This Illinois state resolution urges the President to promptly nominate a permanent director for the U.S. Census Bureau, citing the need for stable leadership as the agency prepares for the 2030 Census. The bill calls for a review of statistical methods such as differential privacy and data adjustments, arguing that these techniques may compromise the accuracy of population counts used for congressional apportionment. It also supports efforts to collect and publish accurate citizenship data and requests a comprehensive audit of the 2020 Census results to identify and correct any deficiencies.
The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from acquiring or using real-time facial recognition and other remote biometric surveillance systems within the United States. This ban applies to all federal officials and includes a strict rule that evidence gathered in violation of the law is inadmissible in court, while also allowing individuals and state attorneys general to sue for damages if their rights are violated. The bill creates a narrow exception for specific uses explicitly authorized by future legislation that includes detailed safeguards for privacy, accuracy, and equity. Additionally, it conditions federal Byrne grant funding on states and local governments adopting similar bans on biometric surveillance, effectively pressuring lower levels of government to restrict these technologies as well.
The AI Emergency Button Act requires any company that develops or operates an advanced artificial intelligence system in the United States to build a technical feature that allows a human operator to shut down the system. This mandate directly affects developers and operators of such AI systems, ensuring they have a reliable method to stop operations when necessary. To enforce these requirements, the Secretary of Homeland Security must work with other federal agencies to create specific regulations within 90 days of the law's enactment.
The Ban Flock Act prohibits the Federal Government from acquiring, possessing, or using automatic license plate readers and associated data, with limited exceptions for toll collection and specific activities explicitly authorized by Congress. The bill also restricts state and local governments from receiving certain federal financial assistance unless they enact laws banning these tracking technologies to a similar degree. Additionally, it forbids the use of federal funds to purchase or access license plate reader systems, requiring recipients to repay any misused money and allowing for contract suspension or termination. Individuals and state attorneys general are granted the right to sue the Federal Government for violations, with potential remedies including actual damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief.
This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to create a pilot program that partners advanced military cyber units with universities recognized for cybersecurity research, defense, or operations. The initiative aims to improve the federal cyber workforce pipeline by enhancing training through academic collaboration and creating direct career pathways for students into government cybersecurity roles. Key provisions include establishing a research cell to support operational activities, developing an assessment framework to measure costs and clearance times, and tracking student outcomes to evaluate the program's impact on future employment. The pilot program is scheduled to end on September 30, 2031.
The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act amends existing law to formally designate biotechnology and biomanufacturing facilities as part of the nation's critical infrastructure, specifically addressing sectors that currently lack a designated lead agency. The bill requires the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to take necessary actions to protect these facilities and coordinate with industry groups such as BIO-ISAC and H-ISAC for security assessments. Additionally, CISA must submit a detailed work plan to Congress within 45 days of enactment, outlining strategies to engage stakeholders and update national strategic plans by September 30, 2027. Finally, the bill mandates follow-up reports on implementation progress and an evaluation of any remaining gaps in protection for emerging biotechnology areas.
The No Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude data centers from the definition of a qualified opportunity zone business. This change prevents investors who purchase stock, capital interests, or property in data centers located within designated opportunity zones from receiving specific tax benefits associated with those investments. The provision applies only to interests and property acquired after the date the Act is enacted.
HR 10519 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a five-year pilot program that provides critical infrastructure owners with access to government-procured artificial intelligence and technical assistance for cybersecurity defense. The program is designed to help participants protect against, detect, test for, and fix vulnerabilities in their systems. Applicants must submit annual applications, and the agency is required to prioritize not-for-profit, publicly owned, rural, and small-sized infrastructure operators. The bill authorizes $100 million in funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with a limit of 5 percent for administrative costs, and requires monthly reporting to Congress on grant awards and recipients.
The Ad-Free Means Ad-Free Act requires the Federal Trade Commission to create rules within one year that stop video streaming companies from adding ads to subscriptions marketed as ad-free. This protection applies for at least one year after a subscriber first signs up or for the full length of their contract, whichever is longer. The rule also prevents providers from inserting ads if a customer cancels and then re-enrolls in the same service. Companies that break these rules would face penalties under existing federal trade laws, ensuring that paid ad-free options remain free of commercials as promised to consumers.
The Protecting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing as Critical Infrastructure Act amends the Homeland Security Act to formally include biotechnology and biomanufacturing facilities within the federal critical infrastructure protection framework. This change directly affects owners and operators of these facilities by ensuring they receive technical assistance, security assessments, and outreach from the Department of Homeland Security, even if no specific agency is currently designated for their sector. The bill requires the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to submit a work plan within 45 days that identifies stakeholders, outlines outreach strategies, and sets deadlines for updating national strategic plans with industry input. Additionally, the legislation mandates follow-up reports to Congress on the implementation of these protections and to evaluate whether any critical biotechnology areas remain vulnerable.
