The Open Courts Act of 2026 creates a single, modernized online system to store and display public records for most federal courts in the United States. This centralized platform will automatically make court documents, audio recordings, and opinions available to the public immediately upon filing, while also offering features like searchable databases, email notifications for case updates, and permanent links for easy access. To help fund the development and maintenance of this new system, the bill introduces a fee structure that charges higher rates for high-volume users and government agencies while keeping basic access free for everyone. Additionally, the law sets strict standards for digital accessibility, cybersecurity, and data privacy, and requires regular audits to ensure the system meets user needs and remains secure.
The Affordable Innovation for the Grid Act directs the Department of Energy to study how artificial intelligence and high-performance computing can improve the reliability and efficiency of the national power grid. This assessment will specifically examine how these technologies can speed up the process of connecting new power sources to the grid and identify any technical or cybersecurity barriers to their use. Within one year of passing, the Department of Energy must submit a report to Congress outlining its findings and offering recommendations to overcome identified limitations and encourage wider adoption of these tools. The bill primarily affects federal agencies responsible for energy oversight and the electric power industry, aiming to gather data rather than immediately changing laws.
The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 establishes a working group to evaluate how the United States can support Taiwan in producing secure, China-independent drone components. This initiative aims to address security risks posed by Chinese-sourced parts in commercial drones by facilitating public-private partnerships and streamlining certification processes for Taiwanese manufacturers. The bill also creates a cooperative framework to help regional allies acquire these secure drones and includes provisions for fast-tracking export controls and cybersecurity reviews for qualified Taiwanese suppliers. While the legislation authorizes funding for these efforts, it explicitly states that it does not change the official U.S. position on Taiwan's international status.
The U.S. Tech PATH Act establishes a new program within the Department of State to help foreign governments purchase trusted American cyber and digital technologies, aiming to reduce reliance on suppliers from countries of concern like China. This initiative creates a dedicated office and funding stream to guide foreign partners through procurement hurdles, offering assistance with logistics, financing, and capacity building for items such as software, hardware, and artificial intelligence tools. To ensure security, the bill requires strict vetting of foreign partners to prevent human rights abuses and mandates risk assessments to stop technology misuse or diversion. The program is designed to operate alongside private market competition rather than replacing it, with a sunset provision that ends its authority eight years after enactment.
The State and Local Public Sector Innovation Act creates a grant program to help state and local governments upgrade their technology systems to improve security and service efficiency. Funded by $500 million over four years, the program distributes money equally based on population and specific needs, with at least 70% of funds directed directly to local political subdivisions. Recipients can use the money for tasks such as buying new technology, updating cybersecurity, hiring staff, and ensuring compliance with data privacy and post-quantum cryptography standards. The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information will oversee the program, conduct surveys to assess state needs, and provide technical guidance on data security and artificial intelligence usage.
This bill establishes a joint interagency task force to coordinate efforts against cyber threats from Chinese state-sponsored actors, specifically targeting the Volt Typhoon group. Led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and including the FBI and relevant sector agencies, the task force will analyze risks, share intelligence, and develop strategies to protect critical infrastructure. Members of the task force must be subject matter experts in cybersecurity and will submit detailed reports to Congress every year for five years, outlining findings and recommendations on how to better defend against these threats. The legislation also requires the task force to create an awareness campaign to help critical infrastructure owners understand available federal security resources.
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.
The Foreign Service Modernization Act aims to reform the U.S. diplomatic workforce by updating recruitment, training, and management policies. It requires the State Department to recruit more broadly from community colleges and technical schools, establish a new Veterans and Foreign Service Pathway Program, and create a pilot Diplomatic Reserve Corps to handle crises. The bill also mandates comprehensive training on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and crisis leadership, while strengthening protections for officers pursuing external education and clarifying rules for promotions and assignments.
The Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to identify data centers that should be classified as critical infrastructure within 180 days of enactment. This directive requires the agency to evaluate the security of power and water supplies connected to these facilities and assess the potential impact of their locations near residential communities. Following this assessment, the Department must submit a strategy to Congress outlining how to defend these sites from breaches and protect nearby neighborhoods. The law applies to federal agencies responsible for cybersecurity and infrastructure security, specifically focusing on data centers as defined by existing energy legislation.
The Maritime Cybersecurity Act requires owners and operators of covered maritime facilities to annually report on the software and hardware they use, specifically focusing on equipment connected to the internet or manufactured by foreign entities of concern. Under this bill, the Secretary of Transportation must conduct assessments of these systems to identify security weaknesses, even if doing so violates existing contracts or requires bypassing consent from facility owners. The legislation mandates that facilities generally cannot use unassessed foreign technology unless the Secretary grants a waiver based on a determination that the commercial benefits outweigh the low national security risks. Additionally, the Act establishes a process for the government to share sensitive cybersecurity findings with relevant federal partners while keeping the specific details confidential from the public.
