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.
This bill, known as the Kids Off Social Media Act, restricts social media platforms from allowing users under 13 to create accounts and requires them to delete existing accounts for children they identify. It also limits how platforms use personal data to recommend content to children and teens, prohibiting personalized algorithms except for basic factors like device type and location. The second part of the bill updates existing federal rules to require schools receiving discounted internet subsidies to block student access to social media platforms and submit annual compliance certifications. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general are authorized to enforce these provisions through civil actions and penalties.
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 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 establishes a new research program within NOAA to improve global ocean monitoring and observing systems. It directs the agency to develop sustained data collection capabilities, including the One-Argo system, while supporting research on ocean health, climate, and extreme weather forecasting. The legislation also mandates the integration of artificial intelligence and cloud technologies to optimize data use, requires annual reviews of program activities, and allows for competitive grants to academic and private institutions for ocean research projects.
The Security And Freedom Enhancement Act of 2026, known as the SAFE Act, introduces new rules for how U.S. intelligence agencies collect and use information about Americans and people in the United States. The bill requires the FBI to conduct regular audits of its data queries, obtain additional approvals before searching for information about elected officials and judges, and create detailed records of all searches. It also limits when government agencies can access Americans' communications without a warrant and restricts intelligence agencies from purchasing personal data from private companies about people in the United States. The law increases transparency by requiring more detailed reports to Congress and the public about surveillance activities, and it expands the role of independent reviewers in court proceedings related to intelligence gathering.
This bill establishes a comprehensive federal framework for consumer data privacy and security, creating a uniform set of rules that would preempt most state privacy laws. It requires businesses that collect personal data to obtain consent from individuals before gathering or processing their information, with stricter requirements for sensitive data like health records and financial details. Covered entities must provide clear privacy policies, allow individuals to access, correct, or delete their data, and implement security programs to protect information from unauthorized access. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce these rules and has authority to impose civil penalties on violators, while also receiving additional funding to carry out enforcement duties.
This bill, titled the Security and Freedom Enhancement Act of 2026, amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to reform how intelligence agencies collect and use information about Americans. It directly affects the FBI, intelligence agencies, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by requiring stricter rules on searching communications of U.S. persons and limiting access to data about Americans located in the United States. Key provisions include mandatory audits of FBI queries, new approval requirements for searching sensitive individuals like elected officials, expanded reporting to Congress, and restrictions on purchasing personal data from data brokers. The bill also strengthens oversight by requiring the Inspector General to conduct periodic audits and mandates greater transparency through public reporting of surveillance activities.
This bill, titled the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act of 2026, reforms the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and adds protections for data brokers to limit how law enforcement and intelligence agencies can access personal information. The legislation prohibits warrantless queries of communications belonging to U.S. persons, requires court orders before accessing certain data from third-party providers, and mandates greater transparency in surveillance directives. It also expands the role of independent advocates in surveillance court proceedings and restricts the use of illegally obtained data from data brokers in legal proceedings.
The Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 implements reforms to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities and related privacy protections. The bill directly affects federal intelligence agencies, law enforcement, technology companies, and individuals whose communications may be collected. Key provisions include prohibiting warrantless queries for communications of U.S. persons and those located in the U.S., requiring court supervision for certain surveillance activities, limiting data retention to five years, and banning federal law enforcement from purchasing personal data from data brokers. The legislation also establishes new transparency requirements, including annual reports on surveillance activities and enhanced oversight by the Inspector General and Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Additional reforms extend protections to car data, vehicle tracking devices, and ensure consistent privacy standards across different types of electronic communications.
