Title: STAT Act
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Smart Transportation Advancement and Transition Act or the STAT Act
This bill revises and permanently reauthorizes the Intelligent Transportation Systems Advisory Committee of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
DOT must create, publish, and maintain a resource guide that is designed to assist states and local communities in developing and implementing intelligent transportation technology or smart community transportation programs.
The bill designates at least 10 consortia of public institutions of higher education as Centers of Excellence in Advanced Transportation Workforce Training that must seek to expand their capacity to train students for career opportunities in industry and government service related to the use of intelligent transportation technologies and systems, including by establishing new career pathways from secondary school to associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs.
DOT must carry out a program to award grants to certain entities for projects that support (1) the education and recruitment of technical workers for the intelligent transportation technologies and systems industry; and (2) the development of a workforce skilled in various types of intelligent transportation technologies, components, infrastructure, and equipment.
The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study that identifies issues relating to workforce development in intelligent and zero-emissions transportation technology, including any shortages of skilled employees in those fields.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3175 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3175

 To amend SAFETEA-LU to improve the Intelligent Transportation System 
 Program Advisory Committee, to require information and resources for 
 the development of local smart communities, to help establish a 21st 
       century transportation workforce, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 9, 2020

 Ms. Cortez Masto introduced the following bill; which was read twice 
 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend SAFETEA-LU to improve the Intelligent Transportation System 
 Program Advisory Committee, to require information and resources for 
 the development of local smart communities, to help establish a 21st 
       century transportation workforce, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Smart Transportation Advancement and 
Transition Act'' or the ``STAT Act''.

SEC. 2. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    Section 5305 of SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 512 note; Public Law 109-59) 
is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
    ``(h) Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
        advisory committee (referred to in this subsection as the 
        `Committee') to advise the Secretary in carrying out this 
        subtitle.
            ``(2) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Committee shall--
                            ``(i) be composed of not more than 25 
                        members;
                            ``(ii) be balanced between metropolitan and 
                        rural interests; and
                            ``(iii) include, at a minimum--
                                    ``(I) a representative of a State 
                                department of transportation;
                                    ``(II) a representative of a local 
                                department of transportation (other 
                                than a metropolitan planning 
                                organization);
                                    ``(III) a representative of a 
                                State, local, or regional transit 
                                agency;
                                    ``(IV) a representative of a 
                                metropolitan planning organization;
                                    ``(V) a representative of a 
                                national transit association;
                                    ``(VI) a representative of a 
                                national, State, or local 
                                transportation agency or association;
                                    ``(VII) a private sector user of 
                                intelligent transportation system 
                                technologies, including emerging 
                                vehicle technologies;
                                    ``(VIII) a private sector developer 
                                of intelligent transportation system 
                                technologies, including emerging 
                                vehicle technologies;
                                    ``(IX) an academic researcher--
                                            ``(aa) with expertise in 
                                        computer science or another 
                                        information science field 
                                        related to intelligent 
                                        transportation systems; and
                                            ``(bb) who is not an expert 
                                        on transportation issues;
                                    ``(X) an academic researcher in 
                                civil engineering or a civil 
                                engineering practitioner;
                                    ``(XI) an academic researcher who 
                                is a social scientist with expertise in 
                                transportation issues;
                                    ``(XII) an academic researcher with 
                                expertise in labor issues, including--
                                            ``(aa) disruptions due to 
                                        technology; and
                                            ``(bb) opportunities and 
                                        barriers related to 
                                        transportation and the 
                                        incorporation of emerging 
                                        technology;
                                    ``(XIII) a representative of a 
                                nonprofit group representing the 
                                intelligent transportation system 
                                industry;
                                    ``(XIV) a representative of a 
                                public interest group concerned with 
                                safety, including bicycle and 
                                pedestrian interests;
                                    ``(XV) a representative of a labor 
                                organization;
                                    ``(XVI) a representative of a 
                                mobility-providing entity, including 
                                for seniors and people with 
                                disabilities;
                                    ``(XVII) an expert in traffic 
                                management;
                                    ``(XVIII) a representative of a 
                                public interest group concerned with 
                                the impact of the transportation system 
                                on land use and residential patterns, 
                                including housing availability; and
                                    ``(XIX) members with expertise in 
                                planning, safety, and operations.
                    ``(B) Term.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), the term of a member of the 
                        Committee shall be 3 years.
                            ``(ii) Staggered terms.--Of the members 
                        first appointed to the Committee--
                                    ``(I) \1/3\ shall be appointed for 
                                a term of 1 year;
                                    ``(II) \1/3\ shall be appointed for 
                                a term of 2 years; and
                                    ``(III) \1/3\ shall be appointed 
                                for a term of 3 years.
                            ``(iii) Renewal.--On expiration of the term 
                        of a member of the Committee, the member--
                                    ``(I) may be reappointed; and
                                    ``(II) if the member is not 
                                reappointed under subclause (I), may 
                                serve until a new member is appointed.
            ``(3) Duties.--The Committee shall, at a minimum--
                    ``(A) provide input into the development of the 
                intelligent transportation system aspects of the 5-year 
                strategic plan under section 6503 of title 49, United 
                States Code;
                    ``(B) annually review areas of intelligent 
                transportation systems programs and research being 
                considered for funding by the Department, to 
                determine--
                            ``(i) whether those areas of research are 
                        likely to advance the state of the practice or 
                        state of the art in intelligent transportation 
                        systems;
                            ``(ii) whether intelligent transportation 
                        system technologies are likely to be deployed 
                        by users, and if not, to determine the barriers 
                        to deployment;
                            ``(iii) the appropriate roles for 
                        government and the private sector in investing 
                        in the research and technologies being 
                        considered;
                            ``(iv) how Federal resources are being 
                        utilized to advance intelligent transportation 
                        systems; and
                            ``(v) how the Department is engaging and 
                        supporting local communities in the adoption 
                        and integration of intelligent transportation 
                        systems;
                    ``(C) help develop and revise the resource guide 
                described in section 4(b) of the Smart Transportation 
                Advancement and Transition Act; and
                    ``(D) respond to requests for assistance, advice, 
                or consultation from States and local communities as a 
                result of the resource guide described in section 4(b) 
                of the Smart Transportation Advancement and Transition 
                Act.
            ``(4) Meetings.--The Committee--
                    ``(A) shall convene not less frequently than twice 
                each year; and
                    ``(B) may convene with the use of remote video 
                conference technology.
            ``(5) Report.--Not later than February 1 of each year 
        beginning after the date of enactment of the Smart 
        Transportation Advancement and Transition Act, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations, Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation, and Environment and Public Works 
        of the Senate and the Committees on Appropriations and 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives a report that includes--
                    ``(A) the recommendations made by the Committee 
                during the preceding calendar year;
                    ``(B) an explanation of how the Secretary has 
                implemented those recommendations; and
                    ``(C) for any recommendation not implemented, an 
                explanation of the reasons for not implementing the 
                recommendation.
            ``(6) Applicability of federal advisory committee act.--The 
        Committee shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee 
        Act (5 U.S.C. App.).''.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON LOCAL ENGAGEMENT.

    Not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Transportation, in 
coordination with the advisory committee established under section 
5305(h) of SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 512 note; Public Law 109-59), shall 
submit to the Committees on Appropriations, Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, and Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the 
Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report on efforts by the Department of 
Transportation to engage with local communities, metropolitan planning 
organizations, regional transportation commissions, and 
multijurisdictional groups, including in rural areas, on advancing data 
and intelligent transportation systems technologies and other smart 
cities solutions.

SEC. 4. SMART COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Advisory committee.--The term ``advisory committee'' 
        means the advisory committee established under section 5305(h) 
        of SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 512 note; Public Law 109-59).
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
            (3) Smart community.--The term ``smart community'' means a 
        community that uses innovative technologies, data, analytics, 
        and other means to improve the community and address local 
        challenges.
            (4) Smart community resource guide.--The term ``smart 
        community resource guide'' means the resource guide created, 
        published, and maintained under subsection (b).
    (b) Resource Guide.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
advisory committee, shall create, publish, and maintain a resource 
guide that is designed to assist States and local communities in 
developing and implementing intelligent transportation technology or 
smart community transportation programs.
    (c) Inclusions.--The smart community resource guide may include--
            (1) a compilation of existing related Federal and non-
        Federal programs that are available to States and local 
        communities in developing and implementing smart community 
        transportation programs, including technical assistance, 
        education, training, research and development, analysis, and 
        funding;
            (2) available examples of States and local communities 
        engaging private sector entities to carry out smart community 
        transportation solutions, including public-private partnership 
        models that could be used to leverage private sector funding to 
        solve local challenges;
            (3) available examples of proven methods for States and 
        local communities to facilitate the integration of smart 
        community transportation technologies with, or within, new and 
        existing infrastructure and systems;
            (4) best practices and lessons learned from smart community 
        transportation demonstration projects, including information on 
        return on investment and performance, to help other States and 
        local communities to decide how to begin the integration of 
        smart community transportation technologies; and
            (5) other topics--
                    (A) as requested by industry entities, States, or 
                local governments; or
                    (B) as determined to be necessary by the Secretary 
                and the advisory committee.
    (d) Use of Existing Guides.--In creating, publishing, and 
maintaining the smart community resource guide, the advisory committee 
shall consider existing Federal, State, and local community 
information, guides, and other resources that relate to smart community 
transportation goals, activities, and best practices--
            (1) to prevent duplication of efforts by the Federal 
        Government;
            (2) to improve local accessibility to Federal programs; and
            (3) to leverage existing, complementary efforts.
    (e) Outreach.--The Secretary, or, at the determination of the 
Secretary, the advisory committee, shall conduct outreach to States, 
counties, local communities, and other relevant entities--
            (1) to provide interested stakeholders with the smart 
        community resource guide, including through publication of the 
        guide on the internet;
            (2) to promote the consideration of smart community 
        transportation technologies;
            (3) to encourage States and local governments to contribute 
        smart community transportation program and activity information 
        to the smart community resource guide;
            (4) to identify--
                    (A) barriers to the adoption of smart community 
                transportation technologies; and
                    (B) any research, development, and other assistance 
                that is needed that could be included in the smart 
                community resource guide; and
            (5) for other purposes, as identified by the Secretary or 
        the advisory committee.
    (f) Revision.--The Secretary and the advisory committee shall issue 
a revised smart community resource guide not less frequently than once 
every 3 years.

SEC. 5. 21ST CENTURY TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Apprenticeship readiness program.--The term 
        ``apprenticeship readiness program'' means a curriculum or 
        program designed to prepare young people and transitioning 
        adults to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship 
        program.
            (2) Center of excellence.--The term ``Center of 
        Excellence'' means a consortium of public institutions of 
        higher education designated as a Center of Excellence in 
        Advanced Transportation Workforce Training under subsection 
        (e)(1).
            (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (4) Intelligent transportation technology.--The term 
        ``intelligent transportation technology'' means an operational 
        system of various technologies that, when combined and managed, 
        improve the operating capabilities of the overall 
        transportation system.
            (5) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term 
        ``registered apprenticeship program'' means a program 
        registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as 
        the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 
        29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
            (6) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
                    (A) the Secretary; and
                    (B) the Secretaries of Education, Energy, and 
                Labor.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
    (b) Workforce Development Scanning Tour.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in 
coordination with the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program 
Office of the Department of Transportation, shall conduct a national 
and international scanning tour of surface transportation agencies, 
including State and local departments of transportation, public transit 
agencies, rail agencies, and other similar entities, to identify 
critical future investments in workforce development, particularly 
investments related to enhancing technology skills of the personnel 
that operate and maintain surface transportation systems, 
infrastructure, and vehicles.
    (c) Collaboration With Regional Surface Transportation Workforce 
Development Centers.--For each Center of Excellence and each eligible 
entity that receives a grant under subsection (f), using existing 
information and information learned during the scanning tour under 
subsection (b), the Secretaries shall identify--
            (1) any potential collaborative initiatives that the Center 
        of Excellence or eligible entity, as applicable, may carry out 
        jointly with an applicable Regional Surface Transportation 
        Workforce Development Center of the Federal Highway 
        Administration; and
            (2) any cooperative opportunities to enhance curriculum 
        development, training resources, and registered apprenticeship 
        programs for existing and new surface transportation personnel.
    (d) National Summit on Transportation Workforce Development.--The 
Secretaries shall jointly host a National Summit on Transportation 
Workforce Development--
            (1) to engage public and private stakeholders; and
            (2) to develop training initiatives based on previous 
        findings by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint 
        Program Office of the Department of Transportation and the 
        scanning tour under subsection (b).
    (e) Centers of Excellence in Advanced Transportation Workforce 
Training.--
            (1) Designation.--Not later than 240 days after the date on 
        which the scanning tour under subsection (b) is completed, the 
        Secretaries shall designate not less than 10 consortia of 
        public institutions of higher education as a ``Center of 
        Excellence in Advanced Transportation Workforce Training''.
            (2) Functions.--Each Center of Excellence shall seek to 
        expand the capacity of that Center of Excellence to train 
        students for career opportunities in industry and government 
        service related to the use of intelligent transportation 
        technologies and systems, including by--
                    (A) admitting more students;
                    (B) training faculty;
                    (C) expanding facilities;
                    (D) creating programs that provide students with 
                pathways to achieve vendor-neutral industry-recognized 
                credentials;
                    (E) establishing new career pathways from secondary 
                school to associate degree and baccalaureate degree 
                programs;
                    (F) awarding credit for prior learning experience, 
                including military service;
                    (G) providing the essential aspects of a pre-
                apprenticeship or apprenticeship readiness program; and
                    (H) providing information and guidance to assist 
                students in furthering the workforce development of 
                those students through existing registered 
                apprenticeship programs.
            (3) Education and training requirements.--Each Center of 
        Excellence shall address education and training requirements 
        associated with various types of intelligent transportation 
        technologies, components, infrastructure, and equipment, 
        including with respect to--
                    (A) installation;
                    (B) maintenance;
                    (C) manufacturing;
                    (D) operations, including data analysis and review;
                    (E) cybersecurity;
                    (F) the use of intelligent transportation 
                technologies and systems in--
                            (i) various industry applications; and
                            (ii) programs and services of the Federal 
                        Government and State and local governments;
                    (G) Federal policies relating to intelligent 
                transportation technologies and systems;
                    (H) dual credit programs that deliver training 
                opportunities to secondary school students regarding 
                intelligent transportation technologies and systems; 
                and
                    (I) any training regarding--
                            (i) intelligent transportation sensors or 
                        other technology; and
                            (ii) the processing, analyzing, and 
                        visualizing of data collected by intelligent 
                        transportation technologies and systems.
            (4) Priority consideration.--In designating a Center of 
        Excellence under this subsection, the Secretaries shall give 
        priority consideration to a consortium of public institutions 
        of higher education that--
                    (A) develops partnerships with existing registered 
                apprenticeship programs;
                    (B) demonstrates high safety, job placement, and 
                quality standards in accordance with part 29 of title 
                29, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                regulations); and
                    (C) serve underrepresented populations.
    (f) Smart Transportation Workforce Development Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation and 
        coordination with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of 
        Energy, and the Secretary of Labor, shall carry out a program 
        to award grants to eligible entities for eligible projects that 
        support--
                    (A) the education and recruitment of technical 
                workers for the intelligent transportation technologies 
                and systems industry; and
                    (B) the development of a workforce skilled in 
                various types of intelligent transportation 
                technologies, components, infrastructure, and 
                equipment.
            (2) Eligible entities.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary may award a grant 
                under this subsection to--
                            (i) a unit of local government;
                            (ii) a Tribal government;
                            (iii) a transit agency or authority;
                            (iv) a public toll authority;
                            (v) a metropolitan planning organization;
                            (vi) any other subdivision of a State or 
                        local government;
                            (vii) an institution of higher education, 
                        including a university transportation center 
                        under section 5505 of title 49, United States 
                        Code;
                            (viii) an entity operating a registered 
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (ix) a multijurisdictional group;
                            (x) a regional transportation partnership; 
                        or
                            (xi) a consortium of any of the entities 
                        described in clauses (i) through (x).
                    (B) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant under this subsection, an eligible entity 
                described in subparagraph (A) shall submit to the 
                Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
                and containing such information as the committee 
                established under paragraph (5) may require.
            (3) Eligible projects.--The Secretary may award a grant 
        under this subsection for a project--
                    (A) to establish new educational programs that 
                teach the technical skills used in intelligent 
                transportation technologies and systems;
                    (B) to establish scholarships, apprenticeship 
                readiness programs, or registered apprenticeship 
                programs for individuals pursuing employment in the 
                intelligent transportation technology and systems 
                industry;
                    (C) to support or expand participation in 
                apprenticeship readiness programs or registered 
                apprenticeship programs for individuals pursuing 
                employment in the intelligent transportation technology 
                and systems industry;
                    (D) to support outreach about careers in the 
                intelligent transportation technologies and systems 
                industry to--
                            (i) primary, secondary, and post-secondary 
                        school students; or
                            (ii) communities that are underrepresented 
                        in those industries;
                    (E) to support educational opportunities related to 
                intelligent transportation technologies and systems in 
                economically disadvantaged geographic areas;
                    (F) to support transition to careers in intelligent 
                transportation technologies and systems; or
                    (G) that, as determined by a unanimous vote of the 
                committee established under paragraph (5), otherwise 
                enhances--
                            (i) technical education in intelligent 
                        transportation technologies and systems; or
                            (ii) the workforce of intelligent 
                        transportation technologies and systems 
                        industries.
            (4) Priority consideration.--In awarding grants under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall give priority consideration to 
        an eligible entity that--
                    (A) is part of a consortium designated as a Center 
                of Excellence;
                    (B) incorporates existing registered apprenticeship 
                programs;
                    (C) demonstrates high safety, job placement, and 
                quality standards in accordance with part 29 of title 
                29, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                regulations); and
                    (D) serves underrepresented populations.
            (5) Grant application review committee.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation and 
                coordination with the Secretary of Education, the 
                Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Labor, shall 
                establish a committee to review applications for, and 
                select recipients of, grants under this subsection.
                    (B) Membership.--The committee established under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be composed of individuals who 
                were involved in the consideration, selection, and 
                designation of the Centers of Excellence.
                    (C) Use of advisory committee expertise.--The 
                committee established under subparagraph (A) shall use 
                the expertise of the advisory committee established 
                under section 5305(h) of SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 512 
                note; Public Law 109-59), as applicable.
            (6) Maximum amount of grant.--Each grant awarded under this 
        subsection shall be in an amount that is not more than 
        $1,000,000.
            (7) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretaries to award grants under 
        this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 
        through 2025.
    (g) GAO Report on Workforce Opportunities and Barriers.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study that identifies issues relating to 
        workforce development in intelligent and zero-emissions 
        transportation technology, including--
                    (A) any shortages of skilled employees in those 
                fields;
                    (B) issues relating to the transition of workers 
                from traditional vehicle manufacturing, operation, and 
                maintenance to the intelligent and zero-emissions 
                transportation workforce;
                    (C) issues relating to the transition of workers 
                from traditional surface transportation installation, 
                construction, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance 
                to incorporation into the intelligent transportation 
                workforce; and
                    (D) examples of successful models of workforce 
                development in those fields.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall submit a report on the results of the study under 
        paragraph (1) to--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
                of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                Pensions of the Senate;
                    (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
                    (E) the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
                    (F) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
                House of Representatives;
                    (G) the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
                House of Representatives; and
                    (H) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
                                 <all>