INSIGHTS ASSOCIATION (FKA: MARKETING RESEARCH ASSOCIATION)

BUD · Budget/Appropriations

Advocacy for FY2026 funding of the Census Bureau; support for transparency, outsourcing or elimination of the Census Household Panel (formerly known as the Ask U.S. Panel); opposition to Sec. 605 in the House CJS Appropriations bill that would undermine the decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS) by preventing more than 2 queries per household; opposition to Section 741 of the FSGG appropriations bill, which prevents expenditures in support of OMB Circular A-76.

COM · Communications/Broadcasting/Radio/TV

Support for comprehensive federal consumer data privacy legislation. Reforming the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restrictions on autodialer calls to cell phones. Requiring white listing of legitimate market research callers from call blocking and labeling. Reforming the Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act (PADFA) to make it possible to comply. General issues: consumer and data privacy; online behavioral tracking; data security and security breach notification; data brokers; Big Data; artificial intelligence.

GOV · Government Issues

Support for transparency, outsourcing or elimination of the Census Household Panel (formerly known as the Ask U.S. Panel) and opposition to any similar efforts/programs that would compete with the insights industry. Opposition to amendments and legislation that would make response to the American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary instead of mandatory or do away with the ACS entirely; opposition to other legislation and amendments harming the conduct of the ACS and the decennial Census; and preparation for the 2030 Census. Urging OMB to recognize the validity of online market research. Advocating reform of federal research policy. Urging GSA to recognize ISO 20252 for market research. Support for the Yellow Pages test and competitive sourcing of government services, OMB Circular A-76, and the Freedom from Government Competition Act (H.R. 1554).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1554

LBR · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace

Urging the appropriate classification of research subjects as independent contractors. Support for independent contractor status protections; opposition to the PRO Act unless amended to protect research subjects; support for Sen. Tim Scott's Modern Worker Empowerment Act (S. 2228). Opposition to uncompensated noncompete agreements, for anyone but senior staff.

Literal federal measure citations: S. 2228

TRD · Trade (domestic/foreign)

Support for international trade agreements, like USMCA, that promote digital trade and combat data localization policies and cross-border restrictions on data privacy.

CPI · Computer Industry

Support for legislation regulating artificial intelligence that is carefully focused on high risk use and reasonable transparency measures.