Review - HR 4649 Introduced - Smart Cities

Back in August Rep DelBene (D,WA) introduced HR 4649, the Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2025. The bill would promote the use of smart technologies and systems in communities. It contains one section specifically dealing with cybersecurity and six separate mentions in passing. The bill would authorize a total of $240 million in spending on four programs.

This bill is very similar to similar to HR 9892 that was introduced by DelBene in October 2024. No action was taken on that bill in the 118^th Congress.

Moving Forward

While DelBene is not a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to which this bill was assigned for consideration, her sole cosponsor, Rep Clarke (D,NY) is a member. This means that there may be sufficient influence for the bill to be considered in Committee. Unfortunately, with the new authorizations included in the bill, there is little chance that the bill will receive consideration.

Commentary

While the three grant programs outlined in the bill would certainly be useful to many jurisdictions in standing up a workable Smart Technology program, they are also the biggest drawback to passing this bill in the 118^th Congress. A more useful, potentially passable bill, would stand up the current §202, outlining the Cybersecurity Working Group. With minimal funding (potentially coming out of ‘existing’ DOC authorizations) the Working Group could provide a valuable opportunity for coming up with a base-driven, smart-technology protection program.

 

For more information on the provisions of this bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/hr-4649-introduced-smart-cities - subscription required.

Bills Introduced – 10-1-24

Yesterday, with the House and Senate meeting in pro forma session, there were 29 bills introduced. Two of those bills may receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 9892 To promote the use of smart technologies and systems in communities, and for other purposes. DelBene, Suzan K. [Rep.-D-WA-1] 

HR 9893 To improve dam and hydropower safety, and for other purposes. Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]

I will be watching both bills for language or definitions that specifically include cybersecurity measures within the scope of the provisions of the bills.

There is one additional bill that I would like to mention in passing:

HR 9905 To make supplemental appropriations for disaster relief in response to Hurricane Helene, and for other purposes. Moskowitz, Jared [Rep.-D-FL-23]

Helene cut a major swath across the Southeast, brining major flooding and damage to areas not normally affected by hurricanes. The damage totals being bandied about are quire impressive and there are certainly questions about whether FEMA has sufficient funding to guide the recovery efforts. There is a chance that President Biden will call Congress back to Washington to provide legislative support.

This bill is the first that I have seen to specifically address those issues, but Moskowitz is not a member of the House Appropriations Committee. This makes it unlikely that this will be the bill that congress would consider.