The Workforce of the Future Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to study AI's impact on jobs through reports due within 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years of enactment, focusing on data needs, affected industries, and vulnerable demographics. It authorizes $160 million in Department of Education grants to expand emerging and advanced technology education in schools, with specific emphasis on making these programs accessible to underrepresented groups including minorities, girls, and students from low-income families. The bill also allocates $90 million in Department of Labor grants to provide training for workers most impacted by AI in industries where AI is projected to significantly affect job opportunities. Grantees must report on program participation and outcomes, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, and demonstrate how programs will be sustained after funding ends. The legislation emphasizes collaboration between schools, industry, and labor organizations to develop curricula and training aligned with future workforce needs.
The SCREEN Act requires online platforms that create, host, or make available pornographic content for profit to implement age verification technology that prevents minors from accessing such content. Covered platforms must use technology to verify users' age and block access to content defined as "harmful to minors" - material that appeals to prurient interest, depicts sexual acts in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious value for minors. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the law, requiring platforms to conduct regular audits, maintain reasonable data security for age verification information, and make their verification processes public. Platforms must comply with these requirements within one year of the bill's enactment, with the goal of protecting minors from exposure to online pornography.
The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act (S 3755) establishes a regulatory framework for digital commodity exchanges, brokers, and dealers under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The bill requires these entities to register with the CFTC, defines key terms like "digital commodity" (excluding certain securities, stablecoins, and collectibles), and sets requirements for qualified digital asset custodians. It establishes customer protection rules including segregation of customer assets, transparency requirements for digital commodities, and recordkeeping standards. The act also creates an Office of the Digital Commodity Retail Advocate to represent retail participants and requires a report on demographic diversity in digital commodity markets. These provisions aim to provide regulatory clarity while protecting market participants in digital asset transactions.
This bill reauthorizes the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through fiscal year 2026. It sets federal cost-sharing rates at 60% for state governments and 70% for local governments in 2026, and authorizes $300 million in funding for that fiscal year. The program provides grants to state and local governments to improve cybersecurity infrastructure, directly supporting their efforts to protect public systems and data. The bill extends the program’s expiration date from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act (S 1337) extends the expiration date of a key provision in the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 from 2025 to 2035. This provision enables private companies and government agencies to share cybersecurity threat information without legal liability. The extension ensures the current information-sharing framework remains active until 2035, providing ongoing legal certainty for participants. It directly affects organizations that rely on this program to enhance their cyber defense capabilities.
The Register America to Vote Act of 2025 would require states to establish automatic voter registration systems through state motor vehicle authorities. When individuals interact with these agencies (such as when applying for a driver's license), they would be automatically registered to vote unless they decline. The bill would mandate states to send written notices about registration status, protect privacy of voter registration information, and provide federal funding to help states implement these systems. This would affect eligible citizens who interact with state motor vehicle authorities, with exemptions for states that already have automatic registration systems in place.
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HR 6558, the Defense Secure Mobile Phones Act of 2025, requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide wireless mobile phones with enhanced cybersecurity protections to senior officials and employees performing sensitive national security functions. The law mandates that all such phones and related telecom services must include encryption for data on devices and communications, capabilities to prevent tracking by rotating device identifiers, and continuous device monitoring. DoD must report to Congress within 180 days detailing the contracts used, criteria for identifying affected personnel, and associated costs. This bill directly affects DoD personnel handling sensitive security work by implementing specific technical security standards for their mobile devices.
The App Store Freedom Act would require major app store operators (with over 100 million U.S. users, like Apple and Google) to let users choose third-party app stores as default, install them directly, and hide pre-installed apps. It mandates that these companies provide app developers with equal access to platform tools and documentation, while banning forced use of company payment systems or penalties for developers using third-party payment methods. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the law with civil penalties up to $1 million per violation, and the bill would override conflicting state laws. This directly affects dominant app store platforms and their developer relationships.
Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act of 2025 This bill provides for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of prescription digital therapeutics (i.e., software applications that are used to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish a Medicare payment methodology for payments to manufacturers that takes into account certain factors (e.g., ongoing use); manufacturers must report specified information about private payors, subject to civil penalties.
This bill prevents federal or state agencies from requiring duplicate permits for undersea fiber optic cables that already have valid federal or state licenses, leases, or permits. It directly affects telecommunications companies operating these cables, ensuring they don't face additional authorization hurdles in national marine sanctuaries. The key provision prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from blocking or demanding new permits for cable installation, maintenance, or repair if a prior federal or state permit exists. This streamlines operations for existing cable infrastructure without creating new regulatory requirements.
