H.R. 4329: Building Civic Bridges Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill is titled the Building Civic Bridges Act, and its primary purpose is to create an Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service. This office will focus on promoting civic bridgebuilding across the United States to improve relationships and cooperation among diverse communities. Below is a summary of the key components of the bill:

Establishment of the Office of Civic Bridgebuilding

The bill proposes the establishment of the Office, which will be headed by an Officer of Civic Bridgebuilding appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. This Office will be tasked with several duties aimed at fostering civic engagement and reducing polarization.

Duties of the Officer of Civic Bridgebuilding

The Officer will be responsible for:

Administering a grant program to support civic bridgebuilding initiatives. This includes creating standards to evaluate the effectiveness of funded projects.
Providing training in civic bridgebuilding techniques for participants in relevant programs and organizations.
Researching and evaluating civic bridgebuilding efforts and making this information publicly available.
Facilitating public discussions about the importance of civic bridgebuilding by organizing programs and providing resources.

Consultation Process

The Officer is required to consult with individuals and organizations involved in civic bridgebuilding. This consultation aims to:

Identify priorities for the Office.
Develop best practices and standardized criteria for evaluating projects.
Support research and dissemination of information related to civic bridgebuilding activities.

Civic Bridgebuilding Pilot Grant Program

The bill establishes a pilot grant program for three years to award funds to eligible entities for civic bridgebuilding projects. The goals of these projects include:

Reducing conflict and enhancing social cohesion.
Addressing public concerns related to human services, education, healthcare, environmental issues, and public safety.

The program may be extended for additional three-year periods, and grants will be awarded in three cycles each year during the pilot period.

Eligibility and Application for Grants

Engaging communities to overcome polarization.
Implementing research-based practices.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

Funding

The funding for this office and grant program will not come from federal funds. Instead, it will rely solely on private donations.

Definitions

The bill includes several definitions that clarify terms such as:

Civic Bridgebuilding: Activities that promote respect between communities, enhance social cohesion, and address public concerns.
Eligible Entity: Nonprofits, community organizations, educational institutions, and public institutions that can apply for grants.
Research Base: Publications and studies focused on political and social polarization and approaches for improving community relations.

Reporting and Oversight

The Comptroller General of the United States is tasked with reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of the grant activities and reporting these findings to Congress after each three-year period.