Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4438: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026 directs the Federal Communications Commission to create two grant programs for states to improve access to the Lifeline broadband subsidy. The first program provides funding to help states inform low-income residents who qualify for the Lifeline benefit but are not yet enrolled about how to apply and what the program offers. The second program funds states to connect their local benefit databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, ensuring that receipt of other government assistance is properly recorded for eligibility checks. To receive these grants, states must submit detailed plans outlining their outreach strategies and expected reach, with the FCC prioritizing areas with more eligible individuals and diverse geographic regions. The bill also requires the FCC to report on the programs' effectiveness to Congress within three years and authorizes funding for the first five fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates federal grant programs to fund state efforts in expanding broadband access for low-income residents, directly increasing government spending on essential services.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates grant programs to expand broadband access and improve Lifeline subsidy enrollment for low-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8576: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

This bill creates a new grant program administered by the Federal Communications Commission to help states reach low-income individuals who qualify for the Lifeline broadband subsidy but have not yet signed up. Under the first provision, states can apply for funding to run outreach campaigns that inform these people about their eligibility and guide them through the application process, often by partnering with local community organizations. The second provision provides separate grants to states to connect their existing databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, ensuring that benefits from programs like SNAP are automatically recognized when determining who qualifies for free internet services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates grants to expand broadband access to low-income individuals, directly promoting digital equity and internet access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House May 15, 2026

HR 8866: Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026

The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding and updates rules for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program, which supports economic development in specific geographic areas. The bill defines eligible organizations as state or nonprofit groups that provide direct financing, commercialization services, and entrepreneurial support to local businesses. It mandates that the federal government cover up to 90 percent of project costs and requires outreach to rural communities and areas facing economic hardship. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 and allows the use of previously unspent funds to continue the program.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill extends funding and updates rules for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program, directly advancing technology infrastructure and economic development.85% confidence

Tags Economic Development Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House May 7, 2026

HR 8710: National Defense Data Resilience Act

The National Defense Data Resilience Act requires the Department of Defense to classify its data into three categories based on the severity of potential impacts from loss or destruction. Under this bill, the Defense Secretary must establish specific timelines for recovering critical data within 180 days and other data types within 270 days, while also developing a comprehensive strategy to meet these goals. The legislation mandates the implementation of secure backup systems, continuous monitoring for threats, and regular simulated cyberattack exercises to ensure the military can restore essential functions quickly. Additionally, the act restricts the adoption of new data recovery technologies unless they meet strict security standards and are included in an official inventory of approved tools.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity and data resilience by mandating secure backups and recovery timelines for DoD data.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2026

S 4586: Blocking CCP Spy Tech Act of 2026

The Blocking CCP Spy Tech Act of 2026 directs U.S. national security agencies to evaluate whether specific communications equipment and services from seven Chinese companies pose a risk to national security. If these agencies fail to make a determination within a year or find the technology risky, the Federal Communications Commission must add the equipment to a banned list that prevents U.S. telecom providers from using it. The law also requires the Secretary of Defense to decide if these same entities should be classified as Chinese military companies operating in the United States. This process directly affects telecommunications companies and federal agencies responsible for maintaining secure communication networks.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts access to specific communications technologies by mandating bans on equipment deemed risky, limiting the availability of certain tech services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4557: Outage Refund Protection Act

The Outage Refund Protection Act requires large cable, satellite, internet, and telephone providers to automatically credit customers' bills when service outages last four hours or longer. These credits are calculated as one-thirtieth of the monthly rate for each day of unavailability, and any excess amount must be refunded within 30 days if the customer cancels their service. The bill also mandates that providers improve customer service by extending accessibility requirements, recording support calls, and eliminating fees for reaching a representative, while prohibiting refunds for pre-planned maintenance that customers were notified about in advance.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates refunds for service outages and improves customer service accessibility, protecting consumers from unreliable tech providers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4555: GAME Act of 2026

The GAME Act of 2026 prohibits large digital advertising platforms from showing targeted ads for sports gambling to anyone under 18 years old. This ban takes effect one year after the law is passed and applies to major social media sites, search engines, and ad networks that have over 100 million monthly users. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcing the rule, with repeated violations potentially leading to criminal fines of up to $100,000 per ad instance. The legislation defines specific types of data used for targeting, such as precise location tracking and unique device identifiers, while excluding simple context-based ads or those requested directly by users.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates tech platforms to protect minors from targeted gambling ads, enhancing consumer protection and digital safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · United States · House May 12, 2026

HR 8743: SMART Kids Act

The SMART Kids Act directs the Surgeon General to create evidence-based guidelines on daily screen time limits for children across six specific age groups. To ensure objectivity, the Surgeon General must work with an independent expert panel that has no financial conflicts of interest before finalizing these recommendations. Once completed, the guidelines will be published online and submitted to Congress within one year of the law's enactment. This legislation does not impose new legal restrictions on families but instead establishes a federal process for generating health advice on device usage.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates screen time limits for children, effectively restricting usage of technology devices.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8479: Protecting Consumers from Deceptive AI Act

This bill, known as the Protecting Consumers from Deceptive AI Act, aims to combat the spread of misleading deepfakes by requiring clear labeling for content created or significantly altered by artificial intelligence. It mandates that developers of AI applications embed machine-readable watermarks and metadata into audio and visual files to identify their AI origins, while also requiring online platforms to display this information to users. To support these efforts, the legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to form task forces that will develop technical standards for content verification and establish guidelines for privacy and interoperability. Enforcement of these labeling requirements will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission, which can penalize violations as unfair or deceptive practices and may approve self-regulatory guidelines to help companies achieve compliance.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI labeling and watermarks to protect consumers from deceptive content, enhancing digital safety and privacy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7558: AIMS Act of 2025

The AIMS Act of 2025 directs the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to jointly adopt and use interoperable software for sharing medical images and related data across their respective facilities and authorized external providers. This legislation requires the two agencies to create a detailed plan within 180 days that outlines a timeline, projected costs, and the selection of specific technology solutions capable of enabling real-time data exchange between different electronic health record systems. The mandated technology must support mobile access, allow patients to manage their own health data, and adhere to established security and accessibility standards to reduce delays caused by physical media transfers. Additionally, the bill establishes a reporting framework where the agencies must regularly update Congress on their progress and provide metrics on cost and time savings achieved through these interoperability efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates interoperable software to improve data exchange and patient access to medical records across Defense and VA facilities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes interoperable software and real-time data exchange, advancing technology adoption in healthcare systems.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill improves veteran healthcare by enabling interoperable medical data sharing between Defense and VA, enhancing care coordination.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

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