Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 4950: ITS Codification Act

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act formally establishes the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) as a test center within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This new entity will serve as a laboratory for the executive branch to study radio frequency emissions, analyze spectrum sharing between federal and non-federal users, and test technologies that enhance electromagnetic spectrum access. Additionally, the bill requires the ITS to launch an initiative focused on developing emergency communication and tracking technologies for locating individuals in confined or shielded environments where standard radio signals fail. To support this goal, the institute will collaborate with private sector partners and other federal agencies to assess needs and create technical standards, with a requirement to submit a progress report to Congress within 18 months of the law's enactment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes a test center to study radio frequency emissions and enhance electromagnetic spectrum access, directly advancing technology infrastructure and testing capabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9686: FARM AI Act of 2026

The FARM AI Act of 2026 directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prioritize artificial intelligence in its research, extension programs, and workforce training initiatives. This legislation requires the department to update its funding categories to include AI projects that enhance precision farming, resource management, and cybersecurity while adding specific training for implementing computing systems and maintaining agricultural machinery. To oversee these efforts, the bill establishes a new position called the Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor, who will coordinate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop national standards and promote the adoption of digital tools among farmers and rural communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes AI for precision farming and resource management, which can enhance environmental conservation and efficiency.65% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates workforce training and skills development for agricultural employees, enhancing their employability and professional capabilities.65% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly directs USDA to prioritize AI in research and training, enhancing cybersecurity and precision farming capabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9692: TOTAL Screen Time Act

The TOTAL Screen Time Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create a voluntary technical standard that allows parents and guardians to set screen time limits across various devices like phones, tablets, and computers. This standard must protect the privacy of minors by avoiding centralized data collection and unnecessary data sharing between devices while maintaining device cybersecurity. The bill requires the NIST Director to consult with government agencies, device developers, medical professionals, and advocacy groups before establishing the standard. Additionally, the Director must submit regular reports to Congress and the public detailing the progress of developing and adopting this standard until 2032.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates voluntary standards to enhance cybersecurity and protect minors' privacy while regulating device usage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9621: Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026

This bill updates federal regulations to allow for the targeted removal of sea lions and harbor seals in Washington and Oregon to protect endangered salmon and steelhead. It creates a new program to fund and develop technology that physically blocks these marine mammals from entering critical fish habitats while ensuring navigation remains unimpeded. The legislation also establishes a specific permitting process that allows state agencies and federally recognized tribes to carry out humane lethal removals of these animals under strict oversight. A key provision requires the government to review and potentially end this lethal removal authority after five years if the Secretary determines it is no longer necessary for fish recovery. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reports to Congress on sea lion populations and their impact on fish species, along with a long-term study on the effectiveness of these management actions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aims to protect endangered salmon and steelhead by controlling predation and funding habitat protection technology.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds and develops technology to block marine mammals, directly advancing the use of protective tech.65% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 9655: FAIR Data Act

The FAIR Data Act prevents investor-owned electric utilities from passing the costs of large data centers onto residential and small business customers through higher rates. This rule applies specifically to data centers with a peak power demand exceeding 75 megawatts, excluding upgrades to the power grid made to support these facilities. State regulators are required to review and implement this cost-recovery restriction within a year, while the Department of Energy must verify that states comply before receiving federal administrative funds. Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will submit an annual report to Congress detailing how these data centers impact electricity rates and grid reliability.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill prevents utilities from passing large data center costs to residential/small business customers, protecting consumers and promoting equitable energy access.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents utilities from passing data center costs to residential customers, potentially reducing energy demand and associated emissions from large facilities.65% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prevents utilities from passing data center costs to consumers, protecting residential and small business rates from tech infrastructure burdens.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 4822: Saving the OOI Act of 2026

The Saving the OOI Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to stop using federal money to shut down or reduce the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments located off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea. Instead, the bill requires the NSF to keep these ocean monitoring systems fully operational until a comprehensive review of the initiative is conducted with input from scientists and coastal communities. This legislation ensures that the existing network continues to function without interruption while the evaluation process takes place.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents defunding of ocean monitoring systems, which are critical for environmental data collection and conservation efforts.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects critical ocean monitoring technology infrastructure by preventing defunding and mandating continued operation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 4946: Health and Location Data Protection Act of 2026

The Health and Location Data Protection Act of 2026 prohibits data brokers from buying, selling, or sharing personal location and health information, while allowing exceptions for authorized disclosures, HIPAA-compliant activities, and newsworthy public interest reporting. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with defining specific data categories and enforcing these rules, with penalties including civil fines up to 15 percent of a company's revenue and the ability for the FTC, state attorneys general, and private individuals to sue for violations. This legislation applies to entities that trade data collected from others rather than directly from individuals, and it preempts only state laws that require the disclosure of data this bill forbids.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient privacy by restricting data brokers from selling health information, thereby safeguarding patient rights and data security.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects consumer data privacy by restricting data broker sales of location and health info.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9698: Advanced Coursework Equity Act

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act establishes a federal grant program designed to increase access to advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses for students in under-resourced schools and historically underrepresented groups. To achieve this, the bill requires recipients to adopt either open enrollment, which allows any student to join without barriers, or universal screening, which uses objective assessments to identify qualified students rather than relying solely on subjective teacher recommendations. Funding is distributed to state and local education agencies to cover costs such as training educators on equity strategies, expanding course capacity, and providing tutoring, with a specific focus on closing achievement gaps in STEM fields. The program includes strict reporting requirements and offers bonus payments to districts that demonstrate the most significant progress in enrolling diverse students in advanced coursework over the three-year grant period.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a federal grant program to expand access to advanced STEM courses for under-resourced schools and underrepresented groups.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds advanced STEM courses and mandates open enrollment or universal screening to improve digital equity and access for underrepresented groups.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9640: Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026

The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through fiscal year 2031. This program, managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, will support the collection and analysis of subsurface data using advanced technologies like modern sensing and digital geochemistry to map critical minerals and geothermal resources. The bill also updates the initiative's scope to include the 3D Hydrography Program and allocates $84 million for operations between 2027 and 2031.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $84 million to extend funding for a critical government program, directly advancing fiscal management and appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds mapping of geothermal resources and critical minerals, advancing energy infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds Earth Mapping Resources Initiative to map critical minerals and geothermal resources, advancing environmental data collection and conservation.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funding to advance advanced technologies like modern sensing and digital geochemistry for resource mapping.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 4948: SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act

The SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act requires the Small Business Administration to create a detailed plan for updating its information technology systems based on a recent audit report. This plan must outline specific steps to manage project risks, improve scheduling and cost estimates, and ensure security experts are involved in hiring contractors. The agency must submit this implementation plan to Congress within 180 days and provide a briefing on it within 30 days of submission. These measures aim to establish clearer policies for managing technology projects and reducing risks within the SBA.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates IT modernization and security expert involvement, enhancing cybersecurity and system reliability.75% confidence

Tags Small Business

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