Farm Tech Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a program to certify software that uses artificial intelligence to perform a task in connection with producing agricultural products. The program must be based on the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In order for USDA to certify software under the program, the software must (1) perform accurately; and (2) consistently meet or exceed the federal and state licensure, certification, and permitting standards applicable to a person performing the task. (The bill includes requirements for these standards.) USDA must prescribe any regulations necessary or appropriate to carry out this bill.
This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate on healthcare cybersecurity through a dedicated liaison. It mandates updated sector-specific risk management plans for healthcare facilities, including analysis of cybersecurity challenges for rural and small providers, medical device vulnerabilities, and breach response. The law establishes a process to identify "high-risk" healthcare facilities (like major hospitals) for prioritized security support. These provisions directly affect hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers handling sensitive patient data.
HR 9388, the Modern Firearm Safety Act, prohibits federal, state, and local governments from requiring certain safety features on handguns sold in interstate commerce. The bill specifically bans mandates for: loaded indicators, magazine insertion mechanisms, microstamping (microscopic markings on shell casings), or attachment points for such features. This directly affects handgun manufacturers and state/local governments that might have proposed or implemented such requirements. The law prevents new regulations requiring these features on handguns commonly used by the public, focusing on removing specific technical mandates rather than broader safety measures.
HR 9374, the Stand with Israel Act, prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support the United Nations or its entities if they restrict Israel's full participation as a member state. The bill specifically blocks funding for any UN body that expels, downgrades, or suspends Israel's membership or limits its ability to participate equally with other nations. This affects U.S. government contributions to the UN, requiring the Department of State and other agencies to halt funding for such UN actions. The key mechanism is a new provision in the UN Participation Act that mandates this funding restriction whenever Israel's UN participation is impaired.
The SAFER at the Border Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from temporarily admitting (paroling) certain individuals at the border. It defines "known terrorists" (those arrested, charged, or convicted for terrorism), "suspected terrorists" (reasonably suspected of terrorism), and "special interest aliens" (those with potential terrorism links based on travel patterns). The bill explicitly bans parole for these individuals, even for humanitarian reasons or public benefit, and also prohibits parole for refugees. Additionally, it allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security if they suffer financial harm exceeding $100 from the parole of such individuals.
Audit the IRS Act This bill prohibits an individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt from being appointed, or continue serving, as an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service.
This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to provide midwife services through TRICARE, the military healthcare system, for service members and their families. It requires the Secretary of Defense to begin the pilot within one year of enactment and mandates detailed annual reports on costs, beneficiary demographics, health outcomes (like pre-term births), patient satisfaction, and access metrics. The program would only include midwives certified under international standards and state licensing requirements. If the pilot demonstrates success in improving care and outcomes, the Secretary may make the program permanent.
This bill increases funding for replacing potentially insecure telecommunications equipment from $1.9 billion to $4.98 billion under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. It appropriates $3.08 billion specifically for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement this program in fiscal year 2024. The bill mandates the FCC to conduct a spectrum auction for certain frequencies within one year of enactment, regardless of prior expiration deadlines for such auctions. This directly affects the FCC, telecom companies bidding on spectrum licenses, and national security networks requiring secure communications infrastructure.
HRES 1412 is a formal congressional resolution condemning the People’s Republic of China Coast Guard for specific actions against multiple nations. It cites recent incidents, including harassment of Malaysian oil projects, an attack on Philippine soldiers, standoffs near Japan’s Senkaku Islands, and the interception of a Taiwanese fishing vessel. The resolution demands China respect international maritime law, calls for global condemnation of its actions, and urges the U.S. to strengthen alliances with partners like Japan and the Philippines while holding Chinese officials accountable. As a symbolic resolution (not a binding law), it expresses U.S. policy stance but does not impose new legal requirements.
HR 9315 requires the Treasury Secretary to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment, analyzing coordination between public and private sectors - including financial institutions and cybersecurity entities - in responding to ransomware attacks on financial institutions. The report must cover current information sharing practices, agency access to attack data, the usefulness of reported information for prevention/investigation, and potential policy improvements to enhance public-private partnerships. It directly affects financial institutions (as defined under 31 U.S.C. §5312(a)) and relevant government agencies by mandating a review of existing reporting and coordination mechanisms. The bill does not create new obligations or funding but seeks to identify gaps and recommend enhancements to streamline ransomware response. A briefing on the report’s findings is also required 15 months after enactment.
HR 9304, the Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act, requires the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a comprehensive review of stomach cancer incidence, risk factors, screening effectiveness, and current awareness efforts in the U.S. The review will specifically examine high-risk populations, the role of H. pylori infection, endoscopic screening methods, and public and provider education. Within 18 months of enactment, the NCI must submit a report to Congress with recommendations for defining high-risk groups, improving detection methods for precancerous conditions, establishing screening guidelines, and enhancing research and prevention efforts. This bill directly affects public health systems, healthcare providers, and individuals at higher risk for stomach cancer by aiming to inform future prevention strategies and screening protocols.
The Secure DOD Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) from acquiring information technology products manufactured, produced, or assembled by companies connected to China (defined as "covered companies") for new contracts entered after its effective date. Exceptions allow continued use of existing systems or replacements for pre-enactment acquisitions, and the Secretary of Defense may grant up to one-year waivers if compliant alternatives aren't available at U.S. market prices. Waivers require congressional notification within 30 days and demand proof the DoD is actively seeking compliant products. The ban takes effect five years after enactment, targeting only DoD procurement of IT products that process, store, or transmit digital data.
