Technology

in committee · United States · House Jul 25, 2025

HR 4777: INNOVATE Act

The INNOVATE Act reforms the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to better support small businesses developing innovative technologies. Key provisions include creating a new "Phase 1A" program to increase accessibility for new small business entrants (with proposals limited to 5 pages and awards capped at $40,000), requiring fixed-price contracts for SBIR/STTR awards, and strengthening security measures to protect intellectual property from foreign influence. The bill prohibits SBIR/STTR awards to businesses with certain agreements (like with NewsGuard or Disinformation Index), expands outreach to rural communities, and extends program authorization through 2028. It also streamlines administrative processes, improves data collection, and requires GAO reports on due diligence programs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyReforms SBIR/STTR to fund small business tech innovation via Phase 1A, fixed-price contracts, and IP protection, directly advancing technology development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · Senate May 8, 2025

S 1702: Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act of 2025

This bill requires Medicare to cover "prescription digital therapeutics" (software-based treatments for medical conditions, like apps for diabetes management or mental health) starting January 1, 2026. It mandates Medicare to establish payment rules for manufacturers - considering actual costs and usage - and create specific billing codes for these tools. Manufacturers must annually report pricing, distribution volume, and user data to Medicare, with penalties for noncompliance. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, digital therapeutic developers, and healthcare providers who prescribe these digital health tools.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicare coverage for digital therapeutics (apps for diabetes/mental health), expanding access to new healthcare tools and requiring payment rules/billing codes.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires Medicare coverage for digital therapeutics, establishing payment rules and billing codes to advance adoption of tech-based healthcare solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Telehealth

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in committee · United States · House Dec 12, 2025

HR 6687: DRIVER Act

The DRIVER Act requires car manufacturers and fleet owners to give vehicle owners free, real-time access to their vehicle's data (like location, driving habits, and sensor information) through standard ports or wireless connections. Owners can control how this data is used or shared with third parties (except for foreign adversaries), delete stored data, and cannot be charged for access or decryption. Manufacturers and fleet owners must provide clear opt-out options before selling owner data and are banned from selling data to specific countries like China, Russia, or Iran. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these rules under existing laws, and states cannot create conflicting laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates vehicle data access control, deletion rights, and prohibits charging for access, directly protecting consumer data privacy under technology policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 6289: Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act

This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to launch a nationwide online safety education program within 180 days of enactment, targeting minors under 17. It mandates collaboration with schools, parents, online platforms, and nonprofits to promote best practices for safe internet use, including protection from harmful content (like adult material or cybercrimes) and mental health risks. The FTC must submit annual reports to Congress for 10 years detailing these efforts. The law directly affects minors, parents/guardians, schools, and online platforms through these educational initiatives, without restricting content or imposing new regulations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates FTC-led safety education to protect minors from harmful content/cybercrimes, aligning with data privacy and cybersecurity goals through proactive consumer protection measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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passed · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 1770: Consumer Safety Technology Act

HR 1770, the Consumer Safety Technology Act, requires federal agencies to study and pilot new technologies to improve consumer safety. Title I mandates the Consumer Product Safety Commission to run a one-year AI pilot program to track product injuries, identify hazards, monitor recalls, and check imports, then report findings to Congress. Title II directs the Commerce Secretary to study how blockchain technology can prevent fraud in consumer transactions, including public input and a 6-month report to Congress. Title III requires the Federal Trade Commission to report on its enforcement actions against deceptive practices involving digital tokens and recommend improvements to protect consumers. The bill affects the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Commerce Department, and FTC, focusing on research and reporting rather than immediate regulatory changes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI and blockchain pilots for consumer safety and fraud prevention, enhancing cybersecurity and consumer protection through technology adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · United States · House Feb 24, 2025

HR 1541: Wireless Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act

This bill exempts certain wireless infrastructure projects from standard environmental and historic preservation reviews. It removes requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for projects involving mounting or modifying existing wireless facilities (like cell towers or antennas) that require federal approval. The exemption applies directly to wireless providers seeking permits for these installations, streamlining the approval process with state, local, or tribal governments. This change aims to accelerate deployment of wireless broadband infrastructure by reducing regulatory hurdles.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts wireless infrastructure from NEPA/NHPA environmental reviews, weakening regulatory oversight for projects involving cell towers/antennas.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines wireless infrastructure approvals, removing NEPA/NHPA barriers to accelerate broadband deployment and expand internet access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2025

HRES 111: Expressing support for blockchain technology and digital assets.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for blockchain technology and digital assets. It states the House believes the U.S. should prioritize understanding blockchain's potential, foster innovation to improve financial systems, avoid losing digital asset development to less regulated countries, and create tailored regulations that maintain investor protections while acknowledging the unique benefits of the technology. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or directly affect specific groups, but reflects congressional sentiment toward the digital asset industry.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly expresses House support for blockchain innovation, fosters development, avoids regulatory gaps, and promotes tailored regulations for digital assets while maintaining investor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · Senate May 7, 2025

S 1638: Protection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025

This bill blocks federal contractors from using DeepSeek or similar AI tools developed by High Flyer (or its affiliates) for government work, with limited security waivers allowed for national defense or research. It requires a detailed report within one year on national security risks from AI platforms based in or linked to "countries of concern" (as defined in existing law). The report must analyze data privacy threats, including how U.S. user data stored in these platforms could be accessed by foreign governments, used for propaganda, or exploited for economic espionage. The law aims to protect U.S. data security and prevent foreign adversaries from leveraging AI systems for strategic advantage.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts foreign AI tools to address data privacy threats, aligning with protective measures for user data per bill's focus on national security risks and privacy analysis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 2403: TELL Act

HR 2403, the TELL Act, requires companies operating websites or mobile apps that store U.S. user data in China to clearly disclose two specific facts to users: (1) that their data is stored in China, and (2) whether the Chinese Communist Party or Chinese state-owned entities have access to it. It prohibits companies from knowingly providing false information about these points. Violations would be enforced as unfair or deceptive practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, with the FTC handling enforcement and penalties. The law directly affects U.S. technology companies that collect user data and store it in China.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires disclosure of data storage locations and state access in China, enhancing user privacy protections via FTC enforcement for transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2025

HR 5358: TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act

This bill exempts certain broadband network projects from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It directly affects projects replacing "covered communications equipment" (like equipment deemed insecure under existing law) with secure alternatives. The key mechanism removes the need for federal environmental reviews or historic preservation assessments when replacing banned equipment. This streamlines the process for deploying secure broadband infrastructure by bypassing these review steps for qualifying projects. The policy change specifically targets faster replacement of insecure equipment without altering security standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts broadband projects from NEPA environmental reviews, removing regulatory barriers that protect ecosystems and natural resources during infrastructure deployment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves regulatory barriers for replacing insecure broadband equipment with secure alternatives, directly advancing cybersecurity infrastructure deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications

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