Technology

HR 1711, the DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act, requires the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis to conduct annual audits of its information systems and "bulk data" (large data sets without specific identifiers). The bill mandates that the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis notify Congress within 30 days of using new bulk data or changing its terms, and submit audit findings to Congress within 30 days after each audit. These audits, conducted annually after the bill's enactment, are designed to increase transparency around how DHS handles bulk data. The law directly affects DHS's Intelligence and Analysis Office and requires reporting to the Homeland Security and Intelligence committees in both the House and Senate.

The SAFE Lending Act of 2025 strengthens consumer protections in electronic and small-dollar lending. It prohibits third parties from creating checks drawn from a consumer’s account without explicit written authorization (e.g., stopping unauthorized "remote" checks), requires small-dollar lenders (transactions under $5,000) to register with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and bans fees for overdrafts on prepaid accounts. The bill also restricts lead generation for small-dollar loans by requiring lenders to directly provide credit, not just collect consumer data. A separate provision mandates a study on small-dollar lending impacts for Native American tribal communities within 180 days of enactment.

Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act This bill requires providers of connected vehicle services, upon the request of a domestic violence survivor, to terminate or disable an identified domestic abuser’s access to a vehicle’s connected capabilities and data. Specifically, within two business days of receiving a request from a survivor, a covered provider must, if technically feasible (1) terminate or disable the connected vehicle account associated with the identified abuser or the relevant vehicle, or the vehicle’s connected capabilities; or (2) instruct the survivor on how to terminate or disable connected services directly. Covered providers may not make the termination of connected vehicle services or accounts contingent on any requirement other than the provision of specified information by the survivor. For example, a provider may not require a survivor to pay a fee or extend their contract with the provider. Under the bill, an abuser is an individual identified by a survivor who committed or allegedly committed certain acts against the survivor, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. A survivor is an adult against whom such an act was committed. Further, a covered provider is a vehicle manufacturer, affiliate, or entity acting on behalf of a manufacturer that provides a connected vehicle service. Connected vehicle service is any capability that enables a person to remotely access data from or send commands to a vehicle. Finally, the Federal Communications Commission must prescribe regulations governing how covered providers address survivors’ requests related to connected vehicles.

HR 3536, the CRISIS Act of 2025, creates a special immigrant visa category for Russian nationals with advanced STEM degrees. It allows up to 3,000 individuals annually (2026-2029) who hold doctoral degrees or equivalent in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields to enter the U.S. for work in those areas, including their spouses and children. The bill exempts these applicants from standard visa numerical limits and requires background checks and vetting equivalent to refugee programs. It explicitly states no U.S. job offer is required for eligibility, and processing must be completed within 90 days of full documentation. The program terminates after fiscal year 2029, though approved petitions may still lead to permanent residency.

HR 1147 establishes the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee to improve accessibility for veterans with disabilities across Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services. The committee, composed of 15 members including four veterans with disabilities, four accessibility experts, two VA staff, and five veteran service organization representatives, will assess barriers in VA facilities, digital services, benefits, and communications. It must submit biennial reports identifying accessibility gaps and recommending improvements, with the VA required to respond to these reports within 90 days. The committee directly affects veterans with disabilities by mandating regular VA consultation on compliance with accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

HR 2628, the American Innovation Act, authorizes significant funding increases for federal science and innovation programs through fiscal year 2036. It sets annual funding levels for the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Department of Defense science programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, with amounts rising each year and adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The bill also exempts these appropriations from automatic spending cuts (sequestration) under the Balanced Budget Act. This legislation directly affects federal research agencies by securing long-term funding for scientific development and technological advancement.

The Securities Clarity Act of 2025 clarifies that certain digital assets, specifically "investment contract assets," are not considered securities under federal law. It defines these assets as fungible digital representations of value (like some cryptocurrencies) that are transferable without intermediaries on a blockchain, sold via investment contracts, and not otherwise classified as securities. This directly affects digital asset platforms, issuers, and investors by exempting these assets from regulations governing securities under the Securities Act of 1933, Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970. The bill’s key mechanism is creating a specific exclusion within multiple financial laws to reduce regulatory overlap for this category of digital assets.

HR 1602, the Financial Privacy Act of 2025, requires the Treasury Secretary to report annually to Congress on how law enforcement and intelligence agencies access FinCEN’s financial data. It mandates detailed reports on the volume of reports filed (like Currency Transaction Reports), how many are retained, and protocols governing agency access - including denials of access requests. The bill also requires annual review of these protocols with the Director of National Intelligence and Attorney General to better align data use with security needs while protecting privacy rights. The provisions expire after 7 years, with no changes to existing data collection rules.

The Maritime Supply Chain Security Act (HR 2390) amends federal port infrastructure funding rules to allow the use of existing funds for replacing port crane hardware or software linked to the Chinese government. It specifically targets equipment installed, provided, or maintained by China's government entities or its agencies. This change directly affects U.S. ports that currently use such Chinese-sourced crane systems, enabling them to upgrade or replace these components using federal port development funds. The bill modifies existing law to explicitly include crane replacement projects under eligible port resilience initiatives.

HR 5735, the Coastal Infrastructure Improvement Act, establishes a 6-year federal research program to develop nature-inspired erosion control technologies for coastal areas. The bill directly affects coastal communities vulnerable to flooding and erosion by funding research into alternatives to traditional hard structures like seawalls. Key provisions require the Army Corps of Engineers to study biomimetic methods (such as systems mimicking natural processes) that protect shorelines while supporting ecosystems, with research conducted across diverse geographic locations. The program mandates annual reports to Congress evaluating outcomes and recommending future action, focusing on cost-effective, habitat-friendly solutions.