The American Quantum Competitiveness Act designates the Secretary of Commerce as the primary advisor to the President on policies regarding the commercial development and supply chains for quantum technology. The bill directs the Department of Commerce to promote U.S. leadership in this field by encouraging private sector investment, entering agreements with trusted suppliers and foreign partners, and identifying barriers to investment. It requires the Secretary to establish methods for assessing risks associated with critical components sourced from specific "covered nations" and to coordinate with allies to maintain resilient supply chains. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Secretary publish a comprehensive strategy report every three years, starting two years after enactment, which includes recommendations for further government or private sector actions to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness in quantum technology.
The Army Quantum Readiness Act requires the Secretary of the Army to establish a new initiative focused on integrating quantum computing and advanced technologies into military operations, intelligence, and logistics. This initiative aims to identify practical applications for these technologies, assess necessary infrastructure upgrades such as power and cybersecurity, and develop strategies for training the required workforce. The bill also authorizes the creation of pilot projects and demonstration activities to test quantum-enabled tools, including artificial intelligence and secure networking. Finally, it mandates that the Secretary submit a detailed report to Congress within 270 days outlining readiness requirements, recommended investments, and necessary legislative changes to accelerate this transition.
The Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to identify barriers to data sharing for artificial intelligence and robotics development, while also coordinating with industry to establish standards for emerging technologies like humanoid robots. The bill requires NIST to work with the Departments of Education and Labor to create training curricula that upskill workers for the robotics sector. Additionally, it mandates that NASA prioritize licensing its robotics-related patents and technologies to the private sector to support the domestic industrial base. Finally, the Secretary of Commerce is required to submit annual reports to Congress for five years detailing the rate of robotics adoption across various industries and geographic locations in the United States.
The Quantum-GUARD Act of 2026 requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to evaluate cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computers and the potential use of post-quantum cryptography when reviewing reliability standards for the bulk-power system. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a "PQC sandbox" within one year, bringing together grid operators, technology vendors, and government agencies to test and develop post-quantum security solutions for both information and operational technology systems. Additionally, the Secretary of Energy must conduct a study on the specific vulnerabilities of critical grid infrastructure to quantum threats and submit a report with recommendations to Congress within one year of enactment.
The PHD Talent Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to help universities create accelerated doctoral programs in critical fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These programs aim to train U.S. citizens and permanent residents by shortening the time to earn a doctorate, integrating undergraduate and graduate coursework, and providing funding that covers at least three years of doctoral study. The Department of Energy will award grants to universities that partner with national laboratories and industry to offer these tracks, which also include structured mentorship and research rotations to build dual expertise in a specific science and computational methods. The legislation authorizes $250 million for the program between 2028 and 2032 and requires the Department of Energy to submit annual reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and student outcomes.
This bill creates the United States Commission on Human Dignity, an independent advisory group within the federal government tasked with examining the ethical and policy impacts of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. The 17-member commission will be appointed by the President, congressional leaders, and committee chairs, with a focus on selecting experts in ethics, law, and science to ensure diverse perspectives. Its primary duties include developing ethical guidelines, monitoring federal programs for threats to human dignity, holding public hearings, and issuing annual reports to Congress and the President. The commission is explicitly limited to an advisory role and cannot issue regulations or enforce laws, and it will receive $2 million annually starting in 2027 until it dissolves in October 2032.
The National Quantum Readiness Act of 2026 directs federal agencies to advance quantum technology development and secure domestic supply chains. It requires the Department of Defense to select three next-generation quantum sensor projects for deployment by 2028. Additionally, multiple agencies must create a plan to partner with the private sector on developing quantum components and address market barriers. The bill also mandates steps to improve access to domestic foundry resources and strengthen the supply chain for quantum information science.
This bill directs the Department of Defense to create designated airspace corridors specifically for testing and training small drones and the systems used to detect or neutralize them. These zones would allow military personnel to safely practice operating various drone technologies, such as sensors and autonomous software, alongside counter-drone measures like electronic warfare and directed energy weapons. The Secretary of Defense must identify suitable locations, potentially building new facilities or using existing ones, while consulting with other government agencies to ensure safety and address regulatory hurdles. Additionally, the bill requires the Pentagon to report to Congress within 90 days of establishing a corridor, providing details on its location, necessary resources, and any agreements with other federal partners.
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 Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act prohibits federal agencies from buying, using, or contracting for automated surveillance systems that rely on license plate recognition, facial recognition, biometric identification, or other technologies designed for mass tracking. It also prevents state, local, and tribal governments from using federal funds to acquire or operate these same surveillance tools. If federal agencies obtain data in violation of these rules, the law requires them to delete the information within 30 days and bars its use as evidence in any court or administrative proceeding.
