The Workforce Transparency Act of 2026 establishes a voluntary federal framework for companies developing artificial intelligence systems to share aggregated, privacy-protected data about how their tools are used in the workplace. Participating providers and enterprise customers can submit statistical information regarding task usage, geographic distribution, and trends over time to the Department of Labor without revealing individual identities, trade secrets, or proprietary code. The Department of Labor will maintain a public database of this data and issue annual reports to Congress to support evidence-based workforce and economic policymaking. The legislation explicitly prohibits federal agencies from penalizing companies that choose not to participate and ensures that all shared data remains exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
This bill prohibits U.S. universities from receiving federal research and development funding for five years if they previously accepted money from specific foreign governments for projects involving artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum information science. The law targets institutions of higher education and restricts them from getting awards related to national security or military applications if they took funds from countries like China, Russia, Iran, or others listed in the text. It defines a "foreign source" broadly to include not only the listed governments but also their subsidiaries, agents, and entities with significant ownership ties to those governments. By banning these specific types of funding, the legislation aims to prevent potential security risks associated with foreign involvement in sensitive technological research.
This bill directs the Small Business Administration to create a plan for disclosing how it uses artificial intelligence in its operations and contracting. The agency must submit this implementation plan to Congress within 45 days of the law's enactment, outlining specific steps to define roles and document AI usage decisions. The requirements are based on a prior government report and existing federal guidelines aimed at increasing transparency in federal AI adoption. Ultimately, the legislation ensures the SBA formally reports its AI strategies and progress to legislative oversight committees.
The Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026 establishes new federal rules to manage the connection of large energy users, specifically data centers and other facilities with peak demand exceeding 50 megawatts, to the national power grid. Under this bill, these large load customers must pay the full cost for any grid upgrades required to accommodate their connection and must demonstrate the ability to reduce or shift their electricity usage when the grid is stressed. The legislation also creates a formal queue system for interconnection requests, prioritizes facilities that use battery backup or hire apprentices, and requires owners to provide proof of financial commitment before proceeding. Additionally, the Department of Energy is tasked with collecting data on data center energy use to track trends and establish a research testbed for developing more efficient artificial intelligence technologies.
This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs' high technology program to include emerging fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to help veterans find jobs in growing industries. It requires the VA, along with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to partner with private sector employers and schools to identify these new job opportunities and the specific training needed to fill them. The agencies must then prominently display this information on their websites and promote it to veterans during their transition from military service. Additionally, the law mandates that the list of relevant industries and occupations be reviewed and updated every quarter to reflect changing market demands, with the entire program set to expire in September 2027.
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and manufacture of vehicles and related technology from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to address national security concerns. The law defines prohibited items as connected vehicles, their software, and hardware components and sets different effective dates, with vehicle bans starting in 2027 and hardware restrictions beginning in 2030. A government official can grant exceptions for specific items after reviewing security risks and notifying Congress, while the agency must publish annual reports on enforcement actions and compliance.
This bill requires developers of artificial intelligence data centers to publicly disclose project details, such as location and environmental impact, at least 180 days before taking definitive construction steps. To ensure community awareness, the legislation mandates that developers engage local media, post on social media, send direct mail, place physical signs at the site, and provide materials in multiple languages. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of non-disclosure agreements with government entities and requires independent third-party environmental impact analyses funded by the developers. The Federal Trade Commission is designated as the enforcement agency, with violations treated as unfair or deceptive acts under existing federal law.
The SBA Artificial Intelligence Utilization Act of 2026 requires the Small Business Administration to submit annual reports detailing its use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These reports must cover the benefits and risks of this technology, including how it impacts operations, and outline strategies to maintain human oversight in important decisions. Additionally, the bill mandates that the SBA Administrator provide a briefing to congressional committees within 30 days of submitting each report. This legislation directly affects the SBA by establishing a formal process for evaluating and managing the adoption of AI tools within the agency.
The American Leadership in AI Act establishes a new Center for AI Standards and Innovation at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop voluntary guidelines and testing methods for ensuring artificial intelligence systems are safe, secure, and reliable. It creates a large National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource to provide researchers and students with access to advanced computing power and data, while also launching prize competitions to solve specific challenges in areas like national security and health care. The bill mandates that every federal agency appoint a full-time Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to oversee responsible AI use and requires the development of federal standards for AI procurement and security. Additionally, the legislation strengthens penalties for financial crimes committed using AI, protects workers who report AI safety violations from retaliation, and expands educational programs to improve AI literacy among K-12 students and the broader workforce.
The Guidelines for Use, Access, and Responsible Disclosure of Financial Data Act strengthens privacy protections for consumers by amending the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to require financial institutions to limit data collection to what is necessary, provide clearer privacy notices, and offer new rights for customers to access or delete their personal information. Key provisions include requiring explicit opt-in consent for sensitive data like biometric information, restricting how third parties can use consumer login credentials, and mandating that institutions disclose how they use artificial intelligence in processing financial data. The bill also establishes a right for former customers to request deletion of their data within 45 days and requires regulators to consider the impact of rules on smaller financial institutions with $15 billion or less in assets.
