The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act aims to address the national shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel by creating two new pilot programs within the Department of Homeland Security. The first initiative establishes an apprenticeship program that hires up to 25 individuals annually to gain on-the-job training and related education, with the goal of placing them in permanent federal cyber workforce positions after completion. The second program offers free cybersecurity training to veterans and military spouses, providing virtual and hands-on learning opportunities that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials. Both pilots include provisions for recruiting underrepresented communities and require regular reporting to Congress on participant demographics, completion rates, and employment outcomes. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for a federal cybersecurity workforce assessment from 2022 to 2028 to better track staffing needs.
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 Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act creates a new public website and database to help schools and school districts find cybersecurity tools, training, and federal funding opportunities. It also establishes a voluntary registry where schools can report cyber incidents to help identify trends and improve national monitoring. Additionally, the bill authorizes a program to deploy specific cybersecurity strategies and services to protect school systems from threats like ransomware. The Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is tasked with running these initiatives in partnership with various government agencies and school leaders. Congress has authorized $10 million for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to fund these efforts.
This bill directs the Attorney General to create guidance for local and state governments on establishing voluntary registries for individuals at risk of receiving false emergency calls, commonly known as swatting. The guidance will outline best practices for data privacy, secure technology integration, and training law enforcement to use registry information to de-escalate dangerous situations without mandating a federal registry. Additionally, the bill allows the Justice Department to provide technical assistance and funding to help communities implement these safety measures while ensuring that participation remains optional and that officer safety is not compromised.
The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act of 2026 amends federal law to expand the definition of foreign instrumentality. This change allows the U.S. government to classify any entity domiciled in a covered nation, such as China, as a foreign instrumentality even if it is not directly owned or controlled by that government. The bill directly affects companies and organizations operating in these countries by subjecting them to stricter scrutiny under existing economic espionage laws. By broadening who can be considered a foreign agent, the legislation aims to close a loophole that previously required proof of direct government control to trigger certain legal restrictions.
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.
The Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act of 2026 establishes a funding mechanism to help states and water treatment facilities respond to emergencies that pose a significant danger to public health, such as sewer overflows or cybersecurity incidents. Under this bill, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator can provide grants and technical assistance for activities that prevent or mitigate health risks but would be too costly for ratepayers to fund on their own. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these emergency efforts and also increases the existing funding for drinking water emergencies during the same period.
The Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of State to appoint a Senior Biotechnology Official within 90 days to lead U.S. diplomatic efforts in this field. This official must have expertise in biotechnology, international relations, and national security, and will work across federal agencies to coordinate global partnerships and policy initiatives. Their main duties include representing the State Department in international forums, securing supply chains, facilitating data-sharing agreements, and supporting research and capacity-building programs in partner nations. The official will also provide regular reports to the Secretary of State on the progress and outcomes of these diplomatic activities.
The PRIVACY Act restricts Federal law enforcement agencies from accessing surveillance data collected by State or local agencies without a warrant issued by a Federal judge. It establishes a "Jurisdictional Wall List" maintained by the Attorney General that includes technologies like automated license plate readers and long-range microphones, prohibiting the use of Federal funds to purchase these specific devices. While the bill allows for limited exceptions in emergencies or with consent, it mandates strict rules on data retention, requiring agencies to delete most collected information within 30 days unless it becomes evidence in an active prosecution. Additionally, the legislation bans the use of this data to monitor individuals exercising First Amendment rights and requires regular reporting to Congress on how these surveillance tools are utilized.