[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.
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