The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act of 2026 expands the definition of a foreign instrumentality under U.S. law to include entities domiciled in covered nations, in addition to those substantially owned by foreign governments. This change directly affects investigations into economic espionage by broadening the scope of organizations that can be legally classified as foreign agents for the purpose of criminal prosecution. By amending the United States Code, the bill ensures that companies based in specific foreign countries are treated with the same scrutiny as those owned by foreign governments when accused of stealing trade secrets. The provision relies on existing definitions of covered nations found in the National Defense Authorization Act to determine which countries are included in this expanded category.
This bill requires wagering and prediction market platforms to use facial recognition technology to verify that all users are over 18 years old before allowing them to place bets or orders. To protect user privacy, the law mandates that these platforms collect only the data strictly necessary for age verification and must delete any such data once it is no longer needed. The Federal Trade Commission is given the authority to enforce these age verification rules and can issue penalties for violations. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Office of the Retail Advocate and an Advisory Council within the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to better protect individual investors and oversee the regulation of event contracts.
The FLOWS Act of 2026 creates a $50 million grant program to help rural water systems adopt digital technologies that improve efficiency, detect leaks, and protect against cyber threats. These funds are intended for owners of public water systems serving fewer than 3,300 people, with priority given to community-owned organizations and those in greatest need. The grants can cover the design and construction of smart water infrastructure, workforce training, and cybersecurity measures, while also allowing recipients to purchase necessary software. Additionally, the bill requires a five-year study to evaluate how these digital tools impact water loss, system resilience, and project costs in rural areas.
The Countering CCP Act requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to review medical devices made by Chinese manufacturers or those controlled by Chinese entities for potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Under this law, the agency must request detailed technical information from these companies within 180 days to assess whether patient data could be stored on servers in China or accessed by unauthorized parties. If a device is found to pose a cybersecurity risk or if a company fails to provide the requested information, the FDA can order an immediate recall and halt its distribution. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive report on the cybersecurity preparedness of the U.S. medical device industry two years after the law takes effect.
The AI Security and Innovation Act establishes a new Center for AI Security and Innovation within the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assess risks and improve the security of artificial intelligence systems. This center will evaluate threats such as data leaks and model tampering, develop voluntary safety standards, and conduct research on advanced AI capabilities developed by both U.S. and foreign entities. The bill defines key terms like "artificial intelligence model" and "covered frontier system," and authorizes $20 million annually from 2027 to 2032 to fund the center's activities. While the center director will consult with various federal agencies and AI developers, the legislation explicitly prohibits the center from having regulatory or enforcement powers. The center is authorized to operate for five years before its provisions expire.
The PROTECT Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to share safety and data protection guidelines with government agencies and private organizations within a year of passing. These guidelines focus on how to securely handle personal information for law enforcement officers and employees, as well as steps they can take to stay safe. The law defines personal information broadly to include any data that can identify an individual, regardless of their citizenship status. This initiative aims to improve security practices across federal, state, local, and private sectors without changing existing legal requirements for data handling.
The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act grants owners and operators of high-risk facilities, such as power plants and substations, the legal authority to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones threatening their safety. To use this power, personnel must complete a federally mandated training and certification program that ensures they follow specific operational standards and coordinate with aviation authorities. The legislation also provides $250 million in funding through 2031 to help these facilities purchase and install approved drone countermeasures while offering liability protection for authorized actions taken in good faith.
The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 authorizes funding for U.S. intelligence activities and establishes new rules for how intelligence agencies operate. Key provisions include creating a new task force to monitor military threats from China regarding Taiwan, strengthening intelligence sharing with allies in the Indo-Pacific and Israel, and setting strict guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence, including prohibitions on certain models and requirements for labeling AI outputs. The bill also expands restrictions on purchasing equipment from specific foreign nations, mandates better protection for trade secrets, and outlines procedures for handling sensitive information about U.S. persons.
The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act authorizes federal grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to fund long-term improvements to their campus facilities and infrastructure. These grants are awarded competitively to eligible HBCUs based on criteria such as the age of their facilities, deferred maintenance needs, financial capacity, and student enrollment levels. Recipients may use the funds to construct or renovate buildings, upgrade technology and broadband systems, improve safety measures, and develop workforce training hubs, while being prohibited from using the money for routine maintenance or athletic facilities. The legislation also includes provisions for reporting on project outcomes and requires institutions to create comprehensive master plans that involve consultation with diverse campus and community stakeholders.
The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Education to provide long-term funding for infrastructure improvements at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These grants are intended to support projects such as modernizing campus facilities, upgrading technology and broadband systems, enhancing safety measures, and acquiring research equipment, with a specific focus on addressing deferred maintenance and health risks. Priority for funding is given to institutions that demonstrate the greatest need due to facility conditions or financial limitations, as well as those serving high percentages of low-income students. The legislation also includes requirements for recipients to submit detailed plans, engage in community partnerships, and use a portion of funds for administrative costs, while prohibiting the use of money for routine maintenance or athletic facilities.
