This bill, titled the Protect American AI Act of 2026, aims to speed up the environmental approval process for data centers and related infrastructure by limiting how lawsuits can delay or stop projects. It applies to facilities that process, store, or transmit digital information and any supporting infrastructure needed to operate them. The law prevents courts from canceling permits or approvals even if a lawsuit finds environmental violations, instead requiring agencies to fix the issues while continuing to process applications. Additionally, it moves legal review of these projects to local courts of appeals, sets strict 90-day deadlines for filing lawsuits, and requires faster court processing of any challenges.
The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act requires electric and gas utilities to provide customers with easy access to their energy usage data and billing information in a standardized, machine-readable format. The bill directs the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create guidelines ensuring consumers can securely share this data with third-party apps and services to help manage energy consumption and costs. Utilities must allow customers to install software on their energy meters and cannot discriminate against third-party developers seeking access to this data. The legislation also authorizes funding to help states implement these data-sharing programs and requires a report on using meter data for wholesale electricity market settlements.
This bill, known as the Farm Freedom to Repair Act, would allow farmers and repair technicians to bypass digital locks on modern agricultural machinery for maintenance and repair purposes. It directly affects owners of digital electronic agricultural equipment by creating exceptions to existing copyright laws that currently restrict circumventing technological access controls. The legislation permits the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of these machines without violating federal copyright protections, and it also allows the sale and distribution of tools and parts needed for such repairs. By modifying Section 1201 of the U.S. Copyright Code, the bill aims to ensure farmers can keep their equipment operational without legal barriers.
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This bill, titled the Future of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Act of 2026, creates a new Center for Artificial Intelligence Standards and Innovation within the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop voluntary testing standards, evaluation tools, and best practices for AI systems. The bill establishes testbed programs that allow companies of all sizes to access federal computing resources and facilities for testing AI technologies, while also creating international coalitions with like-minded countries to align on AI standards and security measures. It authorizes federal agencies to award prizes for solving specific AI challenges and requires a report identifying regulatory barriers that may hinder AI innovation. The legislation also expands hiring authority for technical experts and adds requirements for auditing temporary workers involved in AI research.
This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create definitions, standards, and frameworks to ensure biological datasets from federally funded research are prepared for use in artificial intelligence models. It requires the NIST Director to establish clear criteria for what makes data "artificial intelligence-ready" and to consult with federal agencies, private industry, and academia during this process. The legislation also mandates regular testing of these standards to prevent undue burdens on researchers and requires federal agencies to update their data management policies accordingly.
This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states, tribes, and local governments deploy and maintain Next Generation 9-1-1 emergency communication systems. It requires the Assistant Secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to coordinate implementation efforts, provide technical assistance, and approve grant applications that must include detailed plans for interoperability, cybersecurity, and public outreach. The legislation also creates a new cybersecurity center to share threat information and establishes an advisory board with representatives from law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and 9-1-1 professionals to provide recommendations on deployment strategies. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2031 to support these activities, with specific limits on administrative costs and requirements for sustainable funding mechanisms.
The TECH Act would allow qualified technical schools to receive the same federal grant funding as traditional two-year and four-year colleges. It directly affects vocational institutions that offer specific career training programs in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and public safety. The bill requires federal agencies to update eligibility rules and application processes within 180 days to include these schools in existing grant programs. To qualify, technical schools must offer programs of at least 150 clock hours that lead to recognized industry credentials and meet state educational requirements. The legislation aims to expand workforce training opportunities by treating technical schools equally with other higher education institutions for federal funding purposes.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online platform for taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. It requires the Treasury Department to create a user-friendly system that uses IRS data to simplify the process, offers customer support, and is available in multiple languages and on mobile devices. The legislation also prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that would limit its ability to provide these tax preparation and filing services. Additionally, the bill allows eligible states to integrate their state tax filing with the federal system and provides funding to states that meet certain standards for doing so.
This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to create an international strategy focused on using artificial intelligence to upgrade and secure electrical grids around the world. It requires the development of partnerships with allied nations, academic institutions, and private companies to research and deploy AI tools that can predict grid failures, detect cyber threats, and integrate renewable energy sources. The legislation authorizes funding for pilot projects, workforce training, and technical assistance to help vulnerable regions modernize their power infrastructure while ensuring compliance with U.S. export control laws. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State submit regular reports to Congress detailing the progress of these international cooperation efforts and the measurable improvements made to grid resilience.
This bill establishes the Economy of the Future Commission, a temporary legislative body designed to study how artificial intelligence adoption is affecting the U.S. economy. The Commission will consist of 10 members appointed by congressional leaders, including representatives from various congressional committees and experts in AI, education, workforce development, and taxation, along with four nonvoting deputy secretaries from federal departments. Its main duties include developing legislative recommendations on AI-related economic changes, evaluating impacts on education and workforce programs, and producing reports on employment shifts and federal revenue over the next five and ten years. The Commission will operate for approximately 13 months, concluding with a final report submitted to Congress and relevant federal agencies, and will be funded with $5.25 million.
