A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Sister City Transparency Act directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study regarding sister city partnerships operating within the United States. This study specifically focuses on partnerships involving foreign communities in countries that received a score of 45 or less on Transparency International's 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index. The study will identify various partnership criteria, activities, outcomes, and information availability. It will also assess risks related to economic arrangements, freedom of expression, and national security. Additionally, the study will review the range of activities conducted within these partnerships. Finally, the Comptroller General must submit a report containing findings and recommendations to appropriate congressional committees.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The study directs the identification of information made available regarding partnership contracts and activities.
- Scored +1
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The study investigates oversight practices to mitigate risks of industrial espionage.
- Scored +1
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The study assesses the risk of economic coercion and malign market practices within these partnerships.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: The study aims to identify the types of information partnerships make publicly available regarding contracts and activities, which could improve transparency (Section 3(b)(1)(D)).
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Protection of Freedom of Expression: The study will look at how United States communities safeguard freedom of expression within these partnerships and assess if educational arrangements diminish that freedom (Section 3(b)(1)(E) and Section 3(b)(2)(C)).
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Enhanced Security Oversight: The study evaluates oversight practices meant to mitigate risks of foreign espionage and economic coercion (Section 3(b)(1)(F)).
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Identification of Best Practices: The study will review best practices to ensure transparency regarding agreements, activities, and employees (Section 3(b)(3)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Economic and National Security Risks: The study assesses whether these partnerships make United States communities vulnerable to malign market practices or strategic objectives that do not benefit United States economic and national security interests (Section 3(b)(2)(B) and Section 3(b)(2)(E)).
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Risk of Espionage and Human Rights Issues: The study investigates whether these partnerships allow for access to local institutions that could contribute to academic and industrial espionage or activities relating to human rights abuses (Section 3(b)(2)(D) and Section 3(b)(2)(F)).
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Visa Program Concerns: The study assesses the potential for foreign nationals to use visa programs inappropriately to participate in sister city partnership activities (Section 3(b)(2)(G)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The study directs the identification of information made available regarding partnership contracts and activities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The study investigates oversight practices to mitigate risks of industrial espionage. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The study assesses the risk of economic coercion and malign market practices within these partnerships.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — The study examines how local governments manage partnerships and potential economic vulnerabilities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The study assesses whether partnerships expose communities to malign market practices.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — The study assesses the risk of academic and industrial espionage through these partnerships.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The study evaluates how educational arrangements within partnerships might diminish freedom of expression.
- 5/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Scott PerryRepublican · Pennsylvania