New, Emerging, and Exciting Technologies in Transportation Act or the NEXT in Transportation Act
This bill establishes and expands activities concerning electrification of transportation systems and intelligent transportation systems and technology.
Regarding transportation electrification, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Energy must (1) establish a temporary working group to make recommendations about incorporating electric vehicles into U.S. transportation and energy systems, and (2) develop a transportation electrification strategy based on those recommendations.
The bill also
Regarding intelligent transportation systems and technology, DOT must establish an internet-based resource for states and localities to use when developing intelligent transportation and related programs.
DOT must also award grants to improve transportation efficiency and safety through advanced smart city or community technologies and systems. Eligible recipients include states, Indian tribes, localities, public transit agencies, and groups of such entities.
Additionally, DOT must support workforce development in the intelligent transportation technologies and systems industry. This includes (1) contracting with the National Academies of Sciences to assess workforce needs, (2) establishing a working group to implement a workforce development plan, and (3) increasing public awareness of career opportunities in the transportation sector.
To amend titles 23 and 49, United States Code, to provide for new and 
    emerging technologies in transportation, 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 ``New, Emerging, and Exciting 
Technologies in Transportation Act'' or the ``NEXT in Transportation 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Transportation.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.

SEC. 3. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    Section 515(h) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(referred to in this 
        subsection as the `Advisory Committee')'' after ``an Advisory 
        Committee'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``20 members'' and inserting ``25 members'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (L)--
                            (i) by striking ``utilities,''; and
                            (ii) by striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting a semicolon;
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (L) 
                as subparagraphs (G), (I), (J), (K), (L), (M), (Q), and 
                (R), respectively;
                    (D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the 
                following:
                    ``(E) a representative of a national transit 
                association;
                    ``(F) a representative of a national, State, or 
                local transportation agency or association;'';
                    (E) by inserting after subparagraph (G) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
                    ``(H) a private sector developer of intelligent 
                transportation system technologies, which may include 
                emerging vehicle technologies;'';
                    (F) by inserting after subparagraph (M) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
                    ``(N) a representative of a labor organization;
                    ``(O) a representative of a mobility-providing 
                entity;
                    ``(P) an expert in traffic management;''; and
                    (G) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(S) an expert in cybersecurity; and
                    ``(T) an automobile manufacturer.'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``section 
                508'' and inserting ``section 6503 of title 49''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        inserting ``programs and'' before ``research''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        ``research and'' and inserting ``programs, 
                        research, and'';
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as 
        paragraphs (5) through (7); and
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Term.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term of a member of the 
                Advisory Committee shall be 3 years.
                    ``(B) Renewal.--On expiration of the term of a 
                member of the Advisory Committee, the member--
                            ``(i) may be reappointed; or
                            ``(ii) if the member is not reappointed 
                        under clause (i), may serve until a new member 
                        is appointed.
            ``(4) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee--
                    ``(A) shall convene not less frequently than twice 
                each year; and
                    ``(B) may convene with the use of remote video 
                conference technology.''.

SEC. 4. SMART COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Resource center.--The term ``resource center'' means 
        the Smart Community Resource Center established under 
        subsection (b).
            (2) 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.
    (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall work with the modal 
administrations of the Department and with such other Federal agencies 
and departments as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to make 
available to the public on an Internet website a resource center, to be 
known as the ``Smart Community Resource Center'', that includes a 
compilation of resources or links to resources for States and local 
communities to use in developing and implementing--
            (1) intelligent transportation system programs; or
            (2) smart community transportation programs.
    (c) Inclusions.--The resource center shall include links to--
            (1) existing programs and resources for intelligent 
        transportation system or smart community transportation 
        programs, including technical assistance, education, training, 
        funding, and examples of intelligent transportation systems or 
        smart community transportation programs implemented by States 
        and local communities, available from--
                    (A) the Department;
                    (B) other Federal agencies; and
                    (C) non-Federal sources;
            (2) existing reports or databases with the results of 
        intelligent transportation system or smart community 
        transportation programs;
            (3) any best practices developed or lessons learned from 
        intelligent transportation system or smart community 
        transportation programs; and
            (4) such other resources as the Secretary determines to be 
        appropriate.
    (d) Deadline.--The Secretary shall establish the resource center by 
the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (e) Updates.--The Secretary shall ensure that the resource center 
is updated on a regular basis.

SEC. 5. STRENGTHENING MOBILITY AND REVOLUTIONIZING TRANSPORTATION GRANT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a State;
                    (B) a political subdivision of a State;
                    (C) a Tribal government;
                    (D) a public transit agency or authority;
                    (E) a public toll authority;
                    (F) a metropolitan planning organization; and
                    (G) a group of 2 or more eligible entities 
                described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) 
                applying through a single lead applicant.
            (2) Eligible project.--The term ``eligible project'' means 
        a project described in subsection (e).
            (3) Large community.--The term ``large community'' means a 
        community with a population of not less than 400,000 
        individuals, as determined under the most recent annual 
        estimate of the Bureau of the Census.
            (4) Midsized community.--The term ``midsized community'' 
        means any community that is not a large community or a rural 
        community.
            (5) Regional partnership.--The term ``regional 
        partnership'' means a partnership composed of 2 or more 
        eligible entities located in jurisdictions with a combined 
        population that is equal to or greater than the population of 
        any midsized community.
            (6) Rural community.--The term ``rural community'' means a 
        community that is located in an area that is outside of an 
        urbanized area (as defined in section 5302 of title 49, United 
        States Code).
            (7) SMART grant.--The term ``SMART grant'' means a grant 
        provided to an eligible entity under the Strengthening Mobility 
        and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program established 
        under subsection (b).
    (b) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary shall establish a 
program, to be known as the ``Strengthening Mobility and 
Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program'', under which the 
Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to conduct 
demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community 
technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve 
transportation efficiency and safety.
    (c) Distribution.--In determining the projects for which to provide 
a SMART grant, the Secretary shall consider contributions to 
geographical diversity among grant recipients, including the need for 
balancing the needs of rural communities, midsized communities, and 
large communities, consistent with the requirements of subparagraphs 
(A) through (C) of subsection (g)(1).
    (d) Applications.--
            (1) In general.--An eligible entity may submit to the 
        Secretary an application for a SMART grant at such time, in 
        such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
        may require.
            (2) Transparency.--The Secretary shall include, in any 
        notice of funding availability relating to SMART grants, a full 
        description of the method by which applications under paragraph 
        (1) will be evaluated.
            (3) Selection criteria.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall evaluate 
                applications for SMART grants based on--
                            (i) the extent to which the eligible entity 
                        or applicable beneficiary community--
                                    (I) has a public transportation 
                                system or other transit options capable 
                                of integration with other systems to 
                                improve mobility and efficiency;
                                    (II) has a population density and 
                                transportation needs conducive to 
                                demonstrating proposed strategies;
                                    (III) has continuity of committed 
                                leadership and the functional capacity 
                                to carry out the proposed project;
                                    (IV) is committed to open data 
                                sharing with the public; and
                                    (V) is likely to successfully 
                                implement the proposed eligible 
                                project, including through technical 
                                and financial commitments from the 
                                public and private sectors; and
                            (ii) the extent to which a proposed 
                        eligible project will use advanced data, 
                        technology, and applications to provide 
                        significant benefits to a local area, a State, 
                        a region, or the United States, including the 
                        extent to which the proposed eligible project 
                        will--
                                    (I) reduce congestion and delays 
                                for commerce and the traveling public;
                                    (II) improve the safety and 
                                integration of transportation 
                                facilities and systems for pedestrians, 
                                bicyclists, and the broader traveling 
                                public;
                                    (III) improve access to jobs, 
                                education, and essential services, 
                                including health care;
                                    (IV) connect or expand access for 
                                underserved or disadvantaged 
                                populations and reduce transportation 
                                costs;
                                    (V) contribute to medium- and long-
                                term economic competitiveness;
                                    (VI) improve the reliability of 
                                existing transportation facilities and 
                                systems;
                                    (VII) promote connectivity between 
                                and among connected vehicles, roadway 
                                infrastructure, pedestrians, 
                                bicyclists, the public, and 
                                transportation systems;
                                    (VIII) incentivize private sector 
                                investments or partnerships, including 
                                by working with mobile and fixed 
                                telecommunication service providers, to 
                                the extent practicable;
                                    (IX) improve energy efficiency or 
                                reduce pollution;
                                    (X) increase the resiliency of the 
                                transportation system; and
                                    (XI) improve emergency response.
                    (B) Priority.--In providing SMART grants, the 
                Secretary shall give priority to applications for 
                eligible projects that would--
                            (i) demonstrate smart city or community 
                        technologies in repeatable ways that can 
                        rapidly be scaled;
                            (ii) encourage public and private sharing 
                        of data and best practices;
                            (iii) encourage private-sector innovation 
                        by promoting industry-driven technology 
                        standards, open platforms, technology-neutral 
                        requirements, and interoperability;
                            (iv) promote a skilled workforce that is 
                        inclusive of minority or disadvantaged groups;
                            (v) allow for the measurement and 
                        validation of the cost savings and performance 
                        improvements associated with the installation 
                        and use of smart city or community technologies 
                        and practices;
                            (vi) encourage the adoption of smart city 
                        or community technologies by communities;
                            (vii) promote industry practices regarding 
                        cybersecurity; and
                            (viii) safeguard individual privacy.
            (4) Technical assistance.--On request of an eligible entity 
        that submitted an application under paragraph (1) with respect 
        to a project that is not selected for a SMART grant, the 
        Secretary shall provide to the eligible entity technical 
        assistance and briefings relating to the project.
    (e) Use of Grant Funds.--
            (1) Eligible projects.--
                    (A) In general.--A SMART grant may be used to carry 
                out a project that demonstrates at least 1 of the 
                following:
                            (i) Coordinated automation.--The use of 
                        automated transportation and autonomous 
                        vehicles, while working to minimize the impact 
                        on the accessibility of any other user group or 
                        mode of travel.
                            (ii) Connected vehicles.--Vehicles that 
                        send and receive information regarding vehicle 
                        movements in the network and use vehicle-to-
                        vehicle and vehicle-to-everything 
                        communications to provide advanced and reliable 
                        connectivity.
                            (iii) Intelligent, sensor-based 
                        infrastructure.--The deployment and use of a 
                        collective intelligent infrastructure that 
                        allows sensors to collect and report real-time 
                        data to inform everyday transportation-related 
                        operations and performance.
                            (iv) Systems integration.--The integration 
                        of intelligent transportation systems with 
                        other existing systems and other advanced 
                        transportation technologies.
                            (v) Commerce delivery and logistics.--
                        Innovative data and technological solutions 
                        supporting efficient goods movement, such as 
                        connected vehicle probe data, road weather 
                        data, or global positioning data to improve on-
                        time pickup and delivery, improved travel time 
                        reliability, reduced fuel consumption and 
                        emissions, and reduced labor and vehicle 
                        maintenance costs.
                            (vi) Leveraging use of innovative aviation 
                        technology.--Leveraging the use of innovative 
                        aviation technologies, such as unmanned 
                        aircraft systems, to support transportation 
                        safety and efficiencies, including traffic 
                        monitoring and infrastructure inspection.
                            (vii) Smart grid.--Development of a 
                        programmable and efficient energy transmission 
                        and distribution system to support the adoption 
                        or expansion of energy capture, electric 
                        vehicle deployment, or freight or commercial 
                        fleet fuel efficiency.
                            (viii) Smart technology traffic signals.--
                        Improving the active management and functioning 
                        of traffic signals, including through--
                                    (I) the use of automated traffic 
                                signal performance measures;
                                    (II) implementing strategies, 
                                activities, and projects that support 
                                active management of traffic signal 
                                operations, including through 
                                optimization of corridor timing, 
                                improved vehicle, pedestrian, and 
                                bicycle detection at traffic signals, 
                                or the use of connected vehicle 
                                technologies;
                                    (III) replacing outdated traffic 
                                signals; or
                                    (IV) for an eligible entity serving 
                                a population of less than 500,000, 
                                paying the costs of temporary staffing 
                                hours dedicated to updating traffic 
                                signal technology.
            (2) Eligible project costs.--A SMART grant may be used 
        for--
                    (A) development phase activities, including--
                            (i) planning;
                            (ii) feasibility analyses;
                            (iii) revenue forecasting;
                            (iv) environmental review;
                            (v) permitting;
                            (vi) preliminary engineering and design 
                        work;
                            (vii) systems development or information 
                        technology work; and
                            (viii) acquisition of real property 
                        (including land and improvements to land 
                        relating to an eligible project); and
                    (B) construction phase activities, including--
                            (i) construction;
                            (ii) reconstruction;
                            (iii) rehabilitation;
                            (iv) replacement;
                            (v) environmental mitigation;
                            (vi) construction contingencies; and
                            (vii) acquisition of equipment, including 
                        vehicles.
            (3) Prohibited uses.--A SMART grant shall not be used--
                    (A) to reimburse any preaward costs or application 
                preparation costs of the SMART grant application;
                    (B) for any traffic or parking enforcement 
                activity; or
                    (C) to purchase or lease a license plate reader.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Eligible entities.--Not later than 2 years after the 
        date on which an eligible entity receives a SMART grant, and 
        annually thereafter until the date on which the SMART grant is 
        expended, the eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an 
        implementation report that describes--
                    (A) the deployment and operational costs of each 
                eligible project carried out by the eligible entity, as 
                compared to the benefits and savings from the eligible 
                project; and
                    (B) the means by which each eligible project 
                carried out by the eligible entity has met the original 
                expectation, as projected in the SMART grant 
                application, including--
                            (i) data describing the means by which the 
                        eligible project met the specific goals for the 
                        project, such as--
                                    (I) reducing traffic-related 
                                fatalities and injuries;
                                    (II) reducing traffic congestion or 
                                improving travel-time reliability;
                                    (III) providing the public with 
                                access to real-time integrated traffic, 
                                transit, and multimodal transportation 
                                information to make informed travel 
                                decisions; or
                                    (IV) reducing barriers or improving 
                                access to jobs, education, or various 
                                essential services;
                            (ii) the effectiveness of providing to the 
                        public real-time integrated traffic, transit, 
                        and multimodal transportation information to 
                        make informed travel decisions; and
                            (iii) lessons learned and recommendations 
                        for future deployment strategies to optimize 
                        transportation efficiency and multimodal system 
                        performance.
            (2) GAO.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct, and submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives a report describing the results of, a review of 
        the SMART grant program under this section.
            (3) Secretary.--
                    (A) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years 
                after the date on which the initial SMART grants are 
                provided under this section, the Secretary shall submit 
                to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Energy 
                and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the 
                Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
                House of Representatives a report that--
                            (i) describes each eligible entity that 
                        received a SMART grant;
                            (ii) identifies the amount of each SMART 
                        grant provided;
                            (iii) summarizes the intended uses of each 
                        SMART grant;
                            (iv) describes the effectiveness of 
                        eligible entities in meeting the goals 
                        described in the SMART grant application of the 
                        eligible entity, including an assessment or 
                        measurement of the realized improvements or 
                        benefits resulting from each SMART grant; and
                            (v) describes lessons learned and 
                        recommendations for future deployment 
                        strategies to optimize transportation 
                        efficiency and multimodal system performance.
                    (B) Best practices.--The Secretary shall--
                            (i) develop and regularly update best 
                        practices based on, among other information, 
                        the data, lessons learned, and feedback from 
                        eligible entities that received SMART grants;
                            (ii) publish the best practices under 
                        clause (i) on a publicly available website; and
                            (iii) update the best practices published 
                        on the website under clause (ii) regularly.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary $100,000,000 for each of the first 5 fiscal years 
        beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, of which--
                    (A) not more than 40 percent shall be used to 
                provide SMART grants for eligible projects that 
                primarily benefit large communities;
                    (B) not more than 30 percent shall be provided for 
                eligible projects that primarily benefit midsized 
                communities; and
                    (C) not more than 30 percent shall be used to 
                provide SMART grants for eligible projects that 
                primarily benefit rural communities or regional 
                partnerships.
            (2) Administrative costs.--Of the amounts made available 
        under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year, not more than 2 
        percent shall be used for administrative costs of the Secretary 
        in carrying out this section.
            (3) Limitation.--An eligible entity may not use more than 3 
        percent of the amount of a SMART grant for each fiscal year to 
        achieve compliance with applicable planning and reporting 
        requirements.
            (4) Availability.--The amounts made available for a fiscal 
        year pursuant to this subsection shall be available for 
        obligation during the 2-fiscal-year period beginning on the 
        first day of the fiscal year for which the amounts were 
        appropriated.

SEC. 6. ELECTRIC VEHICLE WORKING GROUP.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
                    (A) the Secretary; and
                    (B) the Secretary of Energy.
            (2) Working group.--The term ``working group'' means the 
        electric vehicle working group established under subsection 
        (b)(1).
    (b) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly establish 
        an electric vehicle working group to make recommendations 
        regarding the development, adoption, and integration of light-, 
        medium-, and heavy-duty electric vehicles into the 
        transportation and energy systems of the United States.
            (2) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--The working group shall be 
                composed of--
                            (i) the Secretaries (or designees), who 
                        shall be co-chairs of the working group; and
                            (ii) not more than 25 members, to be 
                        appointed by the Secretaries, of whom--
                                    (I) not more than 6 shall be 
                                Federal stakeholders as described in 
                                subparagraph (B); and
                                    (II) not more than 19 shall be non-
                                Federal stakeholders as described in 
                                subparagraph (C).
                    (B) Federal stakeholders.--The working group--
                            (i) shall include not fewer than 1 
                        representative of each of--
                                    (I) the Department;
                                    (II) the Department of Energy;
                                    (III) the Environmental Protection 
                                Agency;
                                    (IV) the Council on Environmental 
                                Quality; and
                                    (V) the General Services 
                                Administration; and
                            (ii) may include a representative of any 
                        other Federal agency the Secretaries consider 
                        to be appropriate.
                    (C) Non-federal stakeholders.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        the working group--
                                    (I) shall include not fewer than 1 
                                representative of each of--
                                            (aa) a manufacturer of 
                                        light-duty electric vehicles or 
                                        the relevant components of 
                                        light-duty electric vehicles;
                                            (bb) a manufacturer of 
                                        medium- and heavy-duty vehicles 
                                        or the relevant components of 
                                        medium- and heavy-duty electric 
                                        vehicles;
                                            (cc) a manufacturer of 
                                        electric vehicle batteries;
                                            (dd) an owner, operator, or 
                                        manufacturer of electric 
                                        vehicle charging equipment;
                                            (ee) the public utility 
                                        industry;
                                            (ff) a public utility 
                                        regulator or association of 
                                        public utility regulators;
                                            (gg) the transportation 
                                        fueling distribution industry;
                                            (hh) the energy provider 
                                        industry;
                                            (ii) the automotive dealing 
                                        industry;
                                            (jj) the for-hire passenger 
                                        transportation industry;
                                            (kk) an organization 
                                        representing units of local 
                                        government;
                                            (ll) an organization 
                                        representing regional 
                                        transportation or planning 
                                        agencies;
                                            (mm) an organization 
                                        representing State departments 
                                        of transportation;
                                            (nn) an organization 
                                        representing State departments 
                                        of energy or State energy 
                                        planners;
                                            (oo) the intelligent 
                                        transportation systems and 
                                        technologies industry;
                                            (pp) labor organizations 
                                        representing workers in 
                                        transportation manufacturing, 
                                        construction, or operations;
                                            (qq) the trucking industry;
                                            (rr) Tribal governments; 
                                        and
                                            (ss) the property 
                                        development industry; and
                                    (II) may include a representative 
                                of any other non-Federal stakeholder 
                                that the Secretaries consider to be 
                                appropriate.
                            (ii) Requirement.--The stakeholders 
                        selected under clause (i) shall, in the 
                        aggregate--
                                    (I) consist of individuals with a 
                                balance of backgrounds, experiences, 
                                and viewpoints; and
                                    (II) include individuals that 
                                represent geographically diverse 
                                regions of the United States, including 
                                individuals representing the 
                                perspectives of rural, urban, and 
                                suburban areas.
                    (D) Compensation.--A member of the working group 
                shall serve without compensation.
            (3) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--The working group shall meet not 
                less frequently than once every 120 days.
                    (B) Remote participation.--A member of the working 
                group may participate in a meeting of the working group 
                via teleconference or similar means.
            (4) Coordination.--In carrying out the duties of the 
        working group, the working group shall coordinate and consult 
        with any existing Federal interagency working groups on fleet 
        conversion or other similar matters relating to electric 
        vehicles.
    (c) Reports and Strategy on Electric Vehicle Adoption.--
            (1) Working group reports.--The working group shall 
        complete by each of the deadlines described in paragraph (2) a 
        report describing the status of electric vehicle adoption 
        including--
                    (A) a description of the barriers and opportunities 
                to scaling up electric vehicle adoption throughout the 
                United States, including recommendations for issues 
                relating to--
                            (i) consumer behavior;
                            (ii) charging infrastructure needs, 
                        including standardization and cybersecurity;
                            (iii) manufacturing and battery costs, 
                        including the raw material shortages for 
                        batteries and electric motor magnets;
                            (iv) the adoption of electric vehicles for 
                        low- and moderate-income individuals and 
                        underserved communities, including charging 
                        infrastructure access and vehicle purchase 
                        financing;
                            (v) business models for charging personal 
                        electric vehicles outside the home, including 
                        wired and wireless charging;
                            (vi) charging infrastructure permitting and 
                        regulatory issues;
                            (vii) the connections between housing and 
                        transportation costs and emissions;
                            (viii) freight transportation, including 
                        local, port and drayage, regional, and long-
                        haul trucking;
                            (ix) intercity passenger travel;
                            (x) the process by which governments 
                        collect a user fee for the contribution of 
                        electric vehicles to funding roadway 
                        improvements;
                            (xi) State- and local-level policies, 
                        incentives, and zoning efforts;
                            (xii) the installation of highway corridor 
                        signage;
                            (xiii) secondary markets and recycling for 
                        batteries;
                            (xiv) grid capacity and integration;
                            (xv) energy storage; and
                            (xvi) specific regional or local issues 
                        that may not appear to apply throughout the 
                        United States, but may hamper nationwide 
                        adoption or coordination of electric vehicles;
                    (B) examples of successful public and private 
                models and demonstration projects that encourage 
                electric vehicle adoption;
                    (C) an analysis of current efforts to overcome the 
                barriers described in subparagraph (A);
                    (D) an analysis of the estimated costs and benefits 
                of any recommendations of the working group; and
                    (E) any other topics, as determined by the working 
                group.
            (2) Deadlines.--A report under paragraph (1) shall be 
        submitted to the Secretaries, the Committees on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation and Appropriations of the Senate 
        and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives--
                    (A) in the case of the first report, by not later 
                than 18 months after the date on which the working 
                group is established under subsection (b)(1);
                    (B) in the case of the second report, by not later 
                than 2 years after the date on which the first report 
                is required to be submitted under subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) in the case of the third report, by not later 
                than 2 years after the date on which the second report 
                is required to be submitted under subparagraph (B).
            (3) Strategy.--
                    (A) In general.--Based on the reports submitted by 
                the working group under paragraph (1), the Secretaries 
                shall jointly develop, maintain, and update a strategy 
                that describes the means by which the Federal 
                Government, States, units of local government, and 
                industry can--
                            (i) establish quantitative targets for 
                        transportation electrification;
                            (ii) overcome the barriers described in 
                        paragraph (1)(A);
                            (iii) identify areas of opportunity in 
                        research and development to improve battery 
                        manufacturing, mineral mining, recycling costs, 
                        material recovery, fire risks, and battery 
                        performance for electric vehicles;
                            (iv) enhance Federal interagency 
                        coordination to promote electric vehicle 
                        adoption;
                            (v) prepare the workforce for the adoption 
                        of electric vehicles, including through 
                        collaboration with labor unions, educational 
                        institutions, and relevant manufacturers;
                            (vi) expand electric vehicle and charging 
                        infrastructure;
                            (vii) expand knowledge of the benefits of 
                        electric vehicles among the general public;
                            (viii) maintain the global competitiveness 
                        of the United States in the electric vehicle 
                        and charging infrastructure markets;
                            (ix) provide clarity in regulations to 
                        improve national uniformity with respect to 
                        electric vehicles; and
                            (x) ensure the sustainable integration of 
                        electric vehicles into the national electric 
                        grid.
                    (B) Notice and comment.--In carrying out 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretaries shall provide public 
                notice and opportunity for comment on the strategy 
                described in that subparagraph.
            (4) Information.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretaries may enter into an 
                agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the 
                National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
                Medicine to provide, track, or report data, 
                information, or research to assist the working group in 
                carrying out paragraph (1).
                    (B) Use of existing information.--In developing a 
                report under paragraph (1) or a strategy under 
                paragraph (3), the Secretaries and the working group 
                shall take into consideration existing Federal, State, 
                local, private sector, and academic data and 
                information relating to electric vehicles and, to the 
                maximum extent practicable, coordinate with the 
                entities that publish that information--
                            (i) to prevent duplication of efforts by 
                        the Federal Government; and
                            (ii) to leverage existing information and 
                        complementary efforts.
    (d) Coordination.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretaries and the working group shall carry out this section using 
all available existing resources, websites, and databases of Federal 
agencies, such as--
            (1) the Alternative Fuels Data Center;
            (2) the Energy Efficient Mobility Systems program; and
            (3) the Clean Cities Coalition Network.
    (e) Termination.--The working group shall terminate on submission 
of the third report required under subsection (c)(2)(C).

SEC. 7. NATIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRAM.

    In addition to amounts otherwise available, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the 
Secretary in equal amounts for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, 
to remain available until expended, $5,000,000,000, to remain available 
until expended for amounts made available for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026, to carry out a National Electric Vehicle Formula Program 
(referred to in this section as the ``Program'') to provide funding to 
States to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure 
and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data 
collection, access, and reliability:  Provided, That funds made 
available under this section shall be used for: (1) the acquisition and 
installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to serve as a 
catalyst for the deployment of such infrastructure and to connect it to 
a network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability; (2) 
proper operation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure; and (3) data sharing about electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure to ensure the long-term success of investments made 
under this section:  Provided further, That for each of fiscal years 
2022 through 2026, the Secretary shall distribute among the States the 
funds made available under this section so that each State receives an 
amount equal to the proportion that the total base apportionment or 
allocation determined for the State under subsection (c) of section 104 
or under section 165 of title 23, United States Code, bears to the 
total base apportionments or allocations for all States under 
subsection (c) of section 104 and section 165 of title 23, United 
States Code:  Provided further, That the Federal share payable for the 
cost of a project funded under this section shall be 80 percent:  
Provided further, That the Secretary shall establish a deadline by 
which a State shall provide a plan to the Secretary, in such form and 
such manner that the Secretary requires (to be made available on the 
Department's website), describing how such State intends to use funds 
distributed to the State under this section to carry out the Program 
for each fiscal year in which funds are made available:  Provided 
further, That, not later than 120 days after the deadline established 
in the preceding proviso, the Secretary shall make publicly available 
on the Department's website and submit to the House Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, the Senate Committee on Environment 
and Public Works, and the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, a report summarizing each plan submitted by a State to 
the Department and an assessment of how such plans make progress 
towards the establishment of a national network of electric vehicle 
charging infrastructure:  Provided further, That if a State fails to 
submit the plan required under the fourth proviso of this section to 
the Secretary by the date specified in such proviso, or if the 
Secretary determines a State has not taken action to carry out its 
plan, the Secretary may withhold or withdraw, as applicable, funds made 
available under this section for the fiscal year from the State and 
award such funds on a competitive basis to local jurisdictions within 
the State for use on projects that meet the eligibility requirements 
under this section:  Provided further, That, prior to the Secretary 
making a determination that a State has not taken actions to carry out 
its plan, the Secretary shall notify the State, consult with the State, 
and identify actions that can be taken to rectify concerns, and provide 
at least 90 days for the State to rectify concerns and take action to 
carry out its plan:  Provided further, That the Secretary shall provide 
notice to a State on the intent to withhold or withdraw funds not less 
than 60 days before withholding or withdrawing any funds, during which 
time the States shall have an opportunity to appeal a decision to 
withhold or withdraw funds directly to the Secretary:  Provided 
further, That if the Secretary determines that any funds withheld or 
withdrawn from a State under the preceding proviso cannot be fully 
awarded to local jurisdictions within the State under the preceding 
proviso in a manner consistent with the purpose of this section, any 
such funds remaining shall be distributed among other States (except 
States for which funds for that fiscal year have been withheld or 
withdrawn under the preceding proviso) in the same manner as funds 
distributed for that fiscal year under the second proviso under this 
section, except that the ratio shall be adjusted to exclude States for 
which funds for that fiscal year have been withheld or withdrawn under 
the preceding proviso:  Provided further, That funds distributed under 
the preceding proviso shall only be available to carry out this 
section:  Provided further, That funds made available under this 
section may be used to contract with a private entity for acquisition 
and installation of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure and the private entity may pay the non-Federal share of 
the cost of a project funded under this section:  Provided further, 
That funds made available under this section shall be for projects 
directly related to the charging of a vehicle and only for electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure that is open to the general public or 
to authorized commercial motor vehicle operators from more than one 
company:  Provided further, That any electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure acquired or installed with funds made available under 
this section shall be located along a designated alternative fuel 
corridor:  Provided further, That no later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Energy, shall develop guidance for States and localities 
to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure, 
consistent with this section:  Provided further, That the Secretary, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall consider the following 
in developing the guidance described in the preceding proviso: (1) the 
distance between publicly available electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure; (2) connections to the electric grid, including 
electric distribution upgrades; vehicle-to-grid integration, including 
smart charge management or other protocols that can minimize impacts to 
the grid; alignment with electric distribution interconnection 
processes, and plans for the use of renewable energy sources to power 
charging and energy storage; (3) the proximity of existing off-highway 
travel centers, fuel retailers, and small businesses to electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure acquired or funded under this section; 
(4) the need for publicly available electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure in rural corridors and underserved or disadvantaged 
communities; (5) the long-term operation and maintenance of publicly 
available electric vehicle charging infrastructure to avoid stranded 
assets and protect the investment of public funds in that 
infrastructure; (6) existing private, national, State, local, Tribal, 
and territorial government electric vehicle charging infrastructure 
programs and incentives; (7) fostering enhanced, coordinated, public-
private or private investment in electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure; (8) meeting current and anticipated market demands for 
electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including with regard to 
power levels and charging speed, and minimizing the time to charge 
current and anticipated vehicles; and (9) any other factors, as 
determined by the Secretary:  Provided further, That if a State 
determines, and the Secretary certifies, that the designated 
alternative fuel corridors in the States are fully built out, then the 
State may use funds provided under this section for electric vehicle 
charging infrastructure on any public road or in other publicly 
accessible locations, such as parking facilities at public buildings, 
public schools, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking 
facilities owned or managed by a private entity:  Provided further, 
That subject to the minimum standards and requirements established 
under the following proviso, funds made available under this section 
may be used for: (1) the acquisition or installation of electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure; (2) operating assistance for costs 
allocable to operating and maintaining electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure acquired or installed under this section, for a period 
not to exceed five years; (3) the acquisition or installation of 
traffic control devices located in the right-of-way to provide 
directional information to electric vehicle charging infrastructure 
acquired, installed, or operated under this section; (4) on-premises 
signs to provide information about electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure acquired, installed, or operated under this section; (5) 
development phase activities relating to the acquisition or 
installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as determined 
by the Secretary; or (6) mapping and analysis activities to evaluate, 
in an area in the United States designated by the eligible entity, the 
locations of current and future electric vehicle owners, to forecast 
commuting and travel patterns of electric vehicles and the quantity of 
electricity required to serve electric vehicle charging stations, to 
estimate the concentrations of electric vehicle charging stations to 
meet the needs of current and future electric vehicle drivers, to 
estimate future needs for electric vehicle charging stations to support 
the adoption and use of electric vehicles in shared mobility solutions, 
such as micro-transit and transportation network companies, and to 
develop an analytical model to allow a city, county, or other political 
subdivision of a State or a local agency to compare and evaluate 
different adoption and use scenarios for electric vehicles and electric 
vehicle charging stations:  Provided further, That not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Energy and in consultation with 
relevant stakeholders, shall, as appropriate, develop minimum standards 
and requirements related to: (1) the installation, operation, or 
maintenance by qualified technicians of electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure under this section; (2) the interoperability of electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure under this section; (3) any traffic 
control device or on-premises sign acquired, installed, or operated 
under this section; (4) any data requested by the Secretary related to 
a project funded under this section, including the format and schedule 
for the submission of such data; (5) network connectivity of electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure; and (6) information on publicly 
available electric vehicle charging infrastructure locations, pricing, 
real-time availability, and accessibility through mapping applications: 
 Provided further, That not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate national electric 
vehicle charging corridors that identify the near- and long-term need 
for, and the location of, electric vehicle charging infrastructure to 
support freight and goods movement at strategic locations along major 
national highways, the National Highway Freight Network established 
under section 167 of title 23, United States Code, and goods movement 
locations including ports, intermodal centers, and warehousing 
locations:  Provided further, That the report issued under section 
151(e) of title 23, United States Code, shall include a description of 
efforts to achieve strategic deployment of electric vehicle charging 
infrastructure in electric vehicle charging corridors, including 
progress on the implementation of the Program under this section:  
Provided further, That, for fiscal year 2022, before distributing funds 
made available under this section to States, the Secretary shall set 
aside from funds made available under this section to carry out this 
section not more than $300,000,000, which may be transferred to the 
Joint Office described in the twenty-fourth proviso of this section, to 
establish such Joint Office and carry out its duties under this 
section:  Provided further, That, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
2026, after setting aside funds under the preceding proviso, and before 
distributing funds made available under this section to States, the 
Secretary shall set aside from funds made available under this section 
for such fiscal year to carry out this section 10 percent should go to 
States or localities that require additional assistance to 
strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure:  
Provided further, That not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a grant program to 
administer to States or localities the amounts set aside under the 
preceding proviso:  Provided further, That, except as otherwise 
specified under this section, funds made available under this section, 
other than funds transferred under the nineteenth proviso of this 
section to the Joint Office, shall be administered as if apportioned 
under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code:  Provided further, 
That funds made available under this section shall not be transferable 
under section 126 of title 23, United States Code:  Provided further, 
That there is established a Joint Office of Energy and Transportation 
(referred to in this section as the ``Joint Office'') in the Department 
and the Department of Energy to study, plan, coordinate, and implement 
issues of joint concern between the two agencies, which shall include: 
(1) technical assistance related to the deployment, operation, and 
maintenance of zero emission vehicle charging and refueling 
infrastructure, renewable energy generation, vehicle-to-grid 
integration, including microgrids, and related programs and policies; 
(2) data sharing of installation, maintenance, and utilization in order 
to continue to inform the network build out of zero emission vehicle 
charging and refueling infrastructure; (3) performance of a national 
and regionalized study of zero emission vehicle charging and refueling 
infrastructure needs and deployment factors, to support grants for 
community resilience and electric vehicle integration; (4) development 
and deployment of training and certification programs; (5) 
establishment and implementation of a program to promote renewable 
energy generation, storage, and grid integration, including microgrids, 
in transportation rights-of-way; (6) studying, planning, and funding 
for high-voltage distributed current infrastructure in the rights-of-
way of the Interstate System and for constructing high-voltage and or 
medium-voltage transmission pilots in the rights-of-way of the 
Interstate System; (7) research, strategies, and actions under the 
Departments' statutory authorities to reduce transportation-related 
emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change; (8) development 
of a streamlined utility accommodations policy for high-voltage and 
medium-voltage transmission in the transportation right-of-way; and (9) 
any other issues that the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy 
identify as issues of joint interest:  Provided further, That the Joint 
Office of Energy and Transportation shall establish and maintain a 
public database, accessible on both Department and Department of Energy 
websites, that includes: (1) information maintained on the Alternative 
Fuel Data Center by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy of the Department of Energy with respect to the locations of 
electric vehicle charging stations; (2) potential locations for 
electric vehicle charging stations identified by eligible entities 
through the program; and (3) the ability to sort generated results by 
various characteristics with respect to electric vehicle charging 
stations, including location, in terms of the State, city, or county; 
status (operational, under construction, or planned); and charging 
type, in terms of Level 2 charging equipment or Direct Current Fast 
Charging Equipment:  Provided further, That the Secretary and the 
Secretary of Energy shall cooperatively administer the Joint Office 
consistent with this section:  Provided further, That the Secretary and 
the Secretary of Energy may transfer funds between the Department and 
the Department of Energy from funds provided under this section to 
establish the Joint Office and to carry out its duties under this 
section and any such funds or portions thereof transferred to the Joint 
Office may be transferred back to and merged with this account:  
Provided further, That the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy shall 
notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations not less than 
15 days prior to transferring any funds under the previous proviso:  
Provided further, That for the purposes of funds made available under 
this section: (1) the term ``State'' has the meaning given such term in 
section 101 of title 23, United States Code; and (2) the term 
``Federal-aid highway'' means a public highway eligible for assistance 
under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, other than a highway 
functionally classified as a local road or rural minor collector.

SEC. 8. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 5302(3)(G) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) as clauses (v) 
        and (vi), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
                            ``(iv) provides that if equipment to fuel 
                        privately owned zero-emission passenger 
                        vehicles is installed, the recipient of 
                        assistance under this chapter shall collect 
                        fees from users of the equipment in order to 
                        recover the costs of construction, maintenance, 
                        and operation of the equipment;'';
            (3) in clause (vi) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subclause (XIII), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subclause (XIV), by adding ``and'' after the 
                semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(XV) technology to fuel a zero-
                                emission vehicle;''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 5336(e) of title 49, United States Code, is 
        amended by striking ``, as defined in section 5302(4)''.
            (2) Section 28501(4) of title 49, United States Code, is 
        amended by striking ``section 5302(a)(6)'' and inserting 
        ``section 5302''.

SEC. 9. STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION PLANS.

    Section 362(d) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 
6322(d)) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
following:
            ``(3) programs to increase transportation energy 
        efficiency, including programs to help reduce carbon emissions 
        in the transportation sector by 2050 and accelerate the use of 
        alternative transportation fuels for, and the electrification 
        of, State government vehicles, fleet vehicles, taxis and 
        ridesharing services, mass transit, school buses, ferries, and 
        privately owned passenger and medium- and heavy-duty 
        vehicles;''.

SEC. 10. TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Assessment.--The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy shall 
develop and submit to the Secretary a workforce needs assessment that--
            (1) addresses--
                    (A) the education and recruitment of technical 
                workers for the intelligent transportation technologies 
                and systems industry;
                    (B) the development of a workforce skilled in 
                various types of intelligent transportation 
                technologies, components, infrastructure, and 
                equipment, including with respect to--
                            (i) installation;
                            (ii) maintenance;
                            (iii) manufacturing;
                            (iv) operations, including data analysis 
                        and review; and
                            (v) cybersecurity; and
                    (C) barriers to employment in the intelligent 
                transportation technologies and systems industry for--
                            (i) individuals who are former offenders 
                        (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce 
                        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                        3102));
                            (ii) individuals with a disability (as 
                        defined in section 3 of the Americans with 
                        Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)); 
                        and
                            (iii) individuals that represent 
                        populations that are traditionally 
                        underrepresented in the workforce; and
            (2) includes recommendations relating to the issues 
        described in paragraph (1).
    (b) Working Group.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a working 
        group, to be composed of--
                    (A) the Secretary of Energy;
                    (B) the Secretary of Labor; and
                    (C) the heads of such other Federal agencies as the 
                Secretary determines to be necessary.
            (2) Implementation plan.--
                    (A) In general.--The working group established 
                under paragraph (1) shall develop an intelligent 
                transportation technologies and systems industry 
                workforce development implantation plan.
                    (B) Requirements.--The implementation plan under 
                subparagraph (A) shall address any issues and 
                recommendations included in the needs assessment under 
                subsection (a), taking into consideration a whole-of-
                government approach with respect to--
                            (i) using registered apprenticeship and 
                        preapprenticeship programs; and
                            (ii) re-skilling workers who may be 
                        interested in working within the intelligent 
                        transportation technologies and systems 
                        industry.
            (3) Submission to congress.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of receipt of the needs assessment under subsection 
        (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress the implementation 
        plan developed under paragraph (2).
            (4) Termination.--The working group established under 
        paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date on which the 
        implementation plan developed under paragraph (2) is submitted 
        to Congress under paragraph (3).
    (c) Transportation Workforce Outreach Program.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 55 of title 49, 
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
``Sec. 5506. Transportation workforce outreach program
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation (referred to in 
this section as the `Secretary') shall establish and administer a 
transportation workforce outreach program, under which the Secretary 
shall carry out a series of public service announcement campaigns 
during each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purpose of the campaigns carried out under the 
program under this section shall be--
            ``(1) to increase awareness of career opportunities in the 
        transportation sector, including aviation pilots, safety 
        inspectors, mechanics and technicians, air traffic controllers, 
        flight attendants, truck and bus drivers, engineers, transit 
        workers, railroad workers, and other transportation 
        professionals; and
            ``(2) to target awareness of professional opportunities in 
        the transportation sector to diverse segments of the 
        population, including with respect to race, sex, ethnicity, 
        ability (including physical and mental ability), veteran 
        status, and socioeconomic status.
    ``(c) Advertising.--The Secretary may use, or authorize the use of, 
amounts made available to carry out the program under this section for 
the development, production, and use of broadcast, digital, and print 
media advertising and outreach in carrying out a campaign under this 
section.
    ``(d) Funding.--The Secretary may use to carry out this section any 
amounts otherwise made available to the Secretary, not to exceed 
$5,000,000, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for subchapter I of 
        chapter 55 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:

``5506. Transportation workforce outreach program.''.
                                 <all>
NEXT in Transportation Act
A bill to amend titles 23 and 49, United States Code, to provide for new and emerging technologies in transportation, and for other purposes.
NEXT in Transportation Act
New, Emerging, and Exciting Technologies in Transportation Act
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine