S. 265 — Freedom from Government Surveys Act

This section clarifies the voluntary nature of the American Community Survey (ACS)—the Census Bureau's annual survey providing detailed demographic, social, economic, and housing data from a sample of U.S. addresses—by (1) exempting nonrespondents from civil penalties otherwise applicable under 13 U.S.C. 221(a) for refusing or neglecting to answer census questions and (2) requiring the Secretary of Commerce to include a statement on the ACS (or successor survey) indicating that participation is voluntary.