Technology (Telecommunications)

in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2154: American Cybersecurity Literacy Act

HR 2154, the American Cybersecurity Literacy Act, directs the Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary to create a public education campaign about cybersecurity best practices. The campaign will teach Americans how to identify phishing emails, use stronger passwords and multi-factor authentication, secure smart home devices, and safely use public Wi-Fi networks. It specifically targets the general public with practical guidance on reducing everyday cybersecurity risks through accessible materials in multiple languages. The bill does not create new laws but focuses on raising awareness through clear, actionable steps for everyday internet users.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPromotes cybersecurity education to protect users, enhancing digital safety and privacy practices through public awareness campaign95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Telecommunications

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passed · United States · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 2474: Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act

Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s capability to incorporate low-orbit satellites in broadband projects. Specifically, the study must review and analyze the capacity and cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband service for business purposes and economic development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly studies satellite broadband expansion to improve internet access in Appalachia, directly advancing technology infrastructure access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Dec 12, 2025

HR 6687: DRIVER Act

The DRIVER Act requires car manufacturers and fleet owners to give vehicle owners free, real-time access to their vehicle's data (like location, driving habits, and sensor information) through standard ports or wireless connections. Owners can control how this data is used or shared with third parties (except for foreign adversaries), delete stored data, and cannot be charged for access or decryption. Manufacturers and fleet owners must provide clear opt-out options before selling owner data and are banned from selling data to specific countries like China, Russia, or Iran. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these rules under existing laws, and states cannot create conflicting laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates vehicle data access control, deletion rights, and prohibits charging for access, directly protecting consumer data privacy under technology policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Feb 24, 2025

HR 1541: Wireless Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act

This bill exempts certain wireless infrastructure projects from standard environmental and historic preservation reviews. It removes requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for projects involving mounting or modifying existing wireless facilities (like cell towers or antennas) that require federal approval. The exemption applies directly to wireless providers seeking permits for these installations, streamlining the approval process with state, local, or tribal governments. This change aims to accelerate deployment of wireless broadband infrastructure by reducing regulatory hurdles.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts wireless infrastructure from NEPA/NHPA environmental reviews, weakening regulatory oversight for projects involving cell towers/antennas.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines wireless infrastructure approvals, removing NEPA/NHPA barriers to accelerate broadband deployment and expand internet access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2025

HR 5358: TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act

This bill exempts certain broadband network projects from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It directly affects projects replacing "covered communications equipment" (like equipment deemed insecure under existing law) with secure alternatives. The key mechanism removes the need for federal environmental reviews or historic preservation assessments when replacing banned equipment. This streamlines the process for deploying secure broadband infrastructure by bypassing these review steps for qualifying projects. The policy change specifically targets faster replacement of insecure equipment without altering security standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts broadband projects from NEPA environmental reviews, removing regulatory barriers that protect ecosystems and natural resources during infrastructure deployment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves regulatory barriers for replacing insecure broadband equipment with secure alternatives, directly advancing cybersecurity infrastructure deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House May 6, 2025

HR 3212: LAST ACRE Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Last Acre Program to provide grants and loans to broadband providers to deliver high-speed internet (minimum 100 Mbps downstream, 20 Mbps upstream) to agricultural land that is unserved or underserved. It directly affects farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers on eligible land (including cropland, grassland, and farm sites) who lack sufficient broadband access, with priority for limited resource farmers and ranchers. The program requires providers to meet cybersecurity standards, use a competitive bidding process to determine recipients, and prioritize remote areas and unserved land, with $20 million authorized annually from 2026-2030. It also mandates the National Agricultural Statistics Service to collect detailed broadband usage data through updated agricultural surveys.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds broadband expansion to unserved agricultural areas with minimum speed requirements, directly advancing internet access for underserved communities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Cybersecurity Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 763: Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025

This bill amends IRS rules to require health insurance plans to cover telehealth services without applying deductibles, preventing plans from being disqualified as high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) solely because they waive deductibles for telehealth. It directly affects health insurance plans and employers offering HDHPs by changing how telehealth services are treated under IRS regulations. Key provisions include creating a specific exemption for telehealth services in the Internal Revenue Code and clarifying that such coverage does not disqualify plans from HDHP status. The changes take effect for plan years starting after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage of telehealth without deductibles, expanding access to healthcare services and aligning with healthcare access support indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes financial barriers for telehealth coverage, promoting technology adoption in healthcare services per IRS rule changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2025

HR 1873: Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act

HR 1873, the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act, excludes certain federal broadband grants from taxable income for recipients. It directly affects entities (like internet providers or local governments) receiving qualifying grants under specific programs, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program and State Digital Equity Capacity Grants established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses covered by these excluded grants and reduces the adjusted basis of related property. This change applies to grants received in taxable years ending after March 11, 2023.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes federal broadband grants from taxable income, providing tax relief to recipients and preventing double taxation on public infrastructure funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables tax-free broadband grants for entities supporting digital equity programs, directly enhancing educational access and infrastructure for schools under Infrastructure Act provisions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExcludes broadband grants from taxable income, reducing financial barriers for providers and local governments deploying infrastructure, directly expanding internet access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 3565: SUCCESS for BEAD Act

The SUCCESS for BEAD Act (S 3565) modifies how leftover funds from the federal BEAD broadband program can be used. It requires eligible entities to establish a competitive subgrant program using remaining funds for public safety (including Next Generation 9-1-1 systems), workforce development in telecommunications and AI sectors, and AI-supportive infrastructure projects. The bill specifies priorities for underserved areas, military installations, and cybersecurity, while including a public challenge process to prevent overbuilding of fiber infrastructure. It also establishes requirements for coordination with emergency communications centers for Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates funds for workforce development in telecom/AI sectors, directly advancing employment training and job creation in emerging industries.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirects leftover BEAD funds to AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and broadband access in underserved areas, promoting tech development and digital equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Artificial Intelligence Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1694: AI Accountability Act

HR 1694, the AI Accountability Act, directs the Commerce Department's Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information to study accountability measures for AI systems used in communications networks (like social media and telecom) and spectrum sharing. The study will examine how these measures can help close the digital divide, reduce cybersecurity risks, and clarify terms like "trustworthy" AI, while consulting with industry, academia, and consumers. It requires two reports within 18 months: one detailing the study findings and stakeholder feedback, and another recommending how to make AI system information accessible to the public. The bill does not impose new regulations but focuses on gathering data to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill directs study to reduce cybersecurity risks and close digital divide through AI accountability measures, aligning with tech accountability goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media Telecommunications

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