The RESILIENCE Act of 2026 directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to launch a one-year pilot program that trains local government officials on assessing security risks at critical infrastructure facilities. The bill also requires the agency to create clearinghouses where owners and operators of critical infrastructure can access security guidance and best practices developed by the agency or trusted sources. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the agency produce annual public reports detailing its outreach efforts to these infrastructure owners across various regions and sectors. The act clarifies that these new requirements do not exempt the agency from existing federal civil rights laws.
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 FARM AI Act of 2026 directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prioritize artificial intelligence in its research, extension programs, and workforce training initiatives. This legislation requires the department to update its funding categories to include AI projects that enhance precision farming, resource management, and cybersecurity while adding specific training for implementing computing systems and maintaining agricultural machinery. To oversee these efforts, the bill establishes a new position called the Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor, who will coordinate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop national standards and promote the adoption of digital tools among farmers and rural communities.
The TOTAL Screen Time Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create a voluntary technical standard that allows parents and guardians to set screen time limits across various devices like phones, tablets, and computers. This standard must protect the privacy of minors by avoiding centralized data collection and unnecessary data sharing between devices while maintaining device cybersecurity. The bill requires the NIST Director to consult with government agencies, device developers, medical professionals, and advocacy groups before establishing the standard. Additionally, the Director must submit regular reports to Congress and the public detailing the progress of developing and adopting this standard until 2032.
This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to launch a two-year pilot program at land ports of entry along the Arizona border to test an artificial intelligence tool designed to detect unusual patterns in data. The system aims to assist officers in screening for illicit drugs and contraband by improving inspection accuracy, processing speed, and overall border security while addressing staffing challenges. To ensure safety and effectiveness, the program requires strict cybersecurity oversight and allows for collaboration with federal agencies and private sector experts. Throughout the pilot, officials must submit regular reports to Congress detailing the algorithm's performance metrics, costs, and any successes or failures before deciding whether to expand its use.
The FUSE Act directs the Department of Defense to run a five-year pilot program evaluating the safety and quality of printable energetic materials used in additive manufacturing. This initiative involves testing these new feedstocks to see if they offer better handling safety, supply chain resilience, and manufacturing consistency compared to traditional methods. The program requires strict safety protocols, including secure facilities and cybersecurity measures, and mandates regular reports to Congress detailing test results, risk assessments, and recommendations for future adoption. Ultimately, the bill aims to determine whether this technology can be safely integrated into existing munition modernization efforts while identifying necessary barriers to implementation.
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.
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to submit a report within 180 days detailing its progress on logging cybersecurity incidents according to specific federal standards. The report must identify any missing guidance, policies, or resources that prevent the department from meeting these logging requirements and offer recommendations to fix these gaps. Additionally, the department must publish a public summary of the findings and provide a briefing to congressional committees within 30 days of submitting the full report.
This bill directs the Department of Defense to conduct a comprehensive assessment of open-architecture command and control systems for unmanned aircraft, specifically analyzing frameworks used by Ukraine and Israel to improve interoperability and resilience. The evaluation will examine technical designs, cybersecurity measures against electronic warfare, and the ability of these systems to adapt quickly at the tactical level without requiring constant software updates. To guide this process, the Secretary of Defense must establish an independent advisory panel of experts to review findings and recommend a new, flexible system that avoids reliance on specific foreign vendors or prohibited foreign entities. The resulting report will outline a phased implementation plan and set strict cybersecurity standards, including regular penetration testing and a living process to update security rules as threats evolve. Additionally, the bill requires sharing relevant findings with the Federal Aviation Administration to support the integration of military and civil drone operations in shared airspace.
The Web of Biological Data Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to create a centralized online platform called the Web of Biological Data to help researchers access and analyze biological information using advanced tools like artificial intelligence. This system will serve as a single entry point for various biological datasets, particularly those funded by the federal government, while implementing tiered security measures to protect sensitive data and restrict access to certain foreign nations. The bill establishes a phased rollout plan that includes an initial testing phase within two years and a full expansion within five years, supported by an advisory board comprising representatives from industry, academia, and other federal agencies. Funding is authorized to support the development, maintenance, and expansion of the platform, with requirements for regular reports on progress and cybersecurity assessments.
