U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Tuesday signed as an original cosponsor of legislation to eliminate federal punishments that could be imposed on Mississippians who refuse to respond to an annual government survey.

The Freedom from Government Surveys Act (S.265), introduced by U.S. Senator James Risch (R-Idaho), would make the Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary and eliminate fines imposed on non-respondents.

“Mississippians, like all American citizens, should not be bullied by the federal government into sharing personal details they choose to keep private,” Hyde-Smith said. “Whether it’s about personal property, assets, or your daily commute, privacy is a right, not a crime.  I’m proud to stand for that right and work to remove punitive measures from the American Community Survey.”

“It is unacceptable for the federal government to punish Idahoans for protecting their personal, private details from intrusive surveys,” said Risch. “My Freedom from Government Surveys Act abolishes burdensome and unnecessary fines on Idahoans who exercise their right to privacy.”

The ACS is an annual survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that reaches approximately 3.5 million households across the country.  Under current law, failing or refusing to complete the ACS often subjects these citizens to persistent harassment from the Census Bureau and the threat of fines — all for refusing to provide detailed demographic and personal information about their home, work, wealth, and health.

Examples of some ACS survey questions include:

• Does [the respondent] have difficulty dressing or bathing?
• What time [does the respondent’s] trip to work usually begin, and how many minutes [does] it usually take [the respondent] to get from home to work?
• In the past 12 months, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property?
• About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home (and lot, if owned) would sell for if it were for sale?
• Which fuel is used most for heating this house, apartment, or mobile home?

Other S.265 original cosponsors include U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.). The bill has been referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.