Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 2081: RISE Act of 2025

The RISE Act of 2025 establishes a conditional liability shield for AI developers who provide clear transparency about their tools. It requires developers to publicly share "model cards" (technical summaries of AI capabilities and risks) and "model specifications" (system instructions) before deployment, plus clear usage guidelines for professionals. Developers gain immunity from civil lawsuits for AI errors when used by licensed professionals (like doctors or lawyers) in client services, provided they update these materials within 30 days of new versions or discovered flaws. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, and applies only to errors not caused by developer recklessness or fraud.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI transparency via model cards/specs, provides liability shield for professional use, promoting responsible AI development and consumer protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · House Dec 4, 2025

HR 6419: New Essential Education Discoveries Act of 2025

This bill establishes a National Center for Advanced Development in Education within the Institute to advance teaching and learning through research on effective practices, technology, and community-informed approaches. The Center will focus on developing innovative teaching methods, addressing achievement gaps, and promoting research on learning and development across all education levels from early childhood through adult education. It authorizes $500 million annually for 2026-2030 to support research, development, and improved statewide longitudinal data systems that connect educational data from early childhood through workforce outcomes while protecting student privacy. The bill also requires states to enhance their data systems to better track student progress and outcomes, with the goal of improving educational opportunities and closing achievement gaps.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $500M annual funding for education research center, advancing public education spending as a core budget priority.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $500M annually for a National Center focused on advancing teaching research, addressing achievement gaps, and promoting innovative methods across all education levels, directly funding and strengthening education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAuthorizes $500M annually for research on technology in education to advance teaching methods and address achievement gaps through tech-focused initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · United States · House Dec 4, 2025

HR 6469: FREEDOM Act

This bill (HR 6469) requires the U.S. State Department, in coordination with the FCC and Treasury, to submit a report within 120 days of enactment assessing internet access options in Iran. The report must evaluate the feasibility of using direct-to-cell wireless technology to expand internet access there, including technical, security, and regulatory considerations. It also analyzes how drone-based systems and signal jamming could affect such technology, surveys Iranian telecom providers (including state ownership and foreign investment), and examines broader implications for communications freedom. The bill does not enact new policy but mandates a government review of potential technological solutions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires report to assess expanding internet access in Iran via new tech, directly supporting internet access expansion as a key technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Emerging Technology Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Sep 11, 2025

HR 5311: CABLE Expansion Act

This bill requires local governments to approve cable infrastructure requests within 90 days (for pole attachments) or 150 days (for other public rights-of-way) or deny them with written justification. It directly affects cable companies seeking permits and local governments managing public rights-of-way for cable service. Key provisions include prohibiting delays via moratoriums, mandating evidence-based denials, and requiring public release of denial records. The law aims to streamline permitting for cable service expansion without altering service content or funding.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines cable infrastructure permits, reducing delays for broadband deployment, directly expanding internet access90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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passed · United States · House Sep 3, 2025

HR 2503: Undersea Cable Control Act

HR 2503, the Undersea Cable Control Act, requires the President to develop a strategy restricting foreign adversaries' access to items needed for undersea cable construction, maintenance, and operation. The strategy must identify critical equipment, coordinate with allies on unified export controls, and detail efforts to limit adversary access through international standards bodies. It mandates annual congressional reports and actions to evaluate adding such items to U.S. export control lists, with the goal of preventing adversaries from obtaining cable-support technology. The bill directly affects U.S. export policy and international coordination, targeting specific items under current export regulations without altering existing infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts foreign access to undersea cables for cybersecurity, aligning with infrastructure protection measures in technology policy.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 18, 2025

S 3190: Fire Innovation Unit Act of 2025

This bill establishes a 7-year pilot program to test and deploy innovative wildfire technologies through partnerships between federal agencies and private entities. It directly affects federal land management agencies (like the Forest Service and FEMA), state/local fire departments, and private companies, nonprofits, or universities developing fire prevention, detection, and response tools. The program will identify priority technology areas - such as remote sensing, community resilience tools, and autonomous suppression systems - and connect innovators with agencies for real-world testing, with evaluations focused on effectiveness, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Annual reports to Congress will track progress, costs, and barriers to adopting these technologies at scale. The goal is to accelerate the use of proven tools to improve wildfire management across federal and local operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates wildfire tech pilot to prevent/detect fires, directly protecting natural resources and ecosystems from wildfire damage, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes pilot program to fund and deploy innovative wildfire technologies through federal partnerships, directly advancing technology deployment in fire management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2411: Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company Act of 2025

This bill establishes a federal program to help small and emerging manufacturers access capital needed to scale from prototype to commercial production. It creates a "Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company Program" that provides leverage (up to $1 for every $1 of private capital raised) to private investment funds focused on technology-intensive manufacturing start-ups. The program requires participating funds to have at least $250 million in private capital and limits total leverage to $500 million per fund and $1 billion overall. The bill also amends other laws, including the Bank Holding Company Act and Community Reinvestment Act, to facilitate these investments and support manufacturing innovation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds technology-intensive manufacturing startups through capital leverage program, directly advancing tech sector growth and scaling95% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1899: Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2025

This bill requires federal contractors with large contracts (over $250,000) or those managing government information systems to implement standardized processes for reporting security flaws. It directs federal agencies to update procurement rules to mandate these vulnerability disclosure policies, aligning with existing NIST cybersecurity guidelines and international standards like ISO 29147. Contractors must address potential security issues in systems used for government work, with limited waivers allowed only for national security reasons and requiring congressional notification. The policy applies directly to major federal contractors handling sensitive government data or systems. The bill does not authorize new funding for implementation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates standardized vulnerability reporting for federal contractors, aligning with NIST/ISO cybersecurity standards to enhance system security and protect government data systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · House Apr 3, 2026

HR 7658: Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 requires states to transition from magnetic stripe to chip-enabled EBT cards within 4-5 years, with specific deadlines for new cards and reissuing existing cards. It mandates states to provide multiple user interfaces for managing EBT accounts - including mobile-friendly web portals, text messaging, voice services, and nondigital options - all available 99% of the time in required languages. The bill requires states to provide real-time transaction notifications, access to historical transactions for the past year, and fraud reporting capabilities to SNAP recipients, while prohibiting PIN/password requirements that conflict with federal cybersecurity standards. It eliminates fees for replacing cards due to malfunction, fraud, or required upgrades and requires states to replace damaged or lost cards within 3 business days. Additionally, the bill includes a grant program to help retailers upgrade to chip-compatible payment terminals in areas with limited grocery access.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates chip EBT cards for enhanced cybersecurity and requires multiple digital/nondigital access points, promoting security and digital equity in SNAP program access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4155: American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025

HR 4155 establishes "Centers of Excellence" focused on 11 key agricultural research areas, including biosecurity, digital agriculture, beginning farmer training, and food safety. Eligible institutions - such as land-grant universities, veterinary schools, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges - will host these centers, receiving $10 million annually from 2026-2030 to fund research, extension, and education programs. The bill prohibits funding for new construction and requires annual reports on projects, funding sources, and technology transfers. It directly affects agricultural researchers, farmers, and rural communities by strengthening food system resilience and workforce development through targeted research initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExplicitly funds education programs at higher education institutions (land-grant universities) as part of agricultural research centers, supporting higher education.70% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds research in 'digital agriculture' as a key focus area, advancing technology applications in farming through $10M annual grants for tech-focused agricultural programs.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

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