The Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Veterans Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to hire an independent research center to evaluate artificial intelligence tools currently used or being developed for patient care within the Veterans Health Administration. This evaluation will focus on five specific high-risk systems to assess their safety, accuracy, fairness, and how well they integrate with existing medical workflows. The law mandates that the findings be reported to Congress within a year, followed by a detailed plan from the VA to address any identified risks or gaps in oversight. Additionally, a government auditor will review both the evaluation and the VA's response plan to ensure accountability, all without requesting new funding for the initiative.
The AI Ads Act expands existing federal election laws to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence-generated content for fraudulent purposes in political campaigns. Specifically, it requires candidates and committees to disclose when they use generative AI to create materials that misrepresent their authority or solicit donations. The bill also broadens the definition of who can be held liable for such fraud, extending protections to any political committee or organization, whether real or fictitious, rather than just candidates and their direct employees. These changes aim to prevent deceptive practices involving AI in political advertising and fundraising without altering the underlying penalties for violations.
This bill creates a legal exemption from antitrust laws for companies and organizations that share information or coordinate actions to protect against security risks posed by artificial intelligence. Specifically, it allows these entities to exchange data or agree to temporarily delay the release or deployment of AI systems if they believe such steps are necessary to prevent threats like weaponization, attacks on critical infrastructure, or unauthorized access. To qualify for this protection, the organizations must act in good faith, use the shared information solely for security purposes, and submit a written notice to the Department of Justice before implementing any coordinated delays. The law also ensures that details submitted to the government remain confidential and allows the Attorney General to seek court orders against companies that fail to prove their actions were legitimate security measures.
The SEARCH Act of 2026 targets large search engine and AI companies with over 40% of U.S. users to prevent them from favoring their own services or blocking competitors. It prohibits these platforms from paying for exclusive deals, forcing publishers to use their ads, or bundling their search tools with devices and browsers. The law also requires major platforms to share their search data and ad information with qualified competitors at low cost and to offer users a neutral choice screen to select default search engines. Additionally, the bill mandates that advertisers receive detailed reports on their campaigns and that platforms license their search results to rivals without restrictions. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these rules, with penalties reaching up to 15% of a company's annual revenue for violations.
The LEARN AI Act expresses Congress's preference for integrating artificial intelligence training into registered apprenticeship programs to better prepare workers for the technology. It directs the Department of Labor to encourage AI instruction, share best practices for responsible AI use, and offer technical help to employers and training sponsors. The bill allows the Department of Labor to support these efforts but does not force any specific program to include AI training or change existing rules. Ultimately, the legislation aims to assist in adapting the workforce to technological changes without mandating specific curriculum updates.
This bill amends Pennsylvania law to criminalize the act of photographing, filming, or viewing intimate parts of another person without their knowledge and consent for sexual gratification. The legislation specifically includes images created using artificial intelligence and defines intimate parts to include genitals, pubic areas, buttocks, and female nipples. It also clarifies that the offense occurs in places where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as changing rooms or private residences. The law applies to anyone who knowingly records or views these images, regardless of whether the person is wearing clothing. This measure takes effect 60 days after it is passed.
Requires third party verification of compliance with transparency and safety requirements for developers of artificial intelligence models; requires publication of such compliance reports.
The Options for Search Listing Act requires search engine operators to give users the ability to disable information displayed by artificial intelligence. This law defines an AI search engine as any system that uses automated analysis to generate search results and mandates that these platforms provide a specific option to turn off AI-generated content. The measure applies to any business or entity operating a search engine that relies on machine-based systems to make predictions or recommendations. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Science and Technology committee for further review.
This bill establishes a multi-year funding program administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development to support various sectors of the Massachusetts economy. The legislation allocates millions of dollars in grants to private businesses for constructing green facilities, developing artificial intelligence technologies, and creating new jobs, while also providing funds for defense innovation, food science, robotics research, and local downtown revitalization. A key requirement for most grants is that they must be awarded in a way that promotes geographic equity across the state. The funds are available until June 30, 2036, and can be administered by the executive office or contracted to existing state agencies.
The Language Access for All Act of 2026 requires all federal agencies to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency can meaningfully access government programs and services. To achieve this, agencies must translate vital documents into frequently encountered languages, add multilingual features to digital systems, and provide oral interpretation services, while also establishing a dedicated Language Access Coordinator in each agency. The bill mandates the creation of detailed language access plans and technical standards that cover both traditional communication methods and artificial intelligence tools, ensuring that AI is used only to assist rather than replace human interpreters. A new public complaint system will be established to track barriers to access, and agencies will be required to submit their plans and annual compliance reports to the Attorney General and Congress. Noncompliance with these requirements will be treated as discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, allowing the Department of Justice to investigate and enforce the law.
