,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aieg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #bh 7legislative day1 ,may #bg71 #bjba ,mr4 ,wyden 7for himself1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,bennet1 and ,mr4 ,padilla7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to establish digital services in ,state1 county1 local1 and ,tribal governments1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,state and ,local ,digital ,service ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act-- 7#a7 the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of ,general ,services2 7#b7 the term digital service grant means a grant under section #c7;a72 7#c7 the term digital service planning grant means a grant under section #d7;a72 7#d7 the term digital service team means a team of employees of an eligible applicant that-- 7,a7 extends existing software development capacity and provides digital consultancy services1 focusing on user-centered design and development practices through the use of modern product development techniques1 such as-- 7i7 user research and design2 7ii7 incremental and iterative outcome driven delivery practices2 and 7iii7 software development procurement practices that rely on small-dollar1 short-duration contracts2 and 7,b7 enhances the delivery of services by the eligible applicant through partnerships or embedding the employees within other agencies of the eligible applicant2 7#e7 the term eligible applicant means a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or unit of local government2 7#f7 the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term ,indian tribe in section #d7;e7 of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd7;e772 7#g7 the term ,state has the meaning given that term in section #ija of title ,i of the ,omnibus ,crime ,control and ,safe ,streets ,act of #aifh 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #ajbea72 7#h7 the term underserved or disadvantaged community means-- 7,a7 a low-income community2 7,b7 a community of color2 7,c7 a ,tribal community2 7,d7 a rural community2 7,e7 aging individuals2 7,f7 veterans2 7,g7 individuals with disabilities2 7,h7 individuals with a language barrier1 including individuals who-- 7i7 are ,english learners2 or 7ii7 have low levels of literacy2 or 7,i7 any other community that the ,administrator determines is disproportionately vulnerable to1 or bears a disproportionate burden of1 any combination of economic1 social1 environmental1 or climate stressors2 and 7#i7 the term unit of local government means a city1 county1 township1 town1 borough1 parish1 village1 or other general purpose political subdivision of a ,state4 #c4 ,digital service grants 7a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,digital ,service1 shall establish a ,digital ,service ,grant ,program1 under which the ,administrator shall make grants to eligible applicants in accordance with the requirements of this section for the purpose of establishing or supporting a digital service team4 7b7 ,application ,an eligible applicant desiring a digital service grant shall submit an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may specify4 7c7 ,initial grant preference ,among eligible applicants that have not previously received a digital service grant1 the ,administrator shall give preference to an eligible applicant if-- 7#a7 the chief executive officer of the eligible applicant has publicly demonstrated a commitment to modernizing government technology and service delivery2 7#b7 the eligible applicant has officially designated an officer of the eligible applicant to have responsibility for functions relating to the digital services of the eligible applicant1 such as a ,chief ,technology ,officer1 ,chief ,innovation ,officer1 or ,chief ,digital ,services ,officer1 and such functions are recognized as distinct from management and operations of traditional information technology2 7#c7 the eligible applicant demonstrates a rigorous commitment to human-centered delivery of government services in such manner as the ,administrator determines appropriate2 7#d7 the eligible applicant articulates clearly a specific benefits program of the ,federal ,government with respect to which the eligible applicant1 in collaboration with the relevant ,federal agency1 intends to modernize the digital delivery of government services by the eligible applicant2 or 7#e7 the eligible applicant articulates clearly how the eligible applicant will use amounts received under the grant to improve the digital delivery of government services to underserved or disadvantaged communities4 7d7 ,continuing grants ,the ,administrator may make not more than #b additional digital service grants to an eligible applicant that has previously received a digital service grant if the eligible applicant-- 7#a7 has a demonstrated record of successful digital delivery of government services1 including through the use of the most recent prior digital service grant2 and 7#b7 articulates clearly the government service delivery projects the eligible applicant would carry out with the grant4 7e7 ,grant period ,the ,administrator shall award digital service grants for a period of not more than #c years4 7f7 ,continuity of funding ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,administrator shall award digital service grants described in subsection 7d7 in a manner that ensures that there is not a break in funding-- 7#a7 between the initial digital service grant described in subsection 7c7 and the first grant described in subsection 7d72 or 7#b7 between the first grant described in subsection 7d7 and the second grant described in subsection 7d74 7g7 ,grant amount ,the annual amount of a digital service grant shall be equal to the lesser of-- 7#a7 in dollars1 the amount equal to the sum of-- 7,a7 the population served by the eligible applicant2 and 7,b7 #bjj1jjj2 or 7#b7 #c1jjj1jjj4 7h7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,not less than #ej percent of the amount received under a digital service grant shall be used for salary and benefits of the members of the digital service team4 7#b7 ,accessibility ,an eligible applicant that receives a digital service grant shall make public services improved by a digital service team of the eligible applicant available in an accessible format1 compliant with the most recent ,web ,content ,accessibility ,guidelines of the ,web ,accessibility ,initiative1 or successor guidelines4 7i7 ,matching requirement 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,federal share of an activity carried out using a digital service grant shall be not more than #ij percent4 7#b7 ,waiver ,upon application by an eligible applicant1 the ,administrator may waive the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,administrator determines that the eligible applicant demonstrates financial need4 7j7 ,procurement best practices ,the digital service team of an eligible applicant that receives a grant under this section shall work with the ,united ,states ,digital ,service and the #ah;,f office within the ,general ,services ,administration to establish procurement best practices based on ,federal best practices1 such as the #ah;,f office's budgeting handbook1 and the individual needs of the eligible applicant4 7k7 ,supplement not supplant ,a digital service grant to an eligible applicant shall supplement1 not supplant1 other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 or ,tribal funds that are available to the eligible applicant to carry out activities described in this section4 7l7 ,set asides 7#a7 ,in general ,from amounts made available in a fiscal year to carry out the ,digital ,service ,grant ,program under this section1 the ,administrator shall reserve #e percent for the implementation and administration of the grant program1 which shall include-- 7,a7 providing technical support and assistance2 7,b7 providing assistance to eligible applicants to prepare applications for digital service grants2 7,c7 assisting eligible applicants in preparing and submitting the reports required under section #e7;a72 7,d7 collecting demographic data about grant applicants1 grant recipients1 and populations served2 and 7,e7 conducting outreach to eligible applicants regarding opportunities to apply for digital service grants4 7#b7 ,indian ,tribes ,from amounts made available in a fiscal year to carry out the ,digital ,service ,grant ,program under this section1 the ,administrator shall use not less than #aj1jjj1jjj for grants to eligible applicants that are ,indian ,tribes4 #d4 ,digital service planning grants 7a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,digital ,service1 shall establish a ,digital ,service ,planning ,grant ,program under which the ,administrator shall make grants to eligible applicants in accordance with the requirements of this section for the purpose of creating a plan to establish a digital service team4 7b7 ,application ,an eligible applicant desiring a digital service planning grant shall submit an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may specify4 7c7 ,grant period ,the ,administrator shall award digital service planning grants for a period of #a year4 7d7 ,grant amount ,the amount of a digital service grant shall be not less than #ej1jjj and not more than #bjj1jjj4 7e7 ,matching requirement 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,federal share of an activity carried out using a digital service planning grant shall be not more than #ij percent4 7#b7 ,waiver ,upon application by an eligible applicant1 the ,administrator may waive the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 if the ,administrator determines that the eligible applicant demonstrates financial need4 7f7 ,supplement not supplant ,a digital service planning grant to an eligible applicant shall supplement1 not supplant1 other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 or ,tribal funds that are available to the eligible applicant to create a plan to establish a digital service team4 7g7 ,set asides ,from amounts made available in a fiscal year to carry out the ,digital ,service ,planning ,grant ,program under this section1 the ,administrator shall reserve #e percent for the implementation and administration of the grant program1 which shall include-- 7#a7 providing technical support and assistance2 7#b7 providing assistance to eligible applicants to prepare applications for digital service planning grants2 7#c7 assisting eligible applicants in preparing and submitting the reports required under section #e7;a72 and 7#d7 conducting outreach to eligible applicants regarding opportunities to apply for digital service planning grants4 #e4 ,reporting and evaluation 7a7 ,recipients 7#a7 ,digital service grant report ,not later than the end of the period of a digital service grant1 the recipient of the digital service grant shall submit to the ,administrator and make publicly available on the website of the recipient a brief report describing-- 7,a7 the skills and areas of expertise of the members of the digital service team established or supported using amounts made available under the grant2 7,b7 projects undertaken using amounts made available under the grant1 including a discussion of the impact of those projects2 7,c7 lessons learned from implementing the projects described in subparagraph 7,b72 7,d7 human-centered measurements of how well the projects described in subparagraph 7,b7 help the people they serve2 7,e7 the information technology and delivery projects the recipient intends to implement next2 and 7,f7 any other information determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 7#b7 ,digital service planning grant report ,not later than the end of the period of a digital service planning grant1 the recipient of the digital service planning grant shall submit to the ,administrator and make publicly available on the website of the recipient a brief report describing-- 7,a7 a summary of the plan developed using amounts under the digital service planning grant2 7,b7 proposed projects for a future digital service team2 7,c7 proposed human-centered measurements of how well the projects described in subparagraph 7,b7 would help the people they serve2 and 7,d7 any other information determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 7#c7 ,technical assistance ,the ,administrator shall provide technical support and assistance to eligible entities receiving a digital service grant to complete the reporting and evaluation required under paragraph 7#a71 to the extent practical1 to ensure consistency in data reporting and to meet the objectives of this ,act4 7b7 ,reports to ,congress and public ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,administrator begins awarding digital service grants1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,digital ,service1 shall submit to ,congress and make publicly available on the websites of the ,general ,services ,administration and the ,united ,states ,digital ,service a report that summarizes-- 7#a7 the digital service grants and digital service planning grants applied for and made2 and 7#b7 the uses and impacts of digital service grants1 based on the reports received under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,authority ,to contract and enter into other agreements ,the ,administrator may award grants and enter into contracts1 cooperative agreements1 and other arrangements with ,federal agencies1 public and private organizations1 and other entities with expertise that the ,administrator determines appropriate in order to-- 7#a7 evaluate the impact and efficacy of activities supported by digital service grants and digital service planning grants2 and 7#b7 develop1 catalog1 disseminate1 and promote the exchange of best practices1 both with respect to and independent of the ,digital ,service ,grant ,program and the ,digital ,service ,planning ,grant ,program1 in the creation and success of digital service teams4 7d7 ,consultation and public engagement ,in carrying out subsection 7b71 and to further the objectives described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7c71 the ,administrator shall conduct ongoing collaboration and consult with-- 7#a7 the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,digital ,service2 7#b7 ,state agencies and governors of ,states 7or equivalent officials72 7#c7 national1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local organizations that have digital service teams2 7#d7 researchers1 academics1 and philanthropic organizations2 and 7#e7 other agencies1 organizations1 entities1 and community stakeholders as determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 #f4 ,state use of ,federal resources 7a7 ,issuance of guidance ,not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall issue guidance to streamline the procurement of ,federal services and technology by ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes4 7b7 ,consultation and comments ,in formulating the guidance issued under subsection 7a71 the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 consult with the ,united ,states ,digital ,service1 the ,technology ,transformation ,services1 and digital service teams of ,states1 units of local government1 and governments of ,indian ,tribes2 and 7#b7 solicit public comments4 7c7 ,considerations ,in formulating the guidance issued under subsection 7a71 the ,administrator shall consider-- 7#a7 removing restrictions of the ,technology ,transformation ,services on funding sources and signatory requirements2 7#b7 creating a process for cloud service authorizations for ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes2 7#c7 streamlining the ability of ,states1 units of local government1 and ,indian ,tribes to purchase products offered by the ,federal ,government2 and 7#d7 any other relevant suggestions received as part of the consultation and comments under subsection 7b74 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,grants 7#a7 ,digital service grants ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out section #c #ajj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbh4 7#b7 ,digital service planning grants ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out section #d #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbh4 7b7 ,amounts for audit and oversight ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,inspector ,general of the ,general ,services ,administration #a1jjj1jjj for the first fiscal year during which digital service grants are awarded1 and each of the #g fiscal years thereafter1 for audits and oversight of funds made available to carry out this ,act4 7c7 ,availability ,amounts made available pursuant to subsections 7a7 and 7b7 shall remain available until expended4