Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 2794: DECLINE Act

The DECLINE Act requires federal agencies to immediately deactivate government payment cards (like purchase or travel cards) when employees leave their positions, including through separation, retirement, or discharge. Agencies must collect physical cards, remove them from digital wallets, and stop card usage within 30 days of an employee’s departure. This applies to all federal employees, including those in senior executive roles and policy-determining positions. Agencies must also report annually to Congress on compliance, card deactivations, and misuse prevention to prevent fraud or unauthorized spending.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires deactivation of payment cards to prevent unauthorized access, enhancing cybersecurity measures for federal systems.90% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2025

HR 5273: Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act

This bill exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It specifically applies to projects involving the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications facilities on "eligible support infrastructure" (like existing utility poles or buildings) that require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. The law removes these projects from being considered "major federal actions" under NEPA and "undertakings" under NHPA, streamlining the permitting process for broadband providers. This directly affects broadband companies, local governments, and tribes that handle infrastructure permits, by reducing federal review steps for FCC-approved installations on existing communication-supporting structures.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts broadband projects from NEPA environmental reviews, weakening regulatory protections for environmental impact assessments.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts broadband infrastructure from regulatory reviews to accelerate deployment, directly expanding internet access as a core technology policy goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 3149: App Store Accountability Act

The App Store Accountability Act requires major app stores (with over 5 million US users) to verify users' ages at account creation and obtain verifiable parental consent before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. App stores must clearly display age ratings for apps, provide age verification data to developers, and notify parents of significant app changes affecting minors. App developers must verify user age and parental consent through the app store's system, use age data only for age-appropriate restrictions, and cannot enforce terms against minors without verified parental consent. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general will enforce these requirements, with app developers potentially shielded from liability if they follow the rules and industry standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification and parental consent for minors' app usage, enhancing data privacy protections for children through regulated app store requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 4, 2026

S 3097: Health Information Privacy Reform Act

S 3097, the Health Information Privacy Reform Act, updates privacy rules for health data by requiring new federal regulations that harmonize with existing HIPAA and HITECH standards. It directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, and technology companies handling health information by mandating clearer privacy rules, stricter breach notifications, and new requirements for patient access to records. Key provisions include requiring written consent for selling health data, banning HIPAA protections for wellness app data (like step counts), and clarifying when health data can be shared without patient permission. The bill also establishes standardized rules for de-identifying health data and requires companies to notify patients if their health data is no longer protected under HIPAA. These changes aim to strengthen patient control over health information while aligning with modern data practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates written consent for health data sales, stricter breach notifications, and patient access to records, strengthening privacy protections in healthcare data handling.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates stricter health data privacy rules, requiring written consent for data sales and enhancing breach notifications, directly strengthening privacy protections for tech companies handling health information.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 29, 2025

S 2937: AI LEAD Act

The AI LEAD Act establishes a federal liability framework for artificial intelligence systems that cause harm to individuals or businesses. It sets standards for when developers (who create AI systems) and deployers (who use AI systems) can be held liable for harm, including defective design or failure to provide adequate warnings. The bill prohibits including certain liability limitations in contracts related to AI systems and creates a federal cause of action for individuals harmed by AI. It also requires foreign AI developers to designate a U.S. agent for legal service, with the law applying to claims filed after enactment regardless of when the harm occurred.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates liability framework for AI harm, prohibits liability waivers, enables consumer lawsuits - directly regulates AI for consumer protection95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 18, 2025

HR 5456: NWR Modernization Act of 2025

HR 5456, the NWR Modernization Act of 2025, modernizes the NOAA Weather Radio system to improve nationwide access to weather and hazard alerts. It requires expanding coverage to rural communities, national parks, tribal lands, and areas with poor cellular service while upgrading to internet-based broadcasts and developing backup systems. The bill mandates a 12-month assessment to evaluate access needs, compatibility with third-party apps, and reliability during outages. This directly affects all U.S. residents, particularly those in underserved areas currently lacking reliable access. Key provisions include transitioning to modern infrastructure, enhancing alert systems, and ensuring continuous real-time broadcasts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands internet-based weather alerts to rural/underserved areas, mandates compatibility with third-party apps, enhancing access and reliability per bill's modernization requirements.90% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2026

HR 7404: Fair Repair Act

The Fair Repair Act (HR 7404) requires electronics manufacturers (like smartphone or computer makers) to provide independent repair shops and device owners with necessary tools, parts, and documentation for repairing digital devices on "fair and reasonable terms." It prohibits manufacturers from using software locks, parts pairing, or other tactics to block third-party parts, reduce device functionality, or charge extra fees for repairs. The law mandates that repair resources must be priced and accessible similarly to what manufacturers offer their own authorized repair centers. Exclusions apply to motor vehicles, medical devices, and safety equipment like emergency communication devices.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables independent repair shops to operate, expanding employment opportunities in the repair sector by reducing barriers to entry and competition.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires manufacturers to provide repair tools/parts, prohibits anti-competitive repair barriers, aligns with consumer protection in digital device access90% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 6676: State Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2025

The State Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2025 establishes a federal program to fund state and tribal energy efficiency initiatives for manufacturers. It provides $100 million annually (2026-2030) to state energy agencies and Indian Tribes to support energy studies, efficiency upgrades, and advanced technology implementation at manufacturing facilities. The program requires states to allocate 5% of funds specifically for tribes or manufacturers in Indian Country, with strict spending limits (e.g., no more than 50% of funds for studies, 50% for implementation, 10% for admin costs). It directly affects manufacturers - especially smaller ones with under 500 employees - by enabling cost-free energy assessments and funding for equipment like renewable systems, AI-driven efficiency tools, and emissions-reduction measures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100M annually (2026-2030) for state energy efficiency programs, directly funding public service initiatives under state budget management.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds energy efficiency upgrades for manufacturers, directly aligning with support indicators like efficiency improvements and clean energy infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds energy efficiency upgrades for manufacturers, directly reducing energy consumption and emissions per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds advanced technology implementation for manufacturing energy efficiency, directly supporting tech adoption in industrial settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Artificial Intelligence Tags Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 193: Maintaining Innovation and Safe Technologies Act

The Maintaining Innovation and Safe Technologies Act requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to issue Medicare Part B payment guidance by January 1, 2027, for remote monitoring devices that use artificial intelligence. This guidance will clarify payment rules for devices like continuous glucose monitors, which must have an AI component (e.g., automatic adjustments) and transmit patient data to healthcare providers for treatment management. The bill directly affects Medicare coverage for these AI-enabled medical devices, used by patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes. It does not change current reimbursement rates but mandates clear payment criteria through updated guidance by the specified deadline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicare payment guidance for AI-enabled remote monitoring devices (e.g., glucose monitors), enabling coverage and access to innovative healthcare technologies under Part B.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates Medicare payment guidance for AI-powered medical devices, enabling adoption and innovation in health technology through clear reimbursement rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

Track

passed · United States · Senate Aug 10, 2026

S 2666: Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act establishes a taskforce to address unlawful robocalls made into the United States from foreign countries. The taskforce, composed of government agency representatives and private sector experts from telecommunications and related industries, must produce a report within 360 days detailing the scale of foreign-originating robocalls, their financial impact, and solutions like improved caller ID authentication technology and international cooperation. The report will specifically study call origins, identity theft losses, enforcement strategies, and incentives for foreign countries to collaborate on combating these calls. This bill directly affects federal agencies (including the FCC, FTC, and Department of Justice) and the telecommunications industry by mandating a collaborative effort to develop actionable recommendations for Congress.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly promotes improved caller ID authentication technology as a solution to combat foreign robocalls, directly enhancing cybersecurity measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

Track