Technology

in committee · United States · Senate May 7, 2025

S 1634: ACCESS Act of 2025

The ACCESS Act of 2025 requires major social media and messaging platforms (defined as services with over 100 million U.S. users that monetize user data) to enable users to easily transfer their data to competing services and ensure their platforms can interoperate with rival services. It mandates that large platforms provide secure, machine-readable data portability and maintain transparent interfaces for competitors to connect with users. The law also establishes rules for third-party agents managing user accounts and prohibits platforms from using data from competitors for commercial gain. Enforcement falls to the Federal Trade Commission, with penalties for violations treated as unfair business practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data portability and interoperability for large platforms, enhancing user control over data and promoting competition - directly advancing data privacy and digital rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 323: PLAN for Broadband Act

The PLAN for Broadband Act requires federal agencies to create a coordinated strategy to streamline broadband programs across government, aiming to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency in deploying high-speed internet. It mandates the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to develop a National Strategy within one year of enactment, followed by an Implementation Plan within 120 days, that identifies gaps in current programs and establishes common goals for agencies like the FCC, USDA, and Department of Transportation. The strategy must use the Deployment Locations Map to track broadband coverage, prevent funding for already-served areas, and establish common data standards for reporting on broadband projects. The bill also sets a $5 million minimum project cost threshold for certain broadband infrastructure and requires agencies to track processing times for applications to reduce delays.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates coordinated strategy to streamline broadband deployment, directly advancing high-speed internet access as a core technology policy goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Jan 9, 2025

HR 278: BROADBAND Leadership Act

HR 278, the BROADBAND Leadership Act, streamlines the process for broadband providers to install facilities by setting strict deadlines for local government approvals. It requires state and local governments to approve or deny requests within 90 days (for existing infrastructure) or 150 days (for new projects), with requests deemed approved if deadlines pass. The bill prohibits discrimination based on technology or service type, mandates written decisions with evidence, and requires fees to be neutral, cost-based, and publicly disclosed. It preserves state authority for universal service, public safety, and right-of-way management, while ensuring broadband deployment isn’t delayed by local bureaucracy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines broadband deployment via strict approval deadlines, directly expanding internet access infrastructure without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2025

HJRES 40: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Defense relating to "Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program".

HJRES 40 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a Department of Defense rule about the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program. It directs Congress to reject the specific rule (published October 15, 2024) that would have required defense contractors to meet new cybersecurity standards under the CMMC framework. If passed, this resolution would stop the rule from taking effect, directly affecting defense contractors who would have otherwise needed to comply with the CMMC requirements. The resolution uses a standard procedural mechanism under federal law to nullify the rule without creating new policy.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBlocks implementation of CMMC cybersecurity standards for defense contractors, reducing required cybersecurity measures under the rule.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 20, 2025

S 674: Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act

The Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act (S 674) excludes specific federal and state broadband grants from being counted as taxable income for recipients. It applies to grants from programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) and similar state/local initiatives funded by federal broadband grants. The law prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses covered by the excluded grant and reducing the property’s cost basis by the grant amount. This directly affects broadband providers and local governments receiving these grants, making the funds tax-free without allowing additional tax deductions for the same spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes broadband grants from taxable income, providing tax relief to recipients and preventing double taxation, thus supporting fiscal management of grant funds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExcludes broadband grants from taxable income, enabling schools to use full grant funds for digital infrastructure and access, directly supporting educational technology access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExcludes broadband grants from taxable income to facilitate infrastructure deployment under federal broadband programs, directly expanding internet access as a core technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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passed · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 1709: Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act

HR 1709, the "Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act," requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to produce a report within one year of enactment examining cybersecurity vulnerabilities in mobile service networks and devices. The report must assess how mobile providers address security risks, customer awareness of cybersecurity when purchasing services, encryption practices, barriers to adopting stronger security measures, and the prevalence of surveillance technologies like cell site simulators. It specifically excludes 5G networks and focuses on real-world vulnerabilities affecting U.S. mobile networks and devices used by consumers, businesses, and government agencies. The study aims to inform future policy by gathering data from providers, industry experts, and government agencies, without mandating immediate changes to security standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates report on mobile network cybersecurity vulnerabilities and encryption practices to enhance security measures, aligning with cybersecurity enhancement indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 3570: Data Care Act of 2025

The Data Care Act of 2025 requires online service providers (like social media platforms or apps that collect user data) to securely handle "individual identifying data," especially sensitive information like health details, biometrics, financial data, or precise location. It imposes three key duties: (1) reasonably securing data from breaches, (2) not misusing data to harm users or benefit themselves, and (3) restricting data sharing to third parties only with strict confidentiality contracts. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce these rules through penalties for violations, with civil fines calculated based on the number of affected users or days of noncompliance. The law directly affects major digital platforms collecting user data and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects health data privacy and security, safeguarding sensitive patient information from misuse by online service providers.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure handling of sensitive data, prohibits misuse, restricts third-party sharing - directly protects user privacy and enhances data security per bill's core duties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

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passed · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 7266: Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act

HR 7266 establishes the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Grant Program, providing $250 million (2026-2030) to help specific electric utilities improve cybersecurity. It directly affects rural electric cooperatives, municipally owned utilities, and small investor-owned utilities (under 4 million MWh/year) by offering grants and technical assistance for advanced cybersecurity technologies. Key provisions include prioritizing funding for entities with limited resources or critical infrastructure, requiring deployment of tools to protect against cyberattacks, and shielding shared cybersecurity information from public disclosure requests. The program aims to strengthen defenses across smaller utility systems without mandating new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides $250M cybersecurity grants to rural/municipal utilities, directly protecting energy infrastructure and enhancing grid security for consumers.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides $250M grants for cybersecurity upgrades at rural utilities, directly enhancing security infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2025

HR 1020: BOOST Act

HR 1020 (BOOST Act) creates a tax credit for homeowners in rural unserved areas to improve broadband access. It allows a 75% credit (up to $400) for purchasing signal boosters, satellite customer equipment, or ground stations used in a primary residence. The credit applies only once per household and expires after 2029, targeting areas eligible for FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. This directly affects individual homeowners in designated rural broadband gaps seeking to enhance their internet connectivity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 75% tax credit (up to $400) for rural homeowners to improve broadband access, offering direct tax relief to lower-income households in designated areas.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirectly expands rural broadband access through tax credits for signal boosters and equipment, targeting unserved areas per FCC criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate May 12, 2025

S 1713: Agriculture Innovation Act of 2025

This bill creates a voluntary data collection system for farmers to share field-level information on conservation practices and farming methods. It requires the USDA to build a secure data center collecting anonymized farm data on soil health, crop yields, and ecosystem impacts - voluntarily provided by producers - to analyze how practices affect productivity and environmental outcomes. The data will be used to improve USDA programs and provide farmers with internet-based tools showing how specific practices boost yields and sustainability. Strong privacy safeguards prevent disclosure of individual producer data, ensuring compliance with existing privacy laws. The bill does not mandate data sharing or require farmers to adopt new practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentVoluntary data collection on conservation practices and ecosystem impacts to improve environmental outcomes via USDA tools, aligning with conservation and soil health goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes secure data center with anonymized farm data, aligning with data privacy protection indicators for technology policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Agriculture

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