Technology

The AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026 establishes a National Science Foundation program to award cash prizes for solving specific, measurable AI research challenges across 15 priority areas like national security, health, energy, and cancer breakthroughs. It requires the NSF Director to create prize competitions with minimum $1 million awards per winner (including a mandatory $10 million cancer-focused competition), targeting U.S.-based entities or citizens. Key mechanisms include publishing clear problem statements and success metrics on Challenge.gov, consulting public and federal agencies on challenge selection, and reporting annual results to Congress. The bill directly affects U.S. researchers, companies, and organizations developing AI solutions for federally identified challenges.

SRES 132 is a Senate resolution designating March 24, 2025, as "National Women of Color in Tech Day." It recognizes the contributions of women of color in technology and highlights ongoing challenges they face in the tech industry, including underrepresentation and systemic barriers. The resolution urges public observance of the day, commits the Senate to supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives in tech, and calls for strengthening STEM education access through partnerships with minority-serving institutions. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of diversity's importance in the tech workforce.

HRES 963 is a non-binding House resolution condemning antisemitism amplified by AI platforms and urging tech companies to implement safeguards. It directly affects AI developers and social media companies by requiring them to adopt transparent safety measures, prevent algorithmic amplification of antisemitic content, and publicly report on antisemitic content prevalence and removal efforts. Key provisions include promoting "safety-by-design" standards, enabling researcher access to study antisemitic content dynamics, and supporting digital literacy programs to counter AI-generated hate. The resolution emphasizes aligning these efforts with constitutional protections while recognizing stakeholders working to combat antisemitism online.

Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to (1) assess cybersecurity threats in the agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector, and (2) conduct annual crisis simulation exercises for food-related emergencies or disruptions. The agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector includes (1) any activity relating to the production, processing, distribution, storage, transportation, consumption, or disposal of agricultural or food products; and (2) any entity involved in any of these activities. Specifically, USDA, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, must conduct a risk assessment every two years on the cybersecurity threats to, and security vulnerabilities in, this sector. The risk assessment must include any recommendations for federal legislative or administrative actions to address related threats and vulnerabilities. USDA must also conduct an annual simulation exercise relating to a food-related emergency or disruption in coordination with DHS, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Among other things, the exercise must (1) involve a realistic and plausible scenario that simulates a food-related emergency or disruption that affects multiple sectors and jurisdictions, and (2) incorporate input from experts and stakeholders from various disciplines and sectors (e.g., agriculture, public health, emergency management, transportation, and energy).  USDA, in consultation with DHS, HHS, and ODNI, must submit a report to Congress on each simulation exercise, including recommendations to enhance the cybersecurity and resilience of the agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector.

HR 7696 establishes a federal grant program to fund secure AI testbeds for simulating large-scale cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like power grids. The bill directs DHS and CISA to award grants from 2026-2030 to eligible entities - including universities, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, national labs, and their consortia - to develop safe AI systems for grid cybersecurity training. It authorizes $100 million in funding over five years and requires annual reports to Congress on emerging threats and progress. This directly affects institutions and labs conducting AI research for grid security, creating a structured federal initiative to strengthen cyber defenses through practical testing.

This bill streamlines the process for broadband companies to install equipment near railroad infrastructure. It requires companies to notify railroads about planned work in shared areas (like street crossings), sets clear 15-30 day scheduling windows, and prohibits railroads from charging fees for public right-of-way work. For installations directly on railroad tracks, companies must pay railroads only for actual, documented costs. The Federal Communications Commission handles disputes over fees or delays, ensuring railroad safety remains prioritized. This directly affects broadband providers and railroad operators nationwide.

HR 6647, the Drone Safety Enhancement Act, requires NASA to collaborate with the FAA and other agencies on research into drone technology and advanced air mobility systems. It mandates NASA to brief Congress within 18 months on progress related to unmanned aircraft systems, traffic management (UTM), and autonomous capabilities. The bill directly affects NASA, the FAA, and industry stakeholders developing urban/regional air mobility systems using drones or autonomous aircraft. It focuses on research coordination rather than imposing new regulations, defining terms like "urban air mobility" (e.g., passenger drones under 1,320 lbs) and "regional air mobility" (e.g., larger cargo drones).

Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to study and report on any barriers to and staffing needs for completing timely reviews of requests for communications use authorizations. (These are requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, or other authorizations to locate or modify a transmitting device, support structure, or other communications facility on public lands or National Forest System land.)

Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to (1) assess cybersecurity threats in the agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector, and (2) conduct annual crisis simulation exercises for food-related emergencies or disruptions. The agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector includes (1) any activity relating to the production, processing, distribution, storage, transportation, consumption, or disposal of agricultural or food products; and (2) any entity involved in any of these activities. Specifically, USDA must conduct a risk assessment every two years on the cybersecurity threats to, and security vulnerabilities in, this sector. The risk assessment must include any recommendations for federal legislative or administrative actions to address related threats and vulnerabilities. USDA must also conduct an annual simulation exercise relating to a food-related emergency or disruption in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Among other things, the exercise must (1) involve a realistic and plausible scenario that simulates a food-related emergency or disruption that affects multiple sectors and jurisdictions, and (2) incorporate input from experts and stakeholders from various disciplines and sectors (e.g., agriculture, public health, emergency management, transportation, and energy).  USDA, in consultation with DHS, HHS, and ODNI, must submit a report to Congress on each simulation exercise, including recommendations to enhance the cybersecurity and resilience of the agriculture and food critical infrastructure sector.

The Roadway Safety Modernization Act of 2025 requires states to integrate proven safety tools like predictive analytics and telematics into highway safety planning and freight programs. It directs state highway agencies to use these technologies to identify high-risk road segments, evaluate crash causes, and improve safety project effectiveness. The bill also mandates the Transportation Department to issue guidance on data privacy, tool validation, and transparency for these safety technologies. This directly affects state transportation departments and freight operators who must adopt these data-driven approaches in their safety planning under federal highway programs.