This bill creates a pilot program that brings together the National Guard and the Corporation for National and Community Service to address workforce needs and national security goals. The program would allow National Guard members to work alongside national service participants on projects such as protecting critical infrastructure like energy grids and water systems, improving cybersecurity for schools and local governments, and enhancing disaster preparedness. It also aims to build a career pipeline that connects part-time Guard and Reserve members with structured employment opportunities to help address economic insecurity. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to expand community resilience and ensure workforce stability through these coordinated activities.
The Runway SAFE-T Act establishes a task force to study and recommend improvements for driver training programs at airports, ensuring that ground vehicle operators receive consistent and modern safety instruction. Additionally, the bill authorizes federal grants from 2027 to 2031 to help airports purchase advanced technologies, such as sensors and simulation systems, that enhance situational awareness and reduce vehicle-related safety incidents on airport runways and taxiways. These grants are intended to assist airport sponsors in overcoming barriers like cost and workforce availability while prioritizing projects tailored to specific airport layouts and safety needs.
This bill creates a new administrative account for the Railroad Retirement Board to manage funds specifically for its operations and technology upgrades. It establishes strict limits on how much money can be moved into this account between 2027 and 2031, based on a percentage of benefits paid or investment trust amounts, while also setting aside millions of dollars annually for modernizing outdated computer systems. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to produce reports reviewing the Board's efforts to update its legacy IT systems and consult with various stakeholders, including railroads and unions.
The STOP Child Care Fraud Act aims to reduce fraud and improve oversight within the federal child care subsidy program by requiring stricter verification processes for parents and providers. States must now verify family income and assets without relying on self-certification, limit payment exceptions for absent children to six days per month, and use electronic tools to confirm attendance. The bill also mandates that states integrate data from various systems to detect suspicious patterns and requires the federal government to review state compliance at least every three years. Additionally, the law establishes a national database of disqualified providers, imposes stricter penalties for audit failures, and sets specific asset and income limits for eligible families.
The Home Internet Accessibility Act requires the Comptroller General to produce a detailed report within a year on which federally assisted housing units currently have or lack the infrastructure to support high-speed internet. This report will analyze specific challenges, costs, and timelines for upgrading these properties, broken down by location and demographic data, while also reviewing past retrofitting efforts and pilot programs. Following this analysis, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must create a formal plan to upgrade necessary housing to support broadband service and submit it to Congress within 18 months. The legislation directly affects residents of government-subsidized housing by aiming to ensure their living spaces can accommodate modern internet connectivity.
This bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a comprehensive study on various broadband internet technologies, including fiber-optic cables, satellite systems, and mobile wireless networks. The study will examine specific factors such as workforce needs, deployment costs, internet speed and latency, equipment lifespan, and monthly subscription prices for consumers. The findings will be compiled into a report submitted to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment to inform future policy decisions regarding broadband infrastructure.
The Open Courts Act of 2026 creates a single, modernized online system to store and display public records for most federal courts in the United States. This centralized platform will automatically make court documents, audio recordings, and opinions available to the public immediately upon filing, while also offering features like searchable databases, email notifications for case updates, and permanent links for easy access. To help fund the development and maintenance of this new system, the bill introduces a fee structure that charges higher rates for high-volume users and government agencies while keeping basic access free for everyone. Additionally, the law sets strict standards for digital accessibility, cybersecurity, and data privacy, and requires regular audits to ensure the system meets user needs and remains secure.
This bill extends the expiration date for certain surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act from 2026 to 2029 and adds new restrictions on how the FBI can use data collected from non-U.S. persons. It prohibits the FBI from using this data to investigate U.S. citizens unless there is probable cause that the person is a foreign power or agent, and it requires regular court reviews and a GAO audit to ensure compliance. The legislation also introduces stricter criminal penalties for unauthorized access to such data and includes a separate provision that bans the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency.
This bill directs the U.S. government to create a strategy for maintaining global leadership in Wi-Fi and unlicensed wireless technologies, specifically in preparation for a major international conference in Shanghai in 2027. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop a public plan within 180 days that outlines how the United States will advocate for specific spectrum allocations and counter efforts by foreign adversaries to undermine these technologies. The plan must include strategies to coordinate with allies and address actions taken by the Chinese government, with a final report on progress due after the conference concludes.
The NO FAKES Act of 2026 establishes a new property right for individuals to control the creation and use of their digital voice and visual likeness replicas, extending protection to both living people and their heirs for up to 70 years after death. The bill requires companies and platforms that distribute these digital replicas or sell tools to create them to obtain explicit authorization from the right holder, while also setting up a notification system for online services to remove unauthorized content. Additionally, the law preempts existing state laws regarding digital likeness rights and includes specific penalties and safe harbor protections for platforms that comply with the new requirements.