Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 3084: ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 establishes a federal program to expand high-speed broadband access in underserved rural areas. It provides grants, loans, and combinations of both to eligible entities (like tribes, local governments, or cooperatives) for building broadband infrastructure, requiring new service to offer at least 100 Mbps download and upload speeds. Projects must target areas where at least 75% of households lack such service, with priority for communities where 90% lack it, or those facing economic hardship, isolation, or high poverty. The bill authorizes $650 million annually from 2026-2030 for this program, with funds allocated to ensure projects meet minimum speed standards and serve the most underserved rural households.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands broadband access in rural areas, enabling digital educational resources and remote learning access for underserved communities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds broadband infrastructure expansion to 100+ Mbps in underserved areas, directly advancing internet access - a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3854: Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate on research using advanced computing techniques - like AI, high-performance computing, and data analytics - to improve weather and climate models. It establishes a competitive funding process for federal agencies, National Laboratories, and universities to develop new models and optimize computing infrastructure, with up to three "centers of excellence" at National Labs prioritizing existing NOAA partnerships and AI computing expertise. The bill mandates reports to Congress within two years detailing progress, collaboration effectiveness, and future opportunities, and expires after five years. It directly affects NOAA, DOE, National Laboratories, and academic institutions participating in the funded research.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DOE/NOAA collaboration to improve climate models via AI/computing research, advancing climate science for environmental protection85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AI and high-performance computing research for weather models, directly advancing tech infrastructure and data analytics capabilities as required by the bill.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 29, 2025

S 2938: Artificial Intelligence Risk Evaluation Act of 2025

This bill creates a federal program requiring developers of powerful AI systems (defined as those using over 10²⁶ computing operations) to participate in mandatory testing. The Department of Energy will evaluate these systems for risks like loss-of-control scenarios, weaponization threats, or harm to civil liberties, collecting data on safety and behavior. Developers must share code, training data, and technical details with the program and face $1 million daily fines for non-compliance. The program runs for seven years, producing annual reports and a final oversight plan for Congress to inform future regulations on advanced AI.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates risk evaluation and transparency for powerful AI to prevent harm to civil liberties, aligning with regulating tech for consumer protection and digital rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 2585: MAP for Broadband Funding Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to modernize the federal Broadband Funding Map, which tracks where broadband infrastructure funding is deployed. It mandates a notice of inquiry within 270 days to evaluate the map's data quality, public usability, and update timelines, and to consider expanding data categories. A separate GAO study (due within 180 days) will assess how well federal agencies maintain the map, coordinate data sharing, and whether improved use could save taxpayer money. The bill directly affects agencies receiving or managing broadband funding, including the FCC, NTIA, USDA, and others. It focuses on improving data transparency and efficiency in federal broadband spending, not on changing funding eligibility or amounts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyModernizes broadband funding map to improve infrastructure deployment, directly advancing internet access and digital connectivity95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 507: Promoting Precision Agriculture Act of 2025

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop voluntary, industry-led technical standards for precision agriculture equipment within two years, coordinating with NIST and the FCC. It requires these standards to address connectivity needs, cybersecurity, and compatibility across devices like GPS systems, soil sensors, and data management tools used by farmers. The bill also mandates a GAO assessment every two years for eight years to evaluate whether the standards are truly voluntary, developed with industry input, and successfully encourage wider adoption of precision agriculture. The policy affects farmers, ag-tech companies, and equipment manufacturers by creating common technical rules to reduce adoption barriers, without imposing new regulations or costs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity standards for precision agriculture tech devices, directly addressing cybersecurity as a required component per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Cybersecurity Telecommunications Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · House Feb 21, 2025

HR 1495: Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025

HR 1495, the Digital Economy Cybersecurity Advisory Act of 2025, establishes a new advisory board within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to provide recommendations on cybersecurity policies. The board, made up of 5-25 members with cybersecurity or supply chain expertise from government, private industry, and network operators, will advise the NTIA on securing internet networks while promoting economic growth and innovation. Key areas of focus include best practices for critical internet protocols like Border Gateway Protocol, secure supply chains, and removing barriers to trust and commercialization in digital networks. The board will operate for four years, with members serving without pay and reporting exclusively to the NTIA.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates NTIA advisory board to enhance cybersecurity policies, secure networks, and promote innovation - directly advancing cybersecurity protections without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Mar 25, 2025

HRES 248: Emphasizing the importance and power of distributed ledger technologies (DLT) to support democratic governance, human rights, internet freedom, and transparency.

HRES 248 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives urging federal agencies to explore distributed ledger technologies (DLT), such as blockchain, for specific government applications. It directs agencies like the State Department and USAID to investigate how DLT could strengthen democratic governance, enhance transparency in aid delivery, combat misinformation, and protect human rights - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution emphasizes DLT's potential for secure land registration, reducing aid intermediaries, and enabling decentralized platforms that support internet freedom. It calls for policy development to ensure responsible DLT use while promoting U.S. leadership in ethical technology frameworks.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill urges federal agencies to explore DLT for enhancing transparency, combating misinformation, and protecting human rights - aligning with technology policies supporting digital rights and cybersecurity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 1978: Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Defense Technology Hubs Program, requiring the Secretary of Defense to create 10 regional hubs by 2028. These hubs - formed by partnerships of universities, defense contractors, small businesses, and state/local governments - will focus on accelerating development of defense technologies like AI, quantum computing, and hypersonics. The program authorizes $375 million (2026-2030) for grants, with hubs using funds for research, prototyping, and workforce training while complying with security rules like export controls (ITAR/EAR) and cybersecurity standards. It prioritizes geographic diversity and aims to strengthen collaboration between defense agencies, industry, and academic institutions to boost national security innovation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds $375M for defense tech hubs (AI, quantum, hypersonics) via university/industry partnerships to accelerate R&D and workforce training in defense technologies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 31, 2025

S 1208: Privacy Act Modernization Act of 2025

This bill modernizes the 1974 Privacy Act by updating definitions of key terms like "personally identifiable information" and "system of records" to better reflect current data practices. It strengthens protections by requiring agencies to use only the minimum necessary personal data for disclosures, disclose legal authorities for data uses, and prohibit adverse actions based on automated matching. The bill adds civil remedies including minimum $1,000 damages for violations and increases criminal penalties for misuse (e.g., up to $250,000 fines or 10 years imprisonment for commercial misuse). These changes directly affect federal agencies handling personal data and apply to all data collection, use, and disclosure activities governed by the Privacy Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits adverse actions based on automated matching, aligning with civil rights protection and reducing biased data use in criminal justice systems.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyModernizes data privacy protections, requiring minimal data use and adding civil remedies for violations, directly strengthening consumer data security under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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in committee · United States · House Jan 7, 2025

HR 238: Healthy Technology Act of 2025

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to legally prescribe drugs under specific conditions. It requires AI systems to be both authorized by state law and approved by the FDA under sections 510(k), 513, 515, or 564. The law directly affects healthcare AI developers, providers, and patients by establishing a regulatory framework for AI-driven drug prescriptions. Key provisions define AI as a "practitioner" for prescription purposes only when meeting these two federal and state requirements. This creates a clear pathway for AI to legally prescribe drugs within existing FDA and state oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables AI-driven drug prescriptions under FDA/state approval, expanding access to innovative healthcare delivery methods and establishing regulatory framework for AI in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly enables AI to legally prescribe drugs under FDA/state approval, creating a regulatory framework to advance AI in healthcare, supporting technology advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence Emerging Technology

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