Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2025

This proposal helps cities and towns use smart technology (like sensors, data, and connected systems) to improve daily services, cut traffic and costs, and protect privacy. It sets up a federal council to coordinate efforts and a free online guide to help local governments plan, fund, and safely run projects, with a focus on fairness and cybersecurity .

It funds regional “test and learn” projects so communities of all sizes can try what works, share results publicly for free, and cover up to half of local tech costs, with up to $100 million per year from 2026–2030 . It builds a talent pipeline through competitive tech job‑training grants that lead to industry‑recognized certificates; grants can be up to $5 million per year, require a 25% non‑federal match, and prioritize young adults (16–24) and people facing barriers to work, with $100 million per year from 2026–2030 and public results every two years . Cities can also get technical help and vouchers to work with National Labs, funded at $20 million per year from 2026–2030. A Cybersecurity Working Group would give communities practical tools to check and protect the tech they buy, while NIST advances standards so different systems work together and keep security and privacy at the core . The bill also calls for a GAO study to spotlight new ways to pay for projects and lower local barriers, and it promotes international cooperation and trade to boost U.S. jobs and lower costs .

• Who is affected

  • Cities and communities of all sizes, including rural and Tribal areas
  • Workers and job seekers in tech, especially ages 16–24 and people with barriers to employment
  • Local nonprofits, colleges, workforce boards, and employers partnering on training
  • Small businesses teaming with cities to access National Labs

• What changes

  • A coordinated federal council and a free online smart‑city guide for planning, funding, privacy, and cybersecurity best practices
  • Regional demo grants with open, royalty‑free data sharing and up to 50% federal cost coverage (possible waivers)
  • Tech job‑training grants that produce industry‑recognized certificates and support priority groups
  • Technical assistance and vouchers to work with National Labs
  • Cybersecurity tools and national standards so devices and systems work well together and protect people’s data

• When

  • Online guide available one year after enactment and kept up for at least six years
  • Job‑training program launched within 18 months; runs five years
  • GAO financing study due within one year of enactment
  • Funding levels: demos $100M/yr (FY 2026–2030); training $100M/yr (FY 2026–2030); vouchers/assistance $20M/yr (FY 2026–2030)