Sister City Transparency Act

The Sister City Transparency Act (S 1351) mandates a study by the government's auditor (Comptroller General) into U.S. local governments' sister city partnerships with foreign communities in countries scoring 45 or below on Transparency International's corruption index. It examines transparency in contracts, economic risks, potential espionage vulnerabilities, and impacts on free expression within these partnerships. The study will assess how these partnerships operate, including cultural exchanges and economic activities, and identify best practices for transparency. The findings will be reported to specific congressional committees within nine months, with no new requirements imposed on local governments.