Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-2636
Sponsor: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Community life and organization
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Licensing and registrations
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Technology assessment
U.S. and foreign investments
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes programs for the implementation and use of smart technologies and systems in communities of various sizes. A &ldquo;smart city or community&rdquo; is one in which innovative, advanced, and trustworthy information, communication, and energy technologies are applied to (1) improve the health and quality of life of residents; (2) increase efficiency of operations and services; (3) promote economic growth; and (4) improve safety, security, sustainability, resiliency, livability, and work life. 
 
The Department of Commerce shall establish a regional demonstration grant program focused on facilitating adoption, and allowing measurement and validation of performance, of advanced smart city or community technologies and systems. Commerce shall also convene a working group to develop tools for evaluating the cybersecurity of smart city or community technologies.
 
The Department of Labor shall establish the TechHire Workforce Training and Development Pilot Program to furnish competitive grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide industry-recognized credentials.
 
The Department of Energy (DOE) shall implement a pilot program to improve cities' access to the expertise and infrastructure of the national laboratories to promote smart city technologies. DOE shall also expand its Technologist in Residence pilot program to include partnerships between national laboratories and cities respecting research and development related to smart cities.
 
The bill requires strong federal encouragement and support for private sector-led standards development activities. 
 
The bill requires the establishment of a strategic international smart cities and communities trade program that includes trade missions to promote and assist smart-community activities, as by leveraging expertise in infrastructure development. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in House