The Data Science and Literacy Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education to support state agencies, local school districts, tribal schools, and higher education institutions in expanding data literacy and statistics education from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary levels. Eligible recipients must use funds for activities such as developing new curricula, providing professional development for teachers, and creating partnerships with industry or community organizations to reduce access gaps for underrepresented students. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, requiring grantees to submit biannual reports on student outcomes disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and income status. Additionally, the legislation amends existing federal law to require the collection of demographic and background data on secondary school STEM teachers in each state every five years.
The GUARDIAN Act requires social media platforms to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting or processing the personal data of users under the age of 16. It defines "covered platforms" as internet services that use design features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, and personalized recommendation algorithms to promote user engagement. The bill mandates that these platforms delete a minor's data when they turn 16 unless a parent explicitly requests retention, and it grants parents the right to withdraw consent at any time, which forces the platform to terminate the account within ten days. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission, with state attorneys general also permitted to bring civil actions for violations, while the law preempts conflicting state regulations but allows states to enact stricter protections for minors.
The MATCH IT Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a uniform definition for patient match rates and establish a minimum data set required to accurately link patients with their medical records. These new standards would be integrated into federal health information technology certification criteria and Medicare interoperability program requirements, affecting electronic health record vendors and healthcare providers participating in these programs. To encourage adoption, the bill introduces a voluntary bonus measure within the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program that allows eligible providers to receive payment adjustments for achieving high patient match rates, such as 90 percent or higher. Additionally, the legislation mandates the creation of an anonymous reporting program where providers can submit matching accuracy data to help the government monitor progress and adjust incentive thresholds over time.
The Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026 directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive study of existing federal cybersecurity initiatives, tools, and services designed to support small businesses. The investigation will assess how effectively these resources help owners identify cyber risks, prepare for threats, recover from attacks, and secure funding for security measures. Additionally, the study will evaluate the level of awareness among small business owners regarding these programs and examine how well different federal efforts are coordinated with one another. Upon completion, the findings and recommendations for improving these services will be submitted to the relevant congressional committees without authorizing any new spending.
The FRONTIER Act establishes a regulatory framework for the largest artificial intelligence developers to manage and disclose risks associated with their most powerful models, known as "frontier models." It requires companies meeting specific revenue and spending thresholds to create public safety frameworks, undergo independent third-party audits, and report incidents or potential harms to the Department of Commerce. The bill also creates a system where the Secretary of Commerce can issue emergency orders to suspend or restrict model development if an imminent catastrophic risk is identified. Additionally, the legislation preempts state laws that impose new obligations on AI developers regarding risk transparency, auditing, and incident reporting to ensure a uniform national approach.
This bill, titled the No TSA Data for ICE Act, prohibits the Transportation Security Administration from sharing passenger data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It specifically bars these agencies from using TSA information or data from private brokers to perform immigration enforcement functions. Additionally, the legislation prevents the denial, suspension, or early termination of Trusted Traveler programs like PreCheck and Global Entry if an individual's participation in First Amendment-protected activities is the reason. The law defines the restricted data as personally identifiable information about flight passengers obtained from the TSA or private sector entities.
The PHD Talent Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to help universities create accelerated doctoral programs in critical fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These programs aim to train U.S. citizens and permanent residents by shortening the time to earn a doctorate, integrating undergraduate and graduate coursework, and providing funding that covers at least three years of doctoral study. The Department of Energy will award grants to universities that partner with national laboratories and industry to offer these tracks, which also include structured mentorship and research rotations to build dual expertise in a specific science and computational methods. The legislation authorizes $250 million for the program between 2028 and 2032 and requires the Department of Energy to submit annual reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and student outcomes.
The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends federal funding for the Regional Innovation Program through fiscal year 2030, providing up to $50 million annually to support economic development in specific areas. The bill defines eligible partners as state or nonprofit organizations that offer direct financing, commercialization services, and entrepreneurial support to local businesses. It mandates that the federal government contribute no more than 50 percent of project costs, with an additional 40 percent available based on regional needs, and requires outreach to rural communities and areas facing economic distress. Additionally, the legislation allows agencies to use unspent funds from previous years and updates the program's focus to include specific initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation.
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This bill creates a legal exemption from antitrust laws for private companies that share information or coordinate actions to protect against specific artificial intelligence security risks. It defines these risks as scenarios where AI could be stolen, weaponized, used to create dangerous weapons, disrupt critical infrastructure, or evade oversight by authorities. To qualify for this protection, companies must act in good faith, use the shared information solely for security purposes, and notify the Department of Justice before any coordinated efforts to delay or limit AI development. The law also ensures that information shared with the government remains confidential and allows the Attorney General to seek court orders if a company fails to prove it acted properly or if the actions ultimately increase security risks.
The Online Sellers' Bill of Rights Act of 2026 aims to protect third-party businesses using major online marketplaces by requiring these platforms to provide greater transparency and due process. Under the bill, the Federal Trade Commission must create rules that limit how long platforms can hold inventory or freeze funds, mandate written notice within 72 hours for any restrictions, and ensure sellers receive at least 30 days' warning before significant policy changes. The law also establishes a presumption of innocence, placing the burden of proof on the platform to demonstrate a violation rather than on the seller, and allows for specific appeals processes. Enforcement is handled through the FTC, which can pursue violations as unfair competition, while state attorneys general and individual sellers retain the right to file civil lawsuits for damages.
