119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 9032
The RESTORE Third Spaces Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a three-year pilot program that awards grants to local governments, nonprofits, tribal nations, libraries, community colleges, and partnerships to renovate and develop third spaces—public gathering places like community centers, parks, libraries, cultural centers, and makerspaces that serve social, cultural, and economic purposes. The bill authorizes $200 million in funding for grants that can be used for planning activities and construction costs, with at least 60 percent of awards going to eligible entities serving low-income and underserved communities. Grant recipients must demonstrate community engagement in design, document historical inequities in their communities, ensure that renovated spaces remain free or low-cost to the public, and provide detailed reporting on attendance, programs, and economic and social impacts. The Secretary will submit a comprehensive report to Congress three years after the pilot expires assessing the program's success in reducing social isolation, supporting community life, and generating local economic benefits, along with recommendations for whether to expand the program beyond the initial three-year period.