Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 3563: A bill to require the Secretary of Defense assess and, as appropriate, implement open technical standards for digital content provenance, and for other purposes.

S 3563 requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a roadmap by June 2026 for adopting open technical standards to verify the origin and history of digital media (like photos or videos) released by the Department of Defense, military branches, and field activities. The roadmap must assess existing standards, outline processes for embedding and verifying content credentials, identify acquisition approaches, and establish metrics for evaluating these technologies. It also mandates a congressional briefing by July 2026 on feasibility, stakeholder input, and next steps. This bill directly affects how the DoD handles public digital content to ensure authenticity. The focus is on creating verifiable digital content provenance systems, not on mandating specific technologies or outcomes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires open standards for verifying digital media provenance to enhance cybersecurity and combat misinformation, aligning with cybersecurity enhancement indicators.92% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Apr 21, 2025

HR 2980: Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2025

HR 2980 establishes a new Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program under the Department of Energy to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying cybersecurity for energy infrastructure. The program provides competitive grants for scholarships, fellowships, and research at colleges and universities, including hands-on training at national labs and utility companies. It specifically aims to increase participation from historically Black colleges, Tribal Colleges, and minority-serving institutions. The bill directly affects advanced students and researchers in cybersecurity and energy fields, focusing on building workforce capacity through education and practical experience.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cybersecurity scholarships/research at universities, specifically increasing access for HBCUs and Tribal Colleges in higher education.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds cybersecurity research for energy infrastructure, strengthening security of critical systems and supporting workforce development in energy sector protection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes a cybersecurity research program funding graduate studies in energy infrastructure security, directly enhancing cybersecurity capabilities through grants and training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Cybersecurity

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passed · United States · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 2474: Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act

Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s capability to incorporate low-orbit satellites in broadband projects. Specifically, the study must review and analyze the capacity and cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband service for business purposes and economic development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly studies satellite broadband expansion to improve internet access in Appalachia, directly advancing technology infrastructure access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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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 · House Feb 9, 2026

HR 7445: Evergreen Community Safety Act of 2026

HR 7445, the Evergreen Community Safety Act of 2026, requires large electronic communication service providers (with 1 million+ users) to disclose customer communications or records to law enforcement within 72 hours of a court order. Courts may extend this deadline in 7-day increments for complex or voluminous data requests. The bill also shortens the deadline for providers to challenge disclosure orders to 48 hours and allows individuals harmed by non-compliance to sue for damages and injunctive relief. This directly affects major tech companies and internet service providers meeting the user threshold, streamlining but tightening data disclosure processes for law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines law enforcement access to electronic communications data via court orders, strengthening law enforcement operations within criminal justice.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates rapid data disclosure to law enforcement, shortens challenge window, weakens privacy protections for users.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection

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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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