The TECH Act allows qualified technical schools to apply for the same federal funding as traditional two-year and four-year colleges. To make this happen, the bill requires government agencies to update their rules and application forms so these technical schools can participate in specific grant programs for student support and workforce training. A technical school must offer approved career training programs that lead to recognized credentials in high-demand fields like healthcare or manufacturing to qualify. This change aims to help these schools compete more fairly for financial resources while ensuring they prepare students for essential jobs.
This bill, titled the Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act, aims to reduce unwanted automated calls by expanding federal rules to cover all phone numbers, not just residential ones. It requires the Federal Communications Commission to update regulations within 270 days to enforce these broader restrictions on entities making multiple calls. Additionally, the law clarifies the definition of automatic dialing systems to include any list of numbers used with automated technology, ensuring these rules apply to a wider range of callers.
This joint resolution seeks to formally disapprove a rule from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that would have removed an earlier regulation about data security. The bill directly affects financial institutions by aiming to keep in place the 2022 requirement for stronger protection of sensitive consumer information. If passed, the rule attempting to withdraw the data security standards would have no legal effect, meaning the original data protection rules would remain active.
This bill extends the authority to conduct certain foreign intelligence surveillance programs under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act until April 20, 2029. It introduces stricter rules requiring warrants or probable cause before the government can target the communications of American citizens for intelligence gathering. The legislation also increases criminal penalties for unauthorized access to classified information and mandates an independent audit to ensure these surveillance activities are properly limited to foreign targets.
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 K-12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to allow federal funding for artificial intelligence education in schools. This legislation directly affects states, local school districts, and educational staff by permitting the use of funds to teach students how to use AI safely and responsibly. Additionally, the bill authorizes money for professional development programs that equip teachers, librarians, and administrators with the skills to teach and utilize AI effectively. By adding these specific allowable uses to existing federal education grants, the act provides a clear pathway for integrating AI literacy into the K-12 curriculum.
The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026 directs the Federal Communications Commission to create two grant programs for states to improve access to the Lifeline broadband subsidy. The first program provides funding to help states inform low-income residents who qualify for the Lifeline benefit but are not yet enrolled about how to apply and what the program offers. The second program funds states to connect their local benefit databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, ensuring that receipt of other government assistance is properly recorded for eligibility checks. To receive these grants, states must submit detailed plans outlining their outreach strategies and expected reach, with the FCC prioritizing areas with more eligible individuals and diverse geographic regions. The bill also requires the FCC to report on the programs' effectiveness to Congress within three years and authorizes funding for the first five fiscal years.
This bill creates a new grant program administered by the Federal Communications Commission to help states reach low-income individuals who qualify for the Lifeline broadband subsidy but have not yet signed up. Under the first provision, states can apply for funding to run outreach campaigns that inform these people about their eligibility and guide them through the application process, often by partnering with local community organizations. The second provision provides separate grants to states to connect their existing databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, ensuring that benefits from programs like SNAP are automatically recognized when determining who qualifies for free internet services.
The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding and updates rules for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program, which supports economic development in specific geographic areas. The bill defines eligible organizations as state or nonprofit groups that provide direct financing, commercialization services, and entrepreneurial support to local businesses. It mandates that the federal government cover up to 90 percent of project costs and requires outreach to rural communities and areas facing economic hardship. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 and allows the use of previously unspent funds to continue the program.
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Economic Development
Rural Communities
The National Defense Data Resilience Act requires the Department of Defense to classify its data into three categories based on the severity of potential impacts from loss or destruction. Under this bill, the Defense Secretary must establish specific timelines for recovering critical data within 180 days and other data types within 270 days, while also developing a comprehensive strategy to meet these goals. The legislation mandates the implementation of secure backup systems, continuous monitoring for threats, and regular simulated cyberattack exercises to ensure the military can restore essential functions quickly. Additionally, the act restricts the adoption of new data recovery technologies unless they meet strict security standards and are included in an official inventory of approved tools.
