Introduced in House — H.R. 4649

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4649

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 23, 2025

Ms. DelBene (for herself and Ms. Clarke of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To promote the use of smart technologies and systems in communities, and for other purposes.

Section 1. Short title; table of contents

(a) Short title

This Act may be cited as the Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2025.

(b) Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 2. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to promote smart technologies and systems to improve community livability, services, communication, safety, mobility, energy productivity, and resilience to natural and manmade disasters, to reduce civic costs, traffic congestion, and air pollution, and to promote equity, economic growth, and opportunities for communities of all sizes by—

(1)

improving Federal Government coordination and outreach with respect to smart city or community technologies;

(2)

promoting the quality and performance of smart city or community technologies while protecting—

(A)

the security of data and systems; and

(B)

privacy;

(3)

demonstrating the value and utility of smart, local government-owned and -operated services through the development and implementation of performance standards;

(4)

providing assistance to local governments interested in implementing smart city or community technologies;

(5)

developing a workforce skilled in smart city or community technologies; and

(6)

expanding international cooperation and trade in smart city or community technologies.

Sec. 3. Definitions

In this Act:

(1) Council

The term Council means the Interagency Council on Smart Cities established under section 101(a)(1)(A)(i).

(2) Data

The term data includes information and images.

(3) Equity; equitable

The terms equity and equitable mean the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of individuals who—

(A)

belong to underserved communities; and

(B)

have been denied systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment based on race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability status.

(4) Local workforce development board; state workforce development board

The terms local workforce development board and State workforce development board have the meanings given the terms local board and State board, respectively, in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

(5) Secretaries

The term Secretaries means the Secretary, acting in coordination with—

(A)

the Secretary of Energy;

(B)

the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;

(C)

the Secretary of Transportation;

(D)

the Director of the National Science Foundation; and

(E)

as the Secretary determines to be appropriate—

(i)

the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(ii)

the Secretary of Homeland Security;

(iii)

the Secretary of Labor; and

(iv)

the Secretary of State.

(6) Secretary

The term Secretary, unless otherwise specified, means the Secretary of Commerce.

(7) Smart city or community

(A) In general

The term smart city or community means a community in which innovative, advanced, and trustworthy information, communications, and energy technologies and related mechanisms are applied—

(i)

to improve the health and quality of life of residents;

(ii)

to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of civic operations and services;

(iii)

to promote economic growth; and

(iv)

to create a community that is safer and more secure, equitable, sustainable, resilient, livable, and workable.

(B) Inclusions

The term smart city or community includes a local jurisdiction that—

(i)

gathers and incorporates data from systems, devices, and sensors embedded in civic systems and infrastructure to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of civic operations and services;

(ii)

aggregates and analyzes gathered data;

(iii)

communicates the analysis performed under clause (ii), and the data described in that clause, in a variety of formats;

(iv)

makes corresponding improvements to civic systems and services based on gathered data;

(v)

coordinates with relevant public and private sector entities (including entities providing electric, water, telecommunications, energy, and transportation services) to leverage the activities carried out by those entities;

(vi)

integrates measures—

(I)

to ensure the resilience of civic systems against cybersecurity threats and physical vulnerabilities and breaches;

(II)

to protect the private data of residents; and

(III)

to measure the impact of smart city or community technologies on the effectiveness, equity, and efficiency of civic operations and services; and

(vii)

promotes regional coordination of the activities described in clauses (i) through (vi).

(8) State

The term State means—

(A)

a State;

(B)

the District of Columbia;

(C)

the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

(D)

any other territory or possession of the United States.

(9) Working Group

The term Working Group means the Cybersecurity Working Group established under section 202(b)(1).

Title I Enhancing Federal coordination and investment in smart city or community programs

Sec. 101. Coordination of activities among Federal agencies

(a) Coordination

(1) Coordination of activities

(A) Federal council

(i) Establishment

The Secretaries shall establish a council of Federal agencies, to be known as the Interagency Council on Smart Cities, to promote the coordination of the activities and funding from Federal agencies relating to smart cities or communities.

(ii) Membership

The Council shall—

(I)

be led by the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(II)

be co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Secretary; and

(III)

include—

(aa)

the Secretary of Energy;

(bb)

the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;

(cc)

the Secretary of Transportation;

(dd)

the Director of the National Science Foundation; and

(ee)

the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including—

(AA)

the Secretary of Homeland Security;

(BB)

the Secretary of Labor; and

(CC)

the Secretary of State.

(B) Prioritization

For purposes of coordinating Federal activities under subparagraph (A), the Secretaries shall prioritize the conduct of Federal activities that would—

(i)

demonstrate smart city or community technologies in repeatable ways that can rapidly be scaled;

(ii)

encourage public, private, regional, national, and international sharing of data and best practices;

(iii)

encourage private sector innovation by promoting industry-driven technology standards, open platforms, technology-neutral requirements, and interoperability;

(iv)

promote—

(I)

a skilled workforce;

(II)

an open and competitive global market for smart city or community technologies;

(III)

inclusion of all citizens, including minority or disadvantaged groups;

(IV)

protocols and standards that allow for the measurement and validation of the cost savings and performance improvements associated with the installation and use of smart city or community technologies and practices; and

(V)

equitable distribution of benefits gained from the use of smart technologies;

(v)

foster the growth of the smart city or community technology industry and workforce in the United States;

(vi)

encourage the adoption of smart city or community technologies by communities;

(vii)

safeguard cybersecurity, including by promoting industry practices relating to cybersecurity; and

(viii)

safeguard privacy and, in consultation with cities, communities, and industry entities, establish parameters and best practices for the full life cycle management of all types of smart city or community data, including—

(I)

best practices for the collection, storage, disposal, ownership, and sharing of data; and

(II)

best practices for data transparency and data use limitations.

(C) Considerations

The Secretaries shall—

(i)

ensure that the Federal activities described in subparagraph (B) relating to safeguarding cybersecurity take into account existing Federal, State, and local frameworks, guidelines, and best practices when considering the application of those frameworks, guidelines, and best practices to smart city technologies;

(ii)

ensure that the Federal activities described in subparagraph (B) take into consideration software quality, especially as software quality impacts reproducibility, maintainability, reliability, and security of systems, especially high-confidence systems;

(iii)

conduct privacy impact assessments for Federal activities that could negatively affect privacy; and

(iv)

ensure the privacy of individuals by providing guidelines for—

(I)

the use of technologies with inherent privacy and security considerations;

(II)

screening vendors and partners to prevent the inclusion of organizations and individuals that have been involved in, or affiliated with, illegal or unethical uses of data;

(III)

contractually obligating vendors and partners to maintain legal and ethical data standards with respect to privacy and data security; and

(IV)

monitoring for compliance with the requirements of this clause.

(2) Strategy

(A) In general

The Secretaries, acting through the Council, in consultation with industry entities, cities, and communities, shall develop a multiyear strategy for—

(i)

the coordination of activities and funding under paragraph (1)(A);

(ii)

the development of partnerships with the private sector relating to smart cities or communities; and

(iii)

the promotion of international cooperation with respect to smart city or community technologies and standards.

(B) Requirement

The Secretaries shall coordinate with the heads of any applicable Federal agencies to leverage private sector and non-Federal public investment in smart city or community technologies consistent with the strategy developed under subparagraph (A).

(3) Assessment

(A) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the heads of other applicable Federal agencies, shall coordinate with such private and public organizations and units of local government as the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate regarding the preparation of a smart city or community technology workforce needs assessment.

(B) Submission

On completion of the assessment prepared under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the Council the completed assessment.

(4) Coordination of funds

In promoting the coordination of Federal funding relating to smart city or community activities under paragraph (1)(A) and in accordance with the strategy developed under paragraph (2)(A), each of the Secretaries shall—

(A)

track, with respect to the appropriate Federal agency, the expenditures and planned expenditures of Federal funds for smart city- or community-related activities, together with leveraged non-Federal matching funds; and

(B)

coordinate with the head of any other applicable Federal agency that allocates funds for smart city or community activities—

(i)

to achieve greater benefits from activities using Federal funds;

(ii)

to produce integrated projects relating to those activities; and

(iii)

to leverage complementary investments of other Federal agencies in those activities.

(b) Submission of information and biennial report

During the 6-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act—

(1)

the head of each applicable Federal agency shall submit to the Secretary information for inclusion in the report submitted under paragraph (2); and

(2)

not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report, based on the information described in paragraph (1), that includes—

(A)

an update of the status of relevant smart city or community technology developments and applications, including broadband infrastructure;

(B)

a description of any related program or activity that is funded by the Federal agency during the period covered by the report;

(C)

the budget of the Federal agency for supporting smart city or community activities, as described in subsection (a)(4)(A);

(D)

any non-Federal cost-share contributed for activities for which Federal assistance is provided under this section;

(E)

a description of the strategy developed under subsection (a)(2)(A), including a description of how the relevant programs are progressing under that strategy;

(F)

a description of outreach activities conducted under section 102(d), including the amount and type of assistance required by cities and communities to overcome barriers to implementing smart city or community technologies, and any Federal actions necessary to meet those needs;

(G)

a description of projects funded under section 201, including a description of—

(i)

project outcomes and performance;

(ii)

the use of leveraged non-Federal funds;

(iii)

the equitable distribution of Federal funds; and

(iv)

how each project fulfills the priorities described in subsection (a)(1)(B); and

(H)

such other information as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

Sec. 102. Smart city and community resource guide

(a) Publication

(1) In general

The Secretaries, in coordination with the heads of any other applicable Federal agencies, shall create, publish, and maintain, for a period of not less than 6 years beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, a resource guide designed to assist States, communities, and cities in the United States in developing and implementing smart city or community programs.

(2) Information included

The Secretaries, in coordination with cities, communities, and industry entities, shall determine which information shall be included in the guide under paragraph (1).

(b) Requirements

The guide published under subsection (a)(1)—

(1)

shall be maintained electronically on a website;

(2)

shall be provided as an electronic reference guide available to the public free of charge; and

(3)

may include—

(A)

a compilation of existing related programs of the Federal Government available to communities, including technical assistance, education, training, research and development, analysis, and funding;

(B)

available examples of local governments engaging private sector entities in order to implement smart city or community solutions, including public-private partnership models, such as the use of energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts or other innovative models, that could be used to leverage private sector funding to increase energy productivity and reduce water, transportation, and other costs to cities and communities, including the results of the study conducted under section 204;

(C)

available examples of proven methods for local governments and utilities to facilitate the integration of smart technologies with new and existing infrastructure and systems;

(D)

best practices and lessons learned from technology demonstrations, including return on investment, equitable distribution of benefits, and performance information to help cities and communities decide how to initiate integration of smart technologies;

(E)

Federal, State, and local best practices for safeguarding cybersecurity and ensuring appropriate data management and data privacy;

(F)

technical specifications for wireless or wired broadband infrastructure to support smart city or community technologies; and

(G)

such other topics as are requested by industry entities or local governments or determined to be necessary by the Secretaries.

(c) Existing guides

In creating, publishing, and maintaining the guide under subsection (a)(1), the Secretaries shall consider Federal, State, and local guides published before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act relating to smart city or community goals, activities, and best practices—

(1)

to prevent duplication of efforts by the Federal Government; and

(2)

to leverage existing complementary efforts.

(d) Outreach

The Secretaries, in coordination with the heads of any applicable Federal agencies and in consultation with applicable private sector entities, shall conduct outreach to States, cities, and communities—

(1)

to provide interested States, cities, and communities with the guide published under subsection (a)(1);

(2)

to promote the consideration of smart city or community technologies and encourage States and local governments to contribute smart city or community program and activity data to the guide published under subsection (a)(1);

(3)

to identify—

(A)

barriers to smart city or community technology adoption;

(B)

opportunities to increase the equitable distribution of benefits from the use of smart city or community technology;

(C)

any necessary research, development, and assistance, including in Tribal, rural, and underserved communities; and

(D)

local government programs that could be included in the guide under subsection (a)(1);

(4)

to respond to requests for assistance, advice, or consultation from cities and communities; and

(5)

for other purposes, as identified by the Secretaries.

Title II Providing assistance to cities and communities

Sec. 201. Technology demonstration grant program

(a) In general

The Secretary shall establish a smart city or community regional demonstration grant program under which the Secretary shall conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities, including small- and medium-sized cities and rural and Tribal communities.

(b) Goals

The goals of the program established under subsection (a) are—

(1)

to demonstrate—

(A)

potential benefits of concentrated investments in smart city or community technologies that are repeatable and scalable across cities of different sizes; and

(B)

the efficiency, equity, reliability, and resilience of civic infrastructure and services;

(2)

to facilitate the adoption of advanced smart city or community technologies and collaboration between small- and medium- to large-sized cities; and

(3)

to demonstrate protocols and standards that allow for the measurement and validation of the cost savings and performance improvements associated with the installation and use of smart city or community technologies and practices.

(c) Demonstration projects

(1) Eligibility

Subject to paragraph (2), a unit of local government shall be eligible to receive a grant for a demonstration project under this section.

(2) Application; Cooperation

To qualify for a demonstration project under this section, a unit of local government shall—

(A)

submit to the Secretary an application for a grant for a demonstration project at such time and containing such information as the Secretary may require; and

(B)

agree to follow applicable best practices identified by the Secretaries, in consultation with industry entities and institutions of higher education, to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented smart city or community technologies to ensure that—

(i)

technologies and interoperability can be assessed;

(ii)

best practices can be shared; and

(iii)

data can be shared in a public, interoperable, and transparent format.

(3) Federal share of cost of technology investments

The Secretary—

(A)

subject to subparagraph (B), shall provide to a unit of local government selected under this section for the conduct of a demonstration project a grant in an amount equal to not more than 50 percent of the total cost of technology investments to incorporate and assess qualifying smart city or community technologies in the applicable jurisdiction; and

(B)

may waive the cost-share requirement of subparagraph (A) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(d) Requirement

In conducting demonstration projects under this section, the Secretary shall—

(1)

develop competitive, technology-neutral requirements;

(2)

seek to award grants and distribute benefits from smart city technologies in an equitable manner;

(3)

seek to leverage ongoing or existing civic infrastructure investments; and

(4)

take into consideration the non-Federal cost share as a competitive criterion in applicant selection in order to leverage non-Federal investment.

(e) Public availability of data and reports

The Secretary shall ensure that reports, public data sets, schematics, diagrams, and other works created using a grant provided under this section are—

(1)

available on a royalty-free, non-exclusive basis; and

(2)

open to the public to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, without cost.

(f) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out subsection (c) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Sec. 202. Cybersecurity Working Group

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

the work conducted by the Internet Policy Task Force and the Digital Economy Leadership Team of the Department of Commerce to foster an enabling environment for Internet of Things technology to grow and thrive, allow the private sector to lead, and promote technology-neutral standards and consensus-based multi-stakeholder approaches to policymaking at local, Tribal, State, Federal, and international levels on issues ranging from the security to the competitiveness of the United States is valuable and should be continued; and

(2)

the work conducted by the Department of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to create resources for communities seeking to adopt smart cities or communities technology is valuable and should be continued.

(b) Establishment

(1) In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the Council, shall convene a multistakeholder working group, to be known as the Cybersecurity Working Group, to develop tools for communities to use to evaluate the cybersecurity of smart city or community technologies.

(2) Membership

(A) In general

In appointing members to the Working Group, the Secretary shall consider appointing—

(i)

representatives of consumer groups and civil liberties organizations;

(ii)

representatives of small units of local government, as determined by the Secretary;

(iii)

representatives of large units of local government, as determined by the Secretary;

(iv)

manufacturers of smart city or community devices, equipment, and software;

(v)

individuals with expertise in communications networks;

(vi)

Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials;

(vii)

individuals with other expertise necessary to carry out the duties of the Working Group; and

(viii)

such representatives of the Council as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(B) Representation

In appointing members to the Working Group, the Secretary shall ensure that the Working Group includes an equitable multidisciplinary cross section of smart city or community stakeholders.

(3) Duties

The Working Group shall—

(A)

leverage and build on previous activities carried out by the Department of Commerce relating to Internet of Things technology;

(B)

develop tools for communities to evaluate the cybersecurity of smart city or community technology being considered by the communities for adoption in those communities;

(C)

develop tools for communities to protect against cybersecurity threats relevant to the technology the community has chosen to adopt;

(D)

(i)

assess—

(I)

whether Internet of Things cybersecurity standards should exist; and

(II)

whether the standards described in subclause (I) should be voluntary or mandatory; and

(ii)

identify which entity is appropriate to devise the standards described in clause (i)(I); and

(E)

submit to the Council a report that describes the findings of the Working Group.

Sec. 203. TechHire Workforce Training and Development Program

(a) In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, based on findings from the needs assessment conducted under section 101(a)(3), the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary, shall establish a pilot program, to be known as the TechHire Workforce Training and Development Pilot Program, under which the Secretary of Labor, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, shall provide to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide an industry-recognized certificate or certification.

(b) Requirements

A job training and education program that is carried out with a grant under this section shall—

(1)

provide technology-based training across 2 or more sectors;

(2)

focus on equitable smart city or community technologies, systems, and infrastructure which may span across all sectors of the economy;

(3)

address privacy and cybersecurity considerations; and

(4)

address smart city or community workforce needs identified by the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with other applicable Federal agencies.

(c) Eligible entities

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall be a public organization or an organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code that—

(1)

includes an advisory board, which may be—

(A)

(i)

a local workforce development board;

(ii)

a State workforce development board; or

(iii)

an appropriate subgroup of a local workforce development board or a State workforce development board; or

(B)

a board of proportional participation, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, of relevant organizations, including—

(i)

relevant industry organizations, including public and private employers;

(ii)

labor organizations;

(iii)

one or more units of local government that are actively pursuing smart city or community programs; or

(iv)

postsecondary education organizations;

(2)

demonstrates experience in implementing and operating job training and education programs;

(3)

demonstrates the ability to recruit and support individuals who plan to work in a relevant sector on the successful completion of relevant job training and education programs;

(4)

(A)

provides students who complete the training and education program with an industry-recognized certificate or certification; or

(B)

uses a curriculum that has received extensive feedback from employers;

(5)

demonstrates the quality of the proposed program of job training and education, including the training services that lead to an industry-recognized certificate or certification; and

(6)

demonstrates successful outcomes connecting graduates of job training and education programs to quality jobs relevant to the job training and education programs.

(d) Applications

An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary of Labor an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Labor may require.

(e) Priority

In selecting eligible entities to receive grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall prioritize applicants that—

(1)

(A)

are a local workforce development board or State workforce development board; or

(B)

demonstrate a strong partnership with a local workforce development board or State workforce development board;

(2)

house the job training and education program in—

(A)

an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), including a community college, that includes basic science, technology, and mathematics education in the curriculum of the institution of higher education; or

(B)

an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor or a State;

(3)

work with the Secretary of Defense or veterans organizations to transition members of the Armed Forces and veterans to careers in a relevant sector;

(4)

include in the application an entity that receives State funding or is operated by a State agency;

(5)

include an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor or a State as part of the job training and education program;

(6)

provide support services and career coaching;

(7)

provide entry-level technology workforce training aimed at matching workers with well-paying jobs; or

(8)

propose to serve—

(A)

young adults between the ages of 16 and 24; or

(B)

individuals with barriers to employment (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)).

(f) Additional consideration

In making grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall consider equity and regional diversity.

(g) Limitation on applications

An eligible entity may not submit, either individually or as part of a joint application, more than 1 application for a grant under this section during any 1 fiscal year.

(h) Limitations on amount of grant

The amount of a single grant provided under this section for any 1 year shall not exceed $5,000,000.

(i) Non-Federal share

The non-Federal share of the cost of a job training and education program carried out using a grant under this section shall be not less than 25 percent of the total cost.

(j) Reduction of duplication

Before submitting an application for a grant under this section, each applicant shall—

(1)

consult with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies; and

(2)

coordinate the proposed activities of the applicant with existing State and local programs.

(k) Technical assistance

The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary, may provide technical assistance to eligible entities under subsection (c) to leverage the existing job training and education programs of the Department of Labor and other relevant programs at appropriate Federal agencies.

(l) Report

Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of Labor, a report on the program established under this section, including a description of—

(1)

any entity that receives a grant under this section;

(2)

activities carried out using the grants under this section;

(3)

best practices used to leverage the investment of the Federal Government under this section; and

(4)

an assessment of the results achieved by the program established under this section, including the equitable distribution of benefits and the rate of employment for participants after completing a job training and education program carried out using a grant under this section.

(m) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Sec. 204. GAO study on innovative financing

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to identify—

(1)

financial and procurement mechanisms currently available to public and private entities to fund smart city or community activities and associated demonstration projects, including pay for performance financing that could deliver measurable and verifiable market and non-market values to smart cities or communities;

(2)

new and innovative financial and procurement mechanisms under development or used experimentally that may be available, in the near term, to public and private entities to fund smart city or community activities and associated demonstration projects;

(3)

barriers to creative financing solutions for smart city or community activities and associated demonstration projects, including procurement barriers faced by State and local governments; and

(4)

ways to leverage private sector investments in smart cities and communities.

Sec. 205. Technical assistance, smart city voucher, and technologist in residence programs

(a) Technical assistance program

The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall establish a program to provide technical assistance to cities and communities seeking to incorporate smart city or community technologies.

(b) Smart city voucher pilot program

(1) In general

The Secretary shall establish a pilot program (referred to in this section as the pilot program) under which the Secretary shall provide assistance, including through vouchers, to cities and communities (including cities or communities partnered with a small business concern (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632))) to improve, for the purposes of promoting smart city or community technologies and commercialization—

(A)

the access of cities and communities to the expertise, competencies, and infrastructure of National Laboratories; and

(B)

the products, services, and capabilities of those cities and communities.

(2) Voucher

A voucher provided under the pilot program may be redeemed at any National Laboratory or laboratory of the Department of Energy.

(3) Collaboration

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in collaboration with the Director of each National Laboratory.

(4) Cost sharing

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to financial assistance provided under this section.

(B) Exception

The Secretary may waive section 988 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 16352) in providing financial assistance under the pilot program to cities or communities that partner with a small business concern that is socially or economically disadvantaged, as determined by the Secretary.

(c) Technologist in residence pilot program

(1) In general

The Secretary shall expand the Technologist in Residence pilot program of the Department of Energy to include partnerships between National Laboratories and cities or communities with respect to research and development relating to smart cities or communities.

(2) Requirements

For purposes of the partnerships entered into under paragraph (1), technologists in residence shall work with an assigned city or community to develop an assessment of smart city or community technologies available and appropriate to meet the smart city or community objectives of the city or community.

(d) Guidance

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall issue guidance with respect to—

(1)

the scope of the programs established under subsections (a) through (c); and

(2)

requests for proposals from cities and communities interested in participating in those programs.

(e) Considerations

In establishing the programs under subsections (a) through (c), the Secretary shall seek to address the needs of small- and medium-sized cities, counties, and Tribal governments.

(f) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Title III Improving performance and interoperability

Sec. 301. Standards and interoperability framework

(a) Participation

To strengthen the public-private partnership approach to smart city-related or community-related standards development and interoperability, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall strongly encourage and support participation by Federal Government experts in private sector-led, standards-related activities that convene smart city or community stakeholders, including representatives of applicable Federal agencies.

(b) Activities

To promote innovation and economic competitiveness and to achieve interoperability of smart city or community devices and systems, while strengthening the United States approach to private sector-led standardization activities and the participation of Federal representatives under subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with private and public sector stakeholders, shall—

(1)

survey and review domestic and international smart city or community performance standards, existing architectures, applications, and deployments, and interoperability standards;

(2)

make consensus-based recommendations—

(A)

to identify gaps in the smart city or community performance standards and interoperability standards under paragraph (1);

(B)

to harmonize existing standards and deployment efforts and enable greater interoperability across smart city or community technologies;

(C)

to coordinate domestic and international performance standards and interoperability standards to promote uniform performance standards and interoperability standards worldwide, including with respect to the need for testing and demonstration; and

(D)

for guidelines to enable interoperability in the collection, storage, ownership, and sharing of data;

(3)

based on the recommendations under paragraph (2), develop a consensus-based framework that includes protocols and model standards for the management and exchange of information, including existing guidelines, best practices, and industry consensus standards;

(4)

ensure that cybersecurity and privacy are core elements of the recommended performance standards and interoperability standards; and

(5)

lead international coordination efforts to develop industry-led, technology-neutral, voluntary, consensus-based global smart city or community performance standards and interoperability standards.

Title IV International cooperation and best practices

Sec. 401. Development of global smart city or community best practices

(a) In general

The Secretaries may carry out activities—

(1)

to enable cities and communities in the United States and other countries to work together toward shared smart city- or community-related goals;

(2)

to promote smart city or community solutions that provide measurable benefits to local governments and residents;

(3)

to enable an open, global marketplace for smart city or community technologies based on voluntary, consensus-based, and technology-neutral standards; and

(4)

to connect innovators from industry and academia to local governments to catalyze the emergence of open and advanced technologies that—

(A)

meet community needs; and

(B)

advance innovation and open competition.

(b) Eligible activities

The activities described in subsection (a) may include grants, contracts, challenges, prize competitions, public-private partnerships, and other innovative mechanisms.

(c) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretaries to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

(2) Limitation on use of funds

Funds made available under paragraph (1) may not be used to provide assistance to—

(A)

a foreign country; or

(B)

a foreign company (excluding any United States subsidiary of a foreign holding company).

Sec. 402. Trade program

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, such other members of the Council as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, and private stakeholders, shall establish a strategic international smart cities and communities trade program, which shall include trade missions—

(1)

to promote the export of United States smart cities or communities technologies;

(2)

to stimulate job growth in the United States;

(3)

to identify potential partners and strategies for companies in the United States in target foreign market sectors;

(4)

to organize events with local governments, businesses, associations, academia, and other stakeholders to promote smart city or community partnerships;

(5)

to assist in the development of competitive strategies and foreign market access for smart city or community technology business interests of the United States;

(6)

to assist in developing appropriate Federal policy relating to interests of businesses in the United States and businesses in international smart cities or communities;

(7)

to assist in achieving commitments of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;

(8)

to assist in lowering the cost to consumers of smart cities or communities technologies;

(9)

to leverage expertise in infrastructure to deliver solutions that can help make communities more efficient, equitable, livable, and sustainable; and

(10)

to work with the United States Agency for International Development, the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States to identify opportunities to finance international investment in smart cities or communities technology companies of the United States.