrying out the project for that fiscal year4 7#b7 ,calculation 7,a7 ,first year ,for the first fiscal year of the pilot project1 the ,secretary shall make an ,upward ,mobility ,grant to the ,state1 in a sum calculated as the total of the covered amounts received by the ,state1 for the preceding fiscal year1 adjusted by the percentage change in the ,personal ,consumption ,expenditures ,price ,index of the ,bureau of ,economic ,analysis of the ,department of ,commerce for such preceding fiscal year4 7,b7 ,subsequent years ,for each fiscal year of the pilot project 7referred to in this subparagraph as a target fiscal year7 after the first fiscal year described in subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall make an ,upward ,mobility ,grant to the ,state1 in an updated sum equal to the sum calculated for the ,state under this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year1 adjusted-- 7i7 by the percentage change in that ,personal ,consumption ,expenditures ,price ,index between the first day of the preceding fiscal year and the first day of the target fiscal year2 and 7ii7 in a manner consistent with the per-capita direct assistance adjustment prohibition described in subsection 7k74 7,c7 ,adjustment for appropriations lapse 7i7 ,first year ,for the purposes of determining1 under subparagraph 7,a71 a total of covered amounts for a preceding fiscal year in which there was a lapse in appropriations1 the total of the covered amounts shall be determined as if the corresponding funding was appropriated for the entire fiscal year4 7ii7 ,subsequent years ,for the purposes of determining1 under subparagraph 7,b71 a sum calculated for a ,state for a preceding fiscal year in which there was a lapse in appropriations1 the sum shall be determined as if the corresponding funding was appropriated for the entire fiscal year4 7,d7 ,limited scope pilot projects ,notwithstanding subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 if a ,state has obtained approval to carry out a limited scope pilot project under this section1 the ,upward ,mobility ,grant for the ,state shall be a percentage1 between #aj and #ajj percent1 as indicated by the ,state in the application submitted under subsection 7f7 of the amount the ,state would otherwise receive under subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b74 7#c7 ,payments ,for each fiscal year quarter during the pilot project1 the ,secretary shall make a payment to the ,state under the ,upward ,mobility ,grant1 equal to #be percent of the amount of the grant4 7e7 ,impact of participation 7#a7 ,waiver ,notwithstanding any other provision of ,federal law applicable to an antipoverty program1 except as otherwise provided in this section1 if a ,state elects to carry out a pilot project and obtains approval of an application under subsection 7g71 the ,secretary shall1 subject to paragraph 7#b7 and consistent with the goals of the antipoverty programs included in the pilot project1 grant the ,state1 for purposes of the pilot project1 such waivers to statutory or regulatory requirements1 as the ,state requests in its application-- 7,a7 relating to consolidating1 replacing1 or altering eligibility requirements2 7,b7 relating to the design1 operation1 or delivery of an antipoverty program2 and 7,c7 relating to the use1 allocation1 or distribution of funding4 7#b7 ,provisions excluded from waiver authority ,a waiver shall not be granted under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to any provision of law relating to-- 7,a7 the goals of any antipoverty program2 7,b7 civil rights or the prohibition of discrimination2 7,c7 health or safety2 7,d7 labor standards under the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bja et seq472 7,e7 environmental protection2 7,f7 any restriction on providing benefits to individuals who are not citizens of or are unlawfully present in the ,united ,states2 7,g7 the protection of religious freedom for providers and beneficiaries of assistance2 7,h7 any funding restriction or limitation provided in an appropriations ,act2 7,i7 a maintenance of effort requirement2 or 7,j7 any requirement that a ,state distribute to a sub-,state entity part or all of an amount paid to the ,state4 7#c7 ,housing programs ,funds made available under a pilot project for the goals of an antipoverty program related to a covered amount described in clause 7i77,,vii71 7ii71 or 7iii7 of subsection 7a77#c77;,a7 shall continue to be provided to the same eligible local entities or recipients as under applicable law in effect as of the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#d7 ,impact on funding 7,a7 ,in general ,during the period of the pilot project-- 7i7 the ,state shall not be eligible to receive ,federal funding for the antipoverty programs1 outside the pilot project2 and 7ii7 individuals receiving per-capita direct assistance through the pilot project shall not be eligible for additional benefits under the antipoverty programs1 outside the pilot project4 7,b7 ,exceptions ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 in the case of a ,state carrying out a limited scope pilot project described in subsection 7c77#b71 the ,state may continue to receive ,federal funding for the antipoverty programs1 outside the pilot project4 7,c7 ,,snap contingency fund 7i7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 on the request of a ,state carrying out a pilot project1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture may use contingency reserve funding made available under the provisions described in clause 7ii7 to provide benefits to individuals receiving per-capita direct assistance through the pilot project under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 during a period of economic downturn1 a natural disaster1 a public health emergency1 or another unanticipated event that increases the demand for those benefits1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7ii7 ,provisions described ,the provisions referred to in clause 7i7 are the following3 7,i7 ,the matter under the heading ,supplemental nutrition assistance program under the heading ,food and ,nutrition ,service under the heading ,domestic ,food ,programs in title ,,iv of division ,b of the ,continuing ,appropriations1 ,agriculture1 ,legislative ,branch1 ,military ,construction and ,veterans ,affairs1 and ,extensions ,act1 #bjbf 7,public ,law #aai-cg74 7,,ii7 ,the matter under the heading ,supplemental nutrition assistance program under the heading ,food and ,nutrition ,service under the heading ,domestic ,food ,programs in title ,,iv of division ,b of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjbd 7,public ,law #aah-db2 #ach ,stat4 #ic74 7,,iii7 ,section #aaji of the ,full-,year ,continuing ,appropriations and ,extensions ,act1 #bjbe 7,public ,law #aai-d2 #aci ,stat4 #ac74 7,d7 ,temporary ,assistance for ,needy ,families 7,,tanf7 ,contingency ,fund ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 on the request of a ,state carrying out a pilot project1 the ,secretary may use funds available under section #djc7;b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjc7;b77 to provide benefits to individuals receiving per-capita direct assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families program established under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq47 through the pilot project during a period of economic downturn1 a natural disaster1 a public health emergency1 or another unanticipated event that increases the demand for those benefits1 as determined by the ,secretary4 ,nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed as requiring the ,state carrying out the pilot project to submit a request under section #djc7;b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjc7;b77 during an eligible month 7as defined in paragraph 7#d7 of such section7 for payment of funds under such section or for the ,secretary to determine that the ,state is an eligible ,state for purposes of such section4 7,e7 ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program 7,,liheap7 ,emergency ,fund ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 on the request of a ,state carrying out a pilot project1 the ,secretary may use funds available under section #bfjb7;e7 of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfba7;e77 7in addition to meeting the objectives described in that section7 to provide benefits to households that include individuals receiving per-capita direct assistance through the pilot project under the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,program established under that ,act during a period of economic downturn1 a natural disaster1 a public health emergency1 or another unanticipated event that increases the demand for those benefits1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,f7 ,emergency funding 7i7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 nothing shall prohibit a ,state carrying out a pilot project from receiving an appropriation described in clause 7ii71 and using that appropriation to provide benefits to individuals receiving per-capita direct assistance through the pilot project4 7ii7 ,appropriation ,an appropriation described in this clause is an appropriation-- 7,i7 for an antipoverty program related to a covered amount described in subsection 7a77#c77;,a72 and 7,,ii7 made in an ,act other than an regular appropriations ,act4 7#e7 ,clarification ,a waiver granted to a ,state under paragraph 7#a7 includes a waiver for agencies1 persons1 and families in the ,state described in clauses 7ii7 and 7iii7 of subsection 7a77#c77;,a74 7f7 ,applications ,to be eligible to receive an ,upward ,mobility ,grant to carry out a pilot project under this section1 a ,state shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7#a7 information stating-- 7,a7 how the ,state will utilize the ,upward ,mobility ,grant to achieve the antipoverty objectives described in subsection 7b77#b77;,b72 7,b7 how the ,state will achieve the goals of the antipoverty programs included in the pilot project involved1 including 7as applicable to the programs included7 skills acquisition1 housing 7including rental housing7 affordability1 access to nutrition1 reduced home energy costs1 affordable child care1 and temporary assistance to low-income families2 and 7,c7 how the ,state will ensure that funds made available under the pilot project for the goals of an antipoverty program related to a covered amount described in clause 7i77,,vii71 7ii71 or 7iii7 of subsection 7a77#c77;,a7 shall continue to be provided to the same eligible local entities or recipients as under applicable law in effect as of the date of enactment of this ,act1 and information demonstrating demonstrable1 substantive1 and robust engagement with those local entities and recipients on the waiver provisions described in subsection 7e77#a74 7#b7 7,a7 information stating which statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to an antipoverty program the ,state requests to be waived1 as described in subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 of subsection 7e77#a72 7,b7 a description of how the ,state will utilize the ,upward ,mobility ,grant funds to design and use a benefit structure for benefits and services provided through the pilot project that promotes upward mobility through improvements on the upward mobility measures outlined in subsection 7j77#b72 and 7,c7 benchmark goals for improvements on those measures2 7#c7 information describing-- 7,a7 the eligibility criteria established by the ,state for pilot project participants2 7,b7 how the ,state1 in carrying out the pilot project1 will-- 7i7 protect beneficiary data and privacy2 7ii7 prevent fraudulent use of funds2 and 7iii7 maintain clear1 auditable records for all funds and services2 and 7,c7 the program integrity measures established by the ,state to ensure that the ,state provides direct assistance benefits to eligible pilot project participants in compliance with the criteria established under subparagraph 7,a7 and requirements established under clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,b72 7#d7 7,a7 information describing how the ,state will apply the work requirement for direct assistance benefit recipients specified in subsection 7h72 and 7,b7 information describing the program integrity measures established by the ,state to ensure compliance with that work requirement2 7#e7 information demonstrating how the ,state will engage nonprofit organizations1 faith-based organizations1 private service providers1 local governments1 and other local entities to deliver holistic1 customized case management and a portion of the services for the pilot project2 7#f7 information describing how the ,state will evaluate the project by contracting under subsection 7j7 with an independent1 third-party evaluator1 and will ensure the most rigorous results from the evaluation and the strongest possible measurement through the evaluation of the causal link between the ,state's proposed benefit structure and the upward mobility measures listed in subsection 7j77#b71 including-- 7,a7 the methodology that will be used to evaluate the pilot project2 7,b7 the data the ,state will collect and provide to the evaluator2 7,c7 the process by which the ,state will collect the data to provide to the evaluator2 and 7,d7 information on the evaluator's qualifications1 including-- 7i7 confirmation that the evaluator is independent from the ,state and from any nonprofit organizations1 faith-based organizations1 private service providers1 local governments1 and other local entities participating in the pilot project2 and 7ii7 information stating whether the evaluator has demonstrated substantial experience in conducting rigorous evaluations1 utilizing the methodology described under subparagraph 7,a72 7#g7 information-- 7,a7 describing how the ,state will utilize fiscal savings resulting from improvements on upward mobility measures under subsection 7j77#b7 to improve program operations and infrastructure of programs covered by the pilot project1 including-- 7i7 establishing a ,state reserve fund to provide temporary per-capita direct assistance benefits to eligible individuals and households during a period of economic downturn1 a natural disaster1 a public health emergency1 or another unanticipated event that increases the demand for those benefits1 as determined by the corresponding ,secretary2 7ii7 using the savings to improve program management1 eligibility verification1 benefits distribution1 compliance monitoring1 and enforcement of the work requirement required under subsection 7h72 7iii7 using the savings for renovation1 expansion1 or maintenance of community facilities to promote antipoverty objectives described in subsection 7b77#b77;,b72 7iv7 using the savings for resources for capacity-building to increase collaboration with and involvement of nonprofit organizations1 faith-based organizations1 private service providers1 local governments1 and other local entities to deliver services funded under the pilot project2 7v7 using the savings to integrate program operations1 improve case management1 streamline client intake1 or reduce administrative duplication2 and 7vi7 providing work supports for individuals who are employed and working hours consistent with section #bfa4cb of title #de1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation71 who are not receiving assistance through the ,upward ,mobility ,grant2 and 7,b7 demonstrating how the supports described in subparagraph 7,a77vi7 will be designed to-- 7i7 increase the level of hours worked for those receiving such a support2 and 7ii7 increase the level of earnings for those receiving such a support2 7#h7 at the election of the ,state1 a proposal-- 7,a7 that describes how the ,state will reduce regulatory barriers for the purpose of increasing market access to1 or lowering the costs of1 nutrition1 child care1 home energy 7including utilities71 employment and training services for dislocated workers1 or housing 7including rental housing7 7referred to in this paragraph as covered basics72 and 7,b7 that includes-- 7i7 identification of existing 7as of the date of submission7 ,state regulatory barriers that limit market entry to1 or production or supply of1 any of the covered basics2 and 7ii7 actions the ,state will take to reduce1 streamline1 or eliminate regulations establishing such barriers2 and 7#i7 in the case of a ,state seeking to carry out a limited scope pilot project-- 7,a7 a detailed description of the more limited scope of the pilot project1 including whether the project will involve a limited percentage of the individuals eligible to participate in the pilot project1 a limited geographic area1 a limited number of antipoverty programs1 or some other limitation on the project2 and 7,b7 information indicating the percentage described in subsection 7d77#b77;,d7 that the ,state seeks to receive through the pilot program4 7g7 ,evaluating and approving applications 7#a7 ,in general ,in order for a ,state to receive an ,upward ,mobility ,grant to carry out a pilot project under this section1 the ,state shall obtain approval from the ,secretary of the application for the pilot project submitted under subsection 7f74 7#b7 ,comment period ,on receiving the application1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 not later than #e days after the date of that receipt1 provide notice on the website of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services of receipt of the application2 and 7,b7 give interested persons1 including stakeholders in the ,state1 an opportunity to submit comments on the application for a #cj-;day period beginning on the date on which the ,secretary provides notice under subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,evaluation of applications ,in evaluating an application to carry out a project1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 evaluate the application based on the extent to which the project-- 7i7 will achieve the antipoverty objectives described in subsection 7b77#b77;,b72 7ii7 will achieve the goals described in subsection 7f77#a77;,b72 and 7iii7 will meet the requirements described in subsection 7f77#a77;,c7 relating to provision of funds and to engagement2 7,b7 evaluate the application based on the extent to which the project will make improvements on the upward mobility measures described in subsection 7j77#b72 and 7,c7 consider the extent to which the methodology of the project evaluation under subsection 7j7 and data collection under subsection 7f7 will-- 7i7 produce rigorous results1 using experimental designs that use-- 7,i7 random assignment2 or 7,,ii7 if random assignment is not feasible1 another reliable1 evidence-based research methodology that allows for the strongest practicable causal inferences2 and 7ii7 provide sufficient contextual information on the characteristics of the population served by the project1 including demographic and geographic information1 to assess the applicability of the project in other settings4 7#d7 ,priority ,in determining which applications to approve under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall give priority to-- 7,a7 applications for a pilot project with a program design that limits-- 7i7 the average ,marginal ,effective ,tax ,rate of an increase in earned income attributable to employment through the pilot project to not more than #ej percent2 and 7ii7 the average ,marginal ,effective ,tax ,rate of an increase in such earned income to not more than #ej percent1 among participants for whom such increase results in lack of eligibility for any per-capita direct assistance2 7,b7 applications the ,secretary projects will most make improvements on the upward mobility measures described in subsection 7j77#b72 7,c7 applications for a pilot project for which the methodology described in paragraph 7#c77;,c7 will use an experimental design that uses-- 7i7 random assignment2 or 7ii7 if random assignment is not feasible-- 7,i7 a natural experiment design2 7,,ii7 a synthetic control method2 7,,iii7 a differences-in-differences technique2 7,,iv7 a regression discontinuity method2 7,v7 an instrumental variable method2 7,,vi7 a panel data with mixed effects method2 7,,vii7 a propensity score matching method2 or 7,,viii7 a cross-sectional regression method2 7,d7 applications that describe program integrity measures that will maximize compliance with-- 7i7 the work requirement described in subsection 7h72 and 7ii7 the requirements established under clauses 7i71 7ii71 7iii7 of subsection 7f77#c77;,b74 7#e7 ,approval or disapproval 7,a7 ,grounds for disapproval ,in reviewing an application1 the ,secretary determines that the project will not achieve the antipoverty objectives described in subsection 7b77#b77;,b71 achieve the goals described in subsection 7f77#a77;,b71 or meet the requirements described in subsection 7f77#a77;,c7 relating to the provision of funds and to engagement1 the ,secretary shall disapprove the application4 ,nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to prevent the ,secretary from disapproving an application for another reason specified in this section4 7,b7 ,timeline ,the ,secretary shall decide whether or not to approve the application not later than #ij days after the date of receipt of the application4 7#f7 ,process after disapproval ,if the ,secretary decides to disapprove the application of a ,state-- 7,a7 the ,secretary shall provide the ,state with a detailed explanation of the decision2 7,b7 the ,state may submit a modified application to the ,secretary for approval2 and 7,c7 if a modified application is submitted1 the ,secretary shall make a decision on approval of the application1 after evaluating and giving priority as described in paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71 not later than #cj days after the date of receipt of the modified application4 7h7 ,work requirement and program integrity 7#a7 ,,snap requirements ,the requirements under subsections 7d7 and 7o7 of section #f of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjae7 shall apply to recipients of direct assistance benefits under a pilot project carried out under this section1 subject to such changes to those requirements as the ,secretary determines necessary4 7#b7 ,regulations2 audit ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 prescribe such regulations as the ,secretary determines necessary and appropriate to ensure compliance with and ,state enforcement of the requirements described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 audit the program integrity measures described in paragraphs 7#c77;,c7 and 7#d77;,b7 of subsection 7f7 established by ,states4 7i7 ,data sharing ,the ,secretary shall facilitate data sharing1 concerning data and other information relating to antipoverty programs1 with ,federal agencies and offices 7other than the ,administration for ,children and ,families of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services7 as necessary to administer the pilot program carried out under this ,act4 ,the ,secretary shall cooperate with each ,state participating in the pilot program to coordinate access by ,federal agencies and offices to data and other information relating to antipoverty programs included in the ,state's pilot project4 7j7 ,evaluations 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,determinations ,each ,state that carries out a pilot project under this ,act shall enter into a contract for an annual independent1 third-party evaluation of the pilot project1 for purposes of determining1 for purposes of this section-- 7i7 per-capita direct assistance1 and per-capita direct assistance described in paragraph 7#b77;,c72 and 7ii7 improvement on the upward mobility measures described in paragraph 7#b71 as described in paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,qualifications ,the evaluator shall demonstrate the independence described in clause 7i71 and the substantial experience described in clause 7ii71 of subsection 7f77#f77;,d74 7#b7 ,upward mobility measures ,the ,state shall require the evaluator to conduct annual evaluations of the pilot project on upward mobility measures1 which measure-- 7,a7 the ,marginal ,effective ,tax ,rates1 for pilot project participants1 of increases in earned income attributable to employment through the pilot project2 7,b7 participant employment outcomes1 consisting of achievement of 7relative to the full fiscal year that precedes the date on which the ,secretary approves the application for the pilot project under subsection 7g7 7referred to in this paragraph as the pre-implementation year77-- 7i7 higher earnings of participants2 7ii7 a higher percentage of participants with employment2 7iii7 a higher percentage of participants with full-time employment2 and 7iv7 a higher percentage of participants who have retained employment2 7,c7 reduction 7relative to the pre-implementation year7 in per-capita direct assistance by reducing the dependence of participants on per-capita direct assistance through improvement in employment outcomes described in subparagraph 7,b72 7,d7 elimination or reduction in 7relative to the pre-implementation year7 marriage penalties for participants2 and 7,e7 reduction 7relative to the pre-implementation year7 in poverty among participants4 7#c7 ,improvement ,the ,state shall require the evaluator1 as part of each annual evaluation1 to measure-- 7,a7 improvement 7relative to the pre-implementation year7 on the upward mobility measures described in paragraph 7#b72 and 7,b7 improvement on the upward mobility measures1 relative to the benchmark goals described under subsection 7f77#b77;,c74 7#d7 ,use of evaluations ,the evaluator shall prepare and submit to the ,secretary a report containing the results of each annual evaluation4 7#e7 ,comparison ,the evaluator shall make comparisons on the upward mobility measures by comparing the outcomes of the entire population enrolled in the antipoverty programs related to a covered amount described in subsection 7a77#c77;,a77i7 for the preceding fiscal year described in subsection 7d77#b77;,a71 to the outcomes for that entire population enrolled in those antipoverty programs 7included in the pilot project or not so included7 for the year covered by the evaluation4 7k7 ,funding adjustment ,no ,state shall receive an adjustment to an ,upward ,mobility ,grant because the ,state increased the amount of the per-capita direct assistance provided1 through an ,upward ,mobility ,grant4 #c4 ,transfers and savings provision 7a7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section1 unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context-- 7#a7 the term ,administration means the ,administration for ,children and ,families2 7#b7 the term covered ,federal agency means an agency1 as defined in section #eea7a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 that carries out an antipoverty program2 7#c7 the term function means any duty1 obligation1 power1 authority1 responsibility1 right1 privilege1 activity1 or program2 7#d7 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,assistant ,secretary for ,children and ,families2 and 7#e7 the term transferred function means a function 7including a part of a function7 transferred under this section4 7b7 ,administrative funding 7#a7 ,amounts to ,states for administrative costs 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding any other provision of this section1 for each ,state carrying out a pilot project under this ,act1 each head of a covered ,federal agency shall transfer to the ,state1 for a fiscal year1 an amount that bears the same relationship to the total amount of funding for administrative costs of the antipoverty program involved for that fiscal year for all ,states as the amount of funding the ,state received for the nonadministrative costs of the program for the prior fiscal year bears to the total amount of funding that all ,states received for those costs for the prior fiscal year4 7,b7 ,determination ,for the purposes of determining1 under subparagraph 7,a71 the funding a ,state received for nonadministrative costs for a prior fiscal year in which there was a lapse in appropriations1 the funding shall be determined as if the corresponding money was appropriated for the entire fiscal year4 7#b7 ,limited scope pilot projects ,for a ,state carrying out a limited scope pilot project under section #b7;c77#b71 the head of the ,federal agency shall adjust the amount to be transferred under paragraph 7#a7 to account for the limited scope4 7c7 ,transfer of functions 7#a7 ,in general ,there are transferred to the ,administration a portion1 determined by the ,office of ,management and ,budget1 of the functions that the heads of covered ,federal agencies exercised before the date of the enactment of this ,act 7including related functions of any officer or employee of a covered ,federal agency74 ,the portion shall consist of those functions 7or parts of functions7 that the ,office determines are appropriate for the ,administration to exercise in carrying out this ,act4 7#b7 ,delegation and assignment ,except where otherwise expressly prohibited by law or otherwise provided by this ,act1 the ,secretary may delegate any of the transferred functions to such officers and employees of the ,administration as the ,secretary may designate1 and may authorize successive redelegations of such functions as may be necessary or appropriate4 ,no delegation of transferred functions by the ,secretary under this section shall relieve such ,secretary of responsibility for the administration of such functions4 7#c7 ,reorganization ,the ,secretary is authorized to allocate or reallocate any transferred function among the officers of the ,administration1 and to establish1 consolidate1 alter1 or discontinue such organizational entities in the ,administration as may be necessary or appropriate4 7#d7 ,transfer and allocations of appropriations and personnel ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act1 the personnel employed in connection with1 and the assets1 liabilities1 contracts1 property1 records1 and unexpended balances of appropriations1 authorizations1 allocations1 and other funds employed1 used1 held1 arising from1 available to1 or to be made available in connection with the transferred functions1 subject to section #aeca of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall be transferred to the ,administration4 ,unexpended funds transferred pursuant to this section shall be used only for the purposes for which the funds were originally authorized and appropriated4 ,the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget shall provide for such further measures and dispositions as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this ,act4 7#e7 ,rules ,the ,secretary is authorized to prescribe1 in accordance with the provisions of chapters #e and #f of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 such rules and regulations as the ,secretary determines necessary or appropriate to administer and manage the functions of the ,administration to carry out section #b4 7#f7 ,transition ,the ,secretary is authorized to utilize-- 7,a7 the services of officers1 employees1 and other personnel of a covered ,federal agency with respect to transferred functions2 and 7,b7 funds appropriated to such functions for such period of time as may reasonably be needed to facilitate the orderly implementation of this ,act4 7d7 ,savings provisions 7#a7 ,continuing effect of legal documents ,all orders1 determinations1 rules1 regulations1 permits1 agreements1 grants1 contracts1 certificates1 licenses1 registrations1 privileges1 and other administrative actions-- 7,a7 which have been issued1 made1 granted1 or allowed to become effective by the ,president1 any covered ,federal agency or official thereof1 or by a court of competent jurisdiction1 in the performance of transferred functions2 and 7,b7 which are in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act1 or were final before that date and are to become effective on or after that date1 shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified1 terminated1 superseded1 set aside1 or revoked in accordance with law by the ,president1 the ,secretary or other authorized official1 a court of competent jurisdiction1 or by operation of law4 7#b7 ,proceedings not affected ,the provisions of this ,act shall not affect any proceedings1 including notices of proposed rulemaking1 or any application for any license1 permit1 certificate1 or financial assistance pending before any covered ,federal agency on the date of enactment of this ,act1 with respect to transferred functions but such proceedings and applications shall be continued4 ,orders shall be issued in such proceedings1 appeals shall be taken therefrom1 and payments shall be made pursuant to such orders1 as if this ,act had not been enacted1 and orders issued in any such proceedings shall continue in effect until modified1 terminated1 superseded1 or revoked by a duly authorized official1 by a court of competent jurisdiction1 or by operation of law4 ,nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any such proceeding under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that such proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this ,act had not been enacted4 7#c7 ,suits not affected ,the provisions of this ,act shall not affect suits commenced before the date of enactment of this ,act1 and in all such suits1 proceedings shall be had1 appeals taken1 and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if this ,act had not been enacted4 7#d7 ,nonabatement of actions ,no suit1 action1 or other proceeding commenced by or against a covered ,federal agency1 or by or against any individual in the official capacity of such individual as an officer of a covered ,federal agency1 shall abate by reason of the enactment of this ,act4 7#e7 ,administrative actions relating to promulgation of regulations ,any administrative action relating to the preparation or promulgation of a regulation by a covered ,federal agency relating to a transferred function may be continued by the ,administration with the same effect as if this ,act had not been enacted4 7#f7 ,references ,reference in any other ,federal law1 ,executive order1 rule1 regulation1 or delegation of authority1 or any document of or relating to-- 7,a7 the head of a covered ,federal agency with regard to a transferred function1 shall be deemed to refer to the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 a covered ,federal agency with regard to a transferred function1 shall be deemed to refer to the ,administration4