This bill expands the scope of federal programs supporting rural areas to include cybersecurity support, digital literacy, workforce development, and job training alongside existing telemedicine and distance learning services. It amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to update the section heading and modify multiple subsections to explicitly incorporate these new categories of assistance. The changes apply to programs that provide technical support and educational resources to rural communities, with an effective date set for six months after the bill is enacted.
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 Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security and extends certain continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2026. It allocates money for various DHS components including border security, immigration enforcement, cybersecurity, disaster relief, and law enforcement training. The bill also includes the SAVE America Act, which requires states to verify voter citizenship through documentary proof and mandates photo identification for voting in federal elections. Additionally, it establishes reporting requirements for DHS budgeting and oversight, and prohibits certain border crossing fees.
This bill, titled the Fund CISA Personnel Act of 2026, provides emergency funding to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to pay its employees during a federal government shutdown. It authorizes the agency to use Treasury funds to cover standard pay, benefits, and allowances for CISA staff when regular appropriations are not available, ensuring critical cybersecurity functions continue without interruption. The funding is temporary and will end when new appropriations are passed or by September 30, 2026, whichever comes first. The bill also includes provisions to prevent double payment to employees and ensures that costs incurred under this emergency funding are later charged to the appropriate permanent budget accounts.
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.
This bill directs the National Science Foundation to create a network of cloud laboratories that use automated robotics and advanced instrumentation to conduct biological experiments and generate data for artificial intelligence research. The legislation establishes a three-phase program where Phase I involves planning and assessment, Phase II funds at least two new laboratories, and Phase III funds at least three additional laboratories over a 12-year period. Key provisions include creating an advisory board to guide development, setting up data sharing protocols for authorized researchers, and requiring cybersecurity and biosecurity safeguards. The program aims to connect public and private research facilities while providing access to experimental capabilities for scientists across academia, industry, and government.
This bill, titled the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update cybersecurity and digital service regulations for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The law mandates that states issue chip-enabled EBT cards within four years, ban magnetic stripe cards on new cards, and eliminate replacement fees for cards lost, stolen, or damaged due to fraud. It also requires online transaction security measures, provides funding for retailers to upgrade payment terminals, and establishes reporting requirements to track fraud and system performance.
This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to create a pilot program that awards competitive grants to partnerships between colleges and employers to integrate cybersecurity training into postsecondary career and technical education programs. The grants, up to $500,000 each, are intended to help prepare workers for critical infrastructure sectors like energy, water, and transportation by teaching cybersecurity skills aligned with national workforce standards. To receive funding, partnerships must include at least one college and two or more employers in a critical infrastructure sector, and they must submit detailed plans covering curriculum development, workforce needs, diversity goals, and how they will sustain the programs after the grant period ends. The bill also requires recipients to report annually on how funds were used, student outcomes, and employment results, with a total funding authorization of $10 million.
This bill establishes a grant program to help rural water systems adopt digital technologies like sensors, data analytics, and cybersecurity tools to improve water infrastructure management. The Environmental Protection Agency would administer the program, which provides funding for designing, constructing, and maintaining digital systems that monitor water flow, detect leaks, and protect against cyber threats. Grants can also cover software costs and workforce training, with priority given to smaller systems serving fewer than 3,300 people and community-owned organizations. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2027 to 2031 and requires a study five years after enactment to evaluate the program's impact on rural water systems.
This bill, titled the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026, aims to enhance Taiwan's energy security by increasing U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to Taiwan and improving the resilience of its energy infrastructure. The legislation authorizes U.S. government agencies to coordinate with Taiwan on energy projects, provide technical assistance for cybersecurity and physical security improvements, and establish a joint U.S.-Taiwan Energy Security Center. It also directs an assessment of redirecting U.S. LNG exports currently sent to China to Taiwan and encourages Taiwan to maintain and expand its nuclear power capabilities. Additionally, the bill provides for insurance on vessels transporting critical goods to Taiwan and clarifies that the measures do not alter the U.S. One China policy.
