Technology

in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1557: Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

This bill requires colleges and universities to improve their net price calculators - tools that help prospective students estimate actual college costs after aid. It mandates clearer website placement, detailed cost breakdowns (including tuition, room/board, books, and available aid), and data updated within two academic years. Calculators must also prominently display privacy protections, stating no personal information is sold or stored. These changes directly affect all institutions of higher education that operate such calculators, aiming to make cost estimates more transparent and user-friendly for students and families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates clearer college cost transparency for students, enhancing financial accessibility and informed decision-making in higher education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates privacy protections for student data in college cost calculators, requiring no personal information sold/stored, directly advancing data privacy standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · Senate May 7, 2025

S 1654: Safe and Private Rides Act

The Safe and Private Rides Act (S 1654) requires ride-sharing companies like Uber or Lyft to inform passengers when drivers have cameras recording in vehicles and provide a clear option to avoid those rides. Companies must register camera locations, display prominent opt-out choices in their apps, and restrict recording use to only reporting crime, insurance, or service compliance. Passengers can revoke their consent to ride in camera-equipped vehicles through an easily accessible app feature, separate from standard terms of service. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these rules, with requirements taking effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires ride-sharing companies to obtain passenger consent for in-vehicle cameras and restrict data use, enhancing data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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passed · United States · Senate Sep 24, 2026

S 3404: Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025

The Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 requires the Comptroller General to study federal efforts supporting cybersecurity for commercial satellite systems and report findings to Congress within two years. It mandates the Department of Commerce to establish a public online clearinghouse containing voluntary cybersecurity resources, including tailored guidance for small businesses. The clearinghouse will consolidate recommendations covering risks like hacking, jamming, supply chain vulnerabilities, and foreign ownership threats to satellite systems. This bill directly affects commercial satellite operators (non-Federal entities with licenses), federal agencies using satellite services, and small businesses developing satellite technology.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates study and public cybersecurity resources for satellite systems, enhancing protections against hacking and supply chain risks per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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passed · United States · House Jan 26, 2026

HR 5784: AI–WISE Act

The AI-WISE Act requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and maintain free, publicly available online educational resources about artificial intelligence specifically for small business owners. These resources must cover practical topics like understanding AI limitations, identifying AI-generated outputs, managing risks, protecting user privacy, and determining when AI tools are suitable for business use - without favoring any specific AI product or company. The SBA must develop these materials within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, consulting with an Advisory Working Group of AI experts and small business outreach professionals. This initiative directly affects small business owners by providing accessible, neutral guidance to help them navigate AI adoption safely and effectively.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates SBA to provide AI education including user privacy protection, aligning with data privacy support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · House Feb 14, 2025

HR 290: Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act of 2025

Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program through FY2030. This Department of Agriculture program provides grants to help rural communities gain the technology and training necessary to engage in telemedicine and distance learning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reauthorizes grants for rural distance learning technology/training, directly expanding educational access for underserved communities through funding and infrastructure support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReauthorizes USDA grants for rural telemedicine infrastructure, directly improving healthcare access in underserved communities through technology and training.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyReauthorizes grants for rural tech infrastructure/training to expand telemedicine/education access, directly advancing digital equity and internet access in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 28, 2025

S 2488: Empowering App-Based Workers Act

This bill establishes new transparency and accountability requirements for digital labor platforms (like ride-hail and delivery apps) that currently misclassify workers as independent contractors. It requires platforms to disclose how algorithms determine pay and work assignments, provides detailed pay statements showing the "take rate" (the percentage of consumer payments kept by the platform), and caps the take rate at 25% for ride-hail services. The bill directly affects app-based workers (such as drivers and delivery personnel) and the platforms they work for, aiming to address wage theft, lack of benefits, and algorithmic opacity. It also includes whistleblower protections for workers who report violations and mandates platforms to report demographic and compensation data to the government.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCaps platform take rate at 25% and mandates pay transparency, directly increasing app workers' earnings and rights while addressing misclassification.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates app platforms for worker transparency and pay fairness, aligning with consumer protection in digital labor tech90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Aug 8, 2025

HR 4918: Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act

HR 4918, the Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act, authorizes a $10 million pilot program for fiscal year 2026 to fund small businesses (under 500 employees) developing gun safety technology. The program provides grants to create devices like smart guns, childproof locks, or personalized safes that reduce accidental or unauthorized use. Grantees must report on milestones including prototype development, testing, and plans for bringing these technologies to market. The bill directly affects small gun technology developers by providing federal funding and reporting requirements for their safety-focused products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10M in FY2026 grants for gun safety tech development, directly funding a specific government program through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds small businesses developing gun safety technology (smart guns, childproof locks), directly advancing tech innovation in this domain per bill's grant program.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 2, 2025

S 1248: EASE Act

The EASE Act (S 1248) creates a new Medicare and Medicaid model to improve access to specialty health care for beneficiaries in rural or underserved areas. It requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to partner with nonprofit provider networks (comprising at least 50 rural clinics or health centers) to deliver specialty care via telehealth and remote technologies, coordinated with primary care providers. Eligible individuals include Medicare Part B beneficiaries or Medicaid/CHIP enrollees living in designated rural or underserved areas. The model mandates that selected provider networks must have proven experience serving rural communities and the capacity to track health data for evaluation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicare/Medicaid model to improve specialty care access via telehealth in rural/underserved areas, expanding patient access to services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates telehealth and remote technologies to expand rural healthcare access, directly advancing technology application in public services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare Telehealth Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Apr 3, 2025

HR 2639: Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2025

HR 2639, the Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2025, permanently expands Medicare telehealth coverage for services provided by Indian health programs and urban Indian organizations. It allows these services to be delivered from any location within the U.S. (including patients' homes) starting April 1, 2025, and includes audio-only telehealth as a covered option. This directly affects tribal communities by removing location restrictions and expanding access to remote healthcare through their existing Indian health programs. The bill modifies Medicare rules to make these telehealth flexibilities permanent, ensuring continued coverage for eligible tribal patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicare telehealth coverage for tribal communities, removes location restrictions, and adds audio-only options to improve healthcare access and service availability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands telehealth access via technology, allowing services from any U.S. location including homes, promoting digital equity and internet-based healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Telehealth Tags Tribal Nations

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passed · United States · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 1681: Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act

HR 1681 creates an interagency strike force to speed up reviews of broadband infrastructure permits on federal lands. The strike force, made up of officials from Commerce, Agriculture, and Interior departments, will set goals and monitor agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to prioritize these reviews. It directly affects telecom companies seeking permits to install equipment and federal land agencies managing public lands and National Forest System areas. The bill aims to reduce delays in broadband deployment by making the approval process more efficient, without changing land use rules.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAccelerates broadband infrastructure permits on federal lands, directly expanding internet access as a core technology policy goal.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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