Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2017
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (2 Oct 2017): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
**What the bill would do:** S. 1904 would create a federal framework to promote "smart city" technologies—systems that use data, sensors, and connected devices to improve local government services, infrastructure, safety, and efficiency. It would establish an Interagency Council on Smart Cities, led by the Commerce Secretary and including officials from Energy, HUD, Transportation, and the National Science Foundation, to coordinate federal smart-city funding and activities. The bill also directs creation of a public online resource guide for local governments, establishes a competitive grant program (authorized at $100 million annually for fiscal years 2018–2022) for demonstration projects in cities and rural or Tribal communities, and creates a multistakeholder Cybersecurity Working Group to develop tools for evaluating the security of smart-city technologies. Additional provisions address workforce training, a GAO study on innovative financing, technical standards, and international cooperation on best practices and trade.
**Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies (Commerce, Energy, HUD, Transportation, Labor, and others), state and local governments seeking federal assistance or guidance on smart-city projects, and private industry, academic, and consumer stakeholders who would participate in working groups or receive grants. Local governments, particularly smaller, rural, and Tribal communities, are specifically named as intended beneficiaries of technical assistance and demonstration funding.
**Status:** The bill was introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on October 2, 2017, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a vote and saw no further action before the end of the 115th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2017
This bill establishes programs for the implementation and use of smart technologies and systems in communities of various sizes. A “smart city or community” 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 a pilot program to furnish competitive grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide industry-recognized credentials.
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.
Timeline
2 Oct 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 1904 do?
- **What the bill would do:** S. 1904 would create a federal framework to promote "smart city" technologies—systems that use data, sensors, and connected devices to improve local government services, infrastructure, safety, and efficiency. It would establish an Interagency Council on Smart Cities, led by the Commerce Secretary and including officials from Energy, HUD, Transportation, and the National Science Foundation, to coordinate federal smart-city funding and activities. The bill also directs creation of a public online resource guide for local governments, establishes a competitive grant program (authorized at $100 million annually for fiscal years 2018–2022) for demonstration projects in cities and rural or Tribal communities, and creates a multistakeholder Cybersecurity Working Group to develop tools for evaluating the security of smart-city technologies. Additional provisions address workforce training, a GAO study on innovative financing, technical standards, and international cooperation on best practices and trade. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies (Commerce, Energy, HUD, Transportation, Labor, and others), state and local governments seeking federal assistance or guidance on smart-city projects, and private industry, academic, and consumer stakeholders who would participate in working groups or receive grants. Local governments, particularly smaller, rural, and Tribal communities, are specifically named as intended beneficiaries of technical assistance and demonstration funding. **Status:** The bill was introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on October 2, 2017, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a vote and saw no further action before the end of the 115th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
- Has S. 1904 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1904. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1904?
- S. 1904 was sponsored by Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (D-WA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1904?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (2 Oct 2017).
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