This bill converts Executive Order 14412 into permanent federal law, giving it the same legal weight as a statute. It directly affects government agencies and private entities that must comply with the order's cybersecurity and cryptographic standards. By codifying the executive order, the legislation ensures that the nation's defenses against advanced cryptographic attacks remain in effect regardless of future changes in administration. The primary mechanism is the formal elevation of existing administrative directives to the status of binding legislation.
This bill aims to reform the Securities and Exchange Commission by requiring the agency to analyze the costs and benefits of new regulations before issuing them and to conduct regular reviews of their impact. It mandates that the SEC Chairman testify to Congress every six months on the Commission's activities and requires an independent audit of the agency's cybersecurity and information technology systems. Additionally, the legislation transfers the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to the SEC, establishes a minimum 60-day public comment period for new rules, and clarifies how penalties are calculated for multiple violations. The bill also directs the SEC to streamline its internal organization and consolidate regional offices to improve efficiency.
The State and Local Election Security Act of 2026 establishes a new federal grant program to assist states and local governments in improving election administration and security. Under this program, eligible states receive funding based on their voting age population to modernize election infrastructure and prepare for security threats, with a requirement that states pass at least 50% of the funds to local election officials. The legislation also authorizes $5 billion in total funding over three years and directs $150 million to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to support the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of eligible territories for election funding to include the Northern Mariana Islands and other territories with congressional delegates.
The Precision Agriculture Cybersecurity Act directs federal agencies to assess cybersecurity risks facing modern farming technologies, such as sensors and data management systems. Specifically, it requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Homeland Security to produce a public report within a year that evaluates current cyber threats, identifies planning gaps, and reviews existing funding and staff resources. The bill also mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office to examine how well different federal departments are coordinating their cybersecurity efforts in this sector. These reports will be shared with relevant congressional committees to inform future policy decisions regarding the protection of agricultural technology.
The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026 establishes a new framework for the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and deploy autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence capabilities. It requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain continuous human oversight, ensuring that operators can intervene to stop systems acting illegally or unexpectedly. The bill mandates rigorous testing, cybersecurity reviews, and legal assessments before these technologies are prototyped or fielded, while also creating a working group to advise on safety standards. Specific prohibitions prevent the use of AI for nuclear launch decisions or warrantless surveillance of individuals within the United States. Additionally, the act defines different risk levels for these systems and requires annual reports to Congress on their administration.
The Web of Biological Data Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to create a centralized online platform called the Web of Biological Data to help researchers access and analyze biological information using advanced tools like artificial intelligence. This system will serve as a single entry point for federally funded data, featuring strict cybersecurity measures and tiered access controls to protect sensitive information. The bill establishes a phased rollout, beginning with a pilot version within two years that focuses on specific data types and user-friendly design, followed by a full expansion five years later that includes broader data compatibility and bioinformatic tools. To ensure the project's success, the legislation creates an advisory board with members from industry, academia, and government, and mandates regular reports to Congress on progress and security assessments. Funding is authorized to support the initial development, testing, and long-term maintenance of the platform while preserving existing privacy and ethical protections for biological data.
The Combat Emerging Threats to Critical Infrastructure Act of 2026 requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director to update security plans for 16 critical infrastructure sectors within one year of the law's enactment. These updated plans must specifically address risks posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and digitally manipulated media, as well as cloud-based architecture and robotics. The legislation also mandates that these plans be reassessed and revised at least once every two years. Finally, the Director must share the completed and updated plans with various congressional committees relevant to each specific sector.
This bill creates a new federal Department of Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence led by a Secretary appointed by the President. The department's main goal is to develop a unified national strategy for using artificial intelligence across all government agencies, including setting safety standards and managing research funding. It also aims to improve AI literacy in schools, protect workers from job displacement, and establish systems for reporting cybersecurity incidents related to AI. Additionally, the bill requires a government report within 180 days to assess current AI regulations and recommend updates to federal laws regarding privacy, safety, and misinformation.
The Guaranteeing Universal Access to Cybersecurity Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to provide $50 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027 to fund free cybersecurity services for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Under this bill, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center must offer no-cost membership and access to threat intelligence and incident response support to all eligible entities that apply, with a specific focus on those lacking dedicated staff or operating on limited budgets. The legislation also requires the creation of a plan to identify and reach out to previously excluded or at-risk organizations to encourage their participation in the center's network. Additionally, the operator of the center must submit annual reports to Congress detailing membership levels, threat intelligence activities, and the effectiveness of outreach efforts to under-resourced entities.
The Hands Off Elections Act of 2026 prohibits federal employees from participating in or directing others to participate in the administration of federal elections, unless they are already authorized by existing laws such as the Help America Vote Act. This restriction applies to all executive agencies except the United States Postal Service, but it explicitly allows federal workers to assist with cybersecurity measures to protect voting systems. If a state law enforcement officer believes a federal employee has violated these rules, they can file a lawsuit in federal court to stop the behavior. The bill aims to separate federal agency staff from election management duties while preserving their ability to safeguard election technology.
