This bill requires data centers with a peak demand of at least 25 megawatts to submit annual reports on their energy and water consumption to state agencies or federal officials if states lack such programs. The reports must include monthly usage data, efficiency metrics, and five-year projections for future energy and water use, along with plans for improving efficiency. States can charge fees to cover data collection costs, and the federal government will publish annual aggregated reports on national data center impacts on energy and water resources.
The Cyber Ready Workforce Act authorizes federal grants to support the creation and expansion of cybersecurity apprenticeship programs. These grants are awarded to workforce intermediaries, which can include businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, to help employers and apprentices develop cybersecurity skills. At least 85 percent of the grant funds must be used for program development, employer partnerships, and support services like career counseling and assistance with transportation or housing costs for apprentices. The remaining funds can be used for outreach to recruit diverse participants, including women, minorities, and veterans, and to connect employers with training providers. The bill aims to create a skilled cybersecurity workforce through industry-recognized certifications and on-the-job training.
The Online Privacy Act of 2026 establishes a new Digital Privacy Agency to enforce comprehensive privacy protections for individuals in the United States. The bill requires companies that collect personal information to provide consumers with rights to access, correct, delete, and port their data, while also prohibiting discriminatory processing and requiring explicit consent for behavioral personalization. Covered entities must implement data minimization practices, maintain detailed access records for employees, and notify individuals of data breaches within 14 days. The legislation creates a new federal agency with enforcement powers, including the ability to issue cease-and-desist orders, impose civil penalties, and conduct investigations, while also transferring certain Federal Trade Commission privacy enforcement authorities to this new agency.
This joint resolution seeks to formally disapprove a rule from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that would have removed regulations on how large banks and credit unions handle consumer information requests. If passed, the resolution would prevent the Bureau from withdrawing the existing requirements that govern how these financial institutions respond to consumer data inquiries. The measure directly affects the Bureau's regulatory authority and the operational compliance obligations of large financial institutions. By invoking a statutory review process, the resolution aims to keep the current consumer protection standards in place without allowing the proposed regulatory changes to take effect.
This bill establishes a framework to protect American-owned closed-source AI models from unauthorized extraction by foreign entities, particularly those from China and Russia. It requires the Secretary of State to conduct assessments identifying which foreign entities are conducting model extraction attacks or facilitating them through fraudulent account networks, then publish a public list of these actors for up to five years. The legislation authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions on identified entities and their affiliates, while also creating mechanisms for industry coordination and sharing information about threats. Importantly, the bill distinguishes between legitimate AI research conducted under contractual terms and unauthorized extraction attempts that bypass access controls or violate usage agreements.
The Workforce Data Quality Initiative Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Labor to allocate between 5 and 10 percent of available funds to state agencies for creating workforce data systems. These grants are intended to help states build better tools for tracking employment outcomes, standardizing data across programs, and collecting real-time information on emerging skills and job roles. To receive funding, states must submit applications detailing their proposed activities, privacy protections, and plans for sustaining the systems after the grant ends. Priority funding is given to states that have not previously received such grants or to multi-state partnerships that can improve cross-border data sharing. The act also allows funds to support research, expand interoperable records for individuals, and improve staff capacity to use data for decision-making.
Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act This bill allows a pilot to present a digital copy of certain certificates (e.g., an airman certificate or a medical certificate) when required to present such documentation by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. Under current FAA regulations, a pilot must present for inspection a physical copy of an airman certificate and other paperwork upon a request from the FAA; a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer; or an authorized representative of the Transportation Security Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board. This bill allows a pilot to present a certificate such as an airman certificate or a medical certificate to an FAA inspector as (1) a physical certificate, or (2) a digital copy stored on an electronic device or cloud storage platform. The FAA must update current regulations to implement this change.
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a rule from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that would have removed a previous requirement about protecting sensitive consumer data. If passed, the resolution would keep in place the earlier rule that mandated stricter data security measures for financial institutions. The measure directly affects banks and other financial companies that handle sensitive consumer information. It uses a congressional veto process to block the agency's attempt to withdraw the data protection rule.
This bill requires the U.S. government to produce a detailed report on how effective current export controls on semiconductors and related technology are against China. The report must evaluate each control's impact on China's military, AI development, and semiconductor industry, while also analyzing effects on U.S. companies and global competitiveness. It mandates that the State Department, in coordination with Commerce and intelligence agencies, gather data from industry stakeholders and submit an unclassified version of the findings to Congress within 360 days. The document will also identify which controls are working, which are failing, and offer recommendations for improving enforcement and closing loopholes.
The GRACIE Act of 2026 provides federal grants to state child welfare agencies to help them record and keep all interviews related to child abuse and neglect investigations. Under this bill, states receiving funding must create or update rules requiring electronic recording of these interviews and store the recordings securely for at least five years. The funds can only be used for costs directly tied to conducting and retaining these recordings, including audio or video capture. States must also establish access controls that limit who can view the recordings while allowing caregivers to request copies in certain legal situations. The program is authorized for six years, with up to $30 million available annually from 2026 through 2031.
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