Technology

in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2026

HR 7609: Rural Development Modernization Act

The Rural Development Modernization Act (HR 7609) increases the population threshold for determining "rural" status in Department of Agriculture programs from 20,000 or lower to 25,000 inhabitants. This change affects eligibility for broadband, telemedicine, housing, water, and sanitation programs serving rural communities across the country. The bill also removes military base population exclusions, clarifies definitions for U.S. territories and freely associated states, and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to annually reassess the population threshold based on census data and regional trends. These provisions aim to modernize how rural areas are defined for federal program eligibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing program eligibility by raising rural population threshold from 20k to 25k, including more communities in housing assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill modifies rural eligibility thresholds to expand broadband program access, directly advancing internet infrastructure for rural communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Broadband Access Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 7309: Reentry Resource Guide Act of 2026

HR 7309, the Reentry Resource Guide Act of 2026, creates a federal pilot program to fund states in developing digital resource guides for people returning to communities after incarceration. The bill requires states to create comprehensive, regionally sortable online guides listing contact information for 30+ essential services - including housing, employment, healthcare, crisis lines, substance abuse treatment, and disability support - available for download. States apply for 3-year grants (up to $8 million annually from 2027-2030) to build these guides, with funds covering planning, staffing, and maintenance. Grantees must report annually on fund use, and the Attorney General will evaluate the program’s impact on recidivism after the pilot ends. The direct beneficiaries are formerly incarcerated individuals seeking access to critical community resources.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds digital reentry guides with 30+ essential services to improve post-incarceration reintegration, directly reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires states to include healthcare services in digital resource guides, improving access to existing healthcare resources for returning citizens.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates digital resource guides for reentry services, promoting internet access and digital equity through online service directories without restricting tech use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2871: Safeguarding U.S. Supply Chains Act

HR 2871, the Safeguarding U.S. Supply Chains Act, blocks tax credits for manufacturers using components made by certain foreign entities deemed security risks. It specifically prohibits the advanced manufacturing production tax credit (Section 45X of the tax code) for components produced by "foreign entities of concern" as defined in a 2021 defense law. The bill also extends this restriction to qualifying battery components made using technology from those same entities. This directly affects manufacturers seeking the tax credit who rely on supply chains involving designated foreign entities. The changes apply to components produced and sold after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBlocks tax credits for manufacturers using restricted components, restricting a tax incentive under Section 45X of the tax code.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks tax credits for renewable energy battery components from 'foreign entities of concern,' directly restricting clean energy infrastructure development via funding limitations.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts tax credits for tech components from security-risk entities, enhancing supply chain cybersecurity by preventing use of compromised technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Energy Storage

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in committee · United States · House Jan 23, 2026

HR 7204: School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Camera Act

HR 7204, the School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Camera Act, directs federal agencies to study the benefits of requiring school buses to have stop-arm safety cameras and establish a grant program for states to adopt the technology. The bill requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to publish study findings and recommendations on data privacy, law enforcement sharing, and funding models within one year of enactment. It then authorizes the Transportation Secretary to create a grant program within 18 months, providing funds to state educational agencies to purchase or retrofit school buses with these cameras, or to install/maintain the technology. The law directly affects school districts and state education agencies by enabling financial support for implementing camera systems to improve student safety at bus stops.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes federal grants for school bus safety cameras, enhancing student transportation safety and infrastructure, directly supporting K-12 educational access and safety measures.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds camera technology adoption and mandates data privacy studies, supporting tech implementation with safeguards per bill's grant program and privacy requirements.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes school bus safety technology via grants and study, enhancing transportation safety standards for vehicle operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Data Privacy Public Transit Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3102: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Office of Rural Health, and for other purposes.

This bill creates a new Office of Rural Health within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address healthcare needs in rural communities. The office will coordinate CDC research, develop policies, and award grants focused on improving rural health access - particularly through telehealth - while identifying healthcare gaps and disparities. It directly affects rural populations by targeting challenges like chronic disease prevention, injury prevention, and limited care access. The office will work across CDC programs and coordinate with other federal health agencies to avoid duplicating efforts on rural health initiatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates CDC Office of Rural Health to coordinate research, develop policies, and award grants improving rural telehealth access and addressing healthcare gaps.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates CDC Office of Rural Health focusing on telehealth to improve rural healthcare access, directly leveraging technology to address healthcare gaps.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Mar 26, 2025

HR 2373: Increased Accountability for Nonconsensual Pornography Act of 2025

This bill amends federal law to strengthen protections against nonconsensual sharing of intimate images. It expands the definition of protected material to explicitly include "an identifiable individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct," broadening who is covered under the law. The bill significantly increases civil penalties for violations, raising the maximum award from $150,000 to $500,000 per incident. These changes directly affect victims of nonconsensual pornography and those distributing such material, providing stronger legal recourse.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections by increasing penalties for nonconsensual sharing of intimate images online, directly addressing digital rights and victim safety in technology contexts.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 7469: SNAP Online Access Act of 2026

This bill makes online grocery purchasing with SNAP benefits permanent nationwide, ending the current pilot program. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to transition the program within 120 days, issue necessary regulations within two years covering program integrity and equitable access, and consult with retailers, states, and consumer advocates. SNAP recipients who shop online for groceries will directly benefit from this permanent access, while retailers and EBT processors must comply with new nationwide rules. The bill mandates a report to Congress within 120 days detailing stakeholder input and recommendations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPermanently enables online SNAP grocery access, expanding internet access for low-income recipients and promoting digital equity through mandated program transition and equitable access regulations.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2765: SAFE Supply Chains Act

HR 2765, the SAFE Supply Chains Act, requires the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to only procure or use covered IT hardware, software, and firmware from original equipment manufacturers or their authorized resellers. It directly affects DoD procurement practices and IT suppliers, prohibiting purchases from other entities unless a waiver applies. Key provisions include a waiver process for mission-critical needs or research (with detailed reporting requirements), annual congressional reports on waivers, and guidance to help suppliers become authorized resellers. The bill does not create new funding and takes effect one year after enactment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts DoD procurement to trusted suppliers to prevent supply chain vulnerabilities, directly enhancing cybersecurity measures as defined in the topic.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4441: Patient Access to Innovative New Technologies Act of 2025

This bill creates a pathway for Medicare to cover innovative medical devices earlier. It allows "breakthrough devices" (new technologies designated for expedited FDA review) to qualify for Medicare's "new technology add-on payment" if approved, cleared, or authorized by the FDA before July 1 of a fiscal year. This means Medicare beneficiaries gain faster access to these new devices, and hospitals receive additional payment for using them, effective in the first quarter after FDA approval. The provision applies to devices approved on or after July 1, 2023, and is designed to be budget-neutral.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables faster Medicare coverage of FDA-approved breakthrough devices, improving patient access to innovative medical technologies and providing additional hospital payments.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAccelerates Medicare coverage for breakthrough medical devices, promoting adoption of new health technology innovations through expedited payment pathways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Jan 28, 2025

HR 802: STAR Act of 2025

The STAR Act of 2025 adds a 25% tax credit for qualified semiconductor design expenses incurred by U.S. companies. It directly affects businesses conducting semiconductor design in the United States, covering both in-house costs (like wages and supplies for U.S. design work) and contracted design services. The credit excludes duplicating existing products, cosmetic design, or activities unrelated to performance or reliability improvements. This incentive expires for design expenses paid after December 31, 2036.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds 25% tax credit for semiconductor design expenses, reducing corporate tax liability and incentivizing domestic production.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides 25% tax credit for U.S. semiconductor design expenses, directly incentivizing investment in foundational technology infrastructure and innovation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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