Technical assistance, smart city voucher, and technologist in residence programs

(a) Technical assistance program The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall establish a program to provide technical assistance to cities and communities seeking to incorporate smart city or community technologies. (b) Smart city voucher pilot program (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a pilot program (referred to in this section as the pilot program) under which the Secretary shall provide assistance, including through vouchers, to cities and communities (including cities or communities partnered with a small business concern (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632))) to improve, for the purposes of promoting smart city or community technologies and commercialization— (A) the access of cities and communities to the expertise, competencies, and infrastructure of National Laboratories; and (B) the products, services, and capabilities of those cities and communities. (2) Voucher A voucher provided under the pilot program may be redeemed at any National Laboratory or laboratory of the Department of Energy. (3) Collaboration The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in collaboration with the Director of each National Laboratory. (4) Cost sharing (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to financial assistance provided under this section. (B) Exception The Secretary may waive section 988 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 16352) in providing financial assistance under the pilot program to cities or communities that partner with a small business concern that is socially or economically disadvantaged, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Technologist in residence pilot program (1) In general The Secretary shall expand the Technologist in Residence pilot program of the Department of Energy to include partnerships between National Laboratories and cities or communities with respect to research and development relating to smart cities or communities. (2) Requirements For purposes of the partnerships entered into under paragraph (1), technologists in residence shall work with an assigned city or community to develop an assessment of smart city or community technologies available and appropriate to meet the smart city or community objectives of the city or community. (d) Guidance The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall issue guidance with respect to— (1) the scope of the programs established under subsections (a) through (c); and (2) requests for proposals from cities and communities interested in participating in those programs. (e) Considerations In establishing the programs under subsections (a) through (c), the Secretary shall seek to address the needs of small- and medium-sized cities, counties, and Tribal governments. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.