Technology: Utah Congressional Delegation

in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2026

HR 10284: Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act

The Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act prohibits state-regulated electric utilities that are not wholly owned by U.S. persons from selling or commercially monetizing personal consumption data collected via smart meters, restricting such use to specific operational needs like billing and grid reliability. The bill requires these utilities to submit annual reports to the Federal Trade Commission detailing what data was collected, how it was used, and with whom it was shared. If a utility violates these privacy rules, the FTC can order the company to credit affected customers an amount equal to three times the revenue generated from that unauthorized use. State attorneys general are also granted the authority to sue on behalf of residents to enforce compliance or seek damages, while the FTC is tasked with establishing security standards for data retention.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 7, 2026

S 5360: Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act

The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act establishes a federal program to provide grants and technical assistance to small electric utilities, including rural cooperatives, municipally owned systems, and smaller investor-owned companies. The program aims to help these entities deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies and participate in threat information sharing networks to better protect against cyberattacks. Funding is prioritized for utilities with limited security resources or those operating critical infrastructure that supports the national power grid. The bill authorizes $250 million in appropriations over five years, from fiscal year 2027 through 2031, and exempts shared cybersecurity information from public disclosure under freedom of information laws.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Cybersecurity Tags Rural Communities

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5129: PROTECT Act of 2026

The PROTECT Act of 2026 requires online platforms that host user-generated content to verify the identity and age of anyone uploading pornographic images, ensuring all individuals depicted are at least 18 years old. To comply, platforms must obtain explicit written consent from every person shown in an image for both the specific sexual acts performed and the distribution of that image, using standardized forms approved by the Attorney General. The law imposes civil penalties and criminal prison sentences for users and platforms that fail to meet these verification and consent requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Online Safety Social Media

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

S 5171: Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026

The Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026 directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on the safety, educational impact, and marketing ethics of AI-enabled toys for children under 14. This study will specifically examine risks of physical and psychological harm, the effectiveness of parental controls, and whether a temporary sales ban is necessary. Following the study, the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission must create a joint action plan within two years that includes recommendations for new regulations, disclosure requirements, and public education initiatives. The bill defines AI-enabled toys as products capable of two-way interaction and applies these rules to developers and manufacturers of such items.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5181: MAP Roads Act

The MAP Roads Act creates a pilot program that provides federal grants to states to help digitize and map county roads, directly affecting state and local transportation agencies. To receive funding, states must demonstrate they can distribute money to counties and maintain a centralized, publicly accessible online database for road data. The program prioritizes states with significant gaps in digital road records and requires that the resulting data be compatible with popular mapping platforms and updated at least once a year. Authorized funding of $20 million annually from 2026 to 2031 will support these efforts, while the bill explicitly ensures it does not change existing laws regarding road ownership or jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 5000: Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act

This bill, titled the Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act, authorizes the President to issue official commissions to private companies and individuals to conduct specific cyber operations against foreign cyberthreats. Under this program, private holders would be permitted to perform tasks such as collecting intelligence, recovering stolen data, disrupting malicious networks, and seizing digital assets located outside the United States. To participate, recipients must post a security bond, maintain detailed records of their activities for at least five years, and adhere to strict rules prohibiting attacks on U.S. citizens or entities. The legislation also establishes a bounty system where recovered funds can be used to reward private operators and informants, with a portion of seized assets potentially funding future operations or victim compensation. Additionally, the act provides legal protection for private holders from lawsuits regarding actions explicitly authorized by their commission.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

in committee · United States · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9965: AI Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act

This bill establishes the Advanced Artificial Intelligence Nuclear Evaluation Program, requiring large AI developers to submit their systems for government testing to prevent incidents involving nuclear weapons or critical infrastructure. Under the program, the Department of Energy will conduct security assessments, including adversarial "jailbreaking" attempts and third-party reviews, to identify risks and develop safety protocols. Developers who refuse to participate or withhold necessary data face civil penalties of up to $1 million per day, while the information they provide remains confidential unless specific legal exceptions apply. Additionally, the Secretary of Energy must submit annual reports to Congress with recommendations for future legislation to further regulate AI safety and oversight.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4931: End EPA Abuse Act of 2026

The End EPA Abuse Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to place specific limits on the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to issue new regulations. It directly affects the EPA Administrator by prohibiting the creation of rules that restrict the sale or use of internal combustion engine vehicles, force power plants to switch fuel sources, or reduce the reliability of the electric grid. Additionally, the bill forbids regulations requiring technologies that are commercially unavailable, too expensive without subsidies, or technically infeasible due to geographic or infrastructure limitations. Finally, it bars the agency from issuing rules that significantly expand its authority beyond what Congress originally intended.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Technology ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Air Quality

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4967: Stop TNR Act of 2026

The Stop TNR Act of 2026 establishes a formal definition for transnational repression, which covers foreign government efforts to harass, threaten, or harm individuals in the United States, including the use of cyberattacks and artificial intelligence. This legislation mandates that crimes involving such activities face a mandatory sentencing enhancement of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Attorney General to centralize the oversight of related investigations and prosecutions within the FBI and the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. Additionally, the act directs federal agencies to produce annual public reports detailing incidents of repression and outlines a strategy for using artificial intelligence to investigate and counter these threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Artificial Intelligence

in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9517: UNLOCK AUKUS Act

The UNLOCK AUKUS Act modifies existing export control rules to allow the transfer of specific defense articles and services under the AUKUS partnership. By amending the Arms Export Control Act, the bill removes certain restrictions that previously limited what can be shared between partner nations. This change directly affects the U.S. government's ability to share advanced military technology with allies in the AUKUS alliance. The legislation aims to facilitate collaboration without altering the core legal framework governing defense exports.

Topics ✓ Technology

All technology bills