Software, Internet & IT Services

Software publishers, internet platforms, cloud and data providers, and IT services firms. Privacy and children's online rules, cybersecurity standards, procurement, and platform duties reach the product itself.

Measures whose provisions reach this industry directly, verified against the bill text. Measures written for this industry lead the list, then measures that plainly change how it operates; within each, the likeliest to become law come first. Measures that have become law or failed are removed. Measures written to all of Information and Professional Services are included and marked Sector-wide.

Measures that reach Software, Internet & IT Services directly

HR 7834 US House Last action
September 17, 2026 MixedLong shot

Safe Cloud Storage Act

Laurel M. Lee (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would shield cloud storage companies that contract with federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement agencies to store child sexual abuse material from most civil claims and criminal charges tied to that work, except when they act intentionally, negligently, recklessly, or for purposes outside the contract. To qualify for that protection, vendors would have to follow NIST cybersecurity standards, use encryption, limit and track employee access, pass an independent annual audit, keep the material stored in the United States, and file notification letters with the Justice Department, while agencies must retain the evidence under FBI policy or applicable retention rules. This bill lets cloud storage providers win law enforcement contracts to store child sexual abuse material with broad protection from lawsuits and criminal charges, in exchange for encryption, access controls, annual audits, US-only storage, and Justice Department notifications.
Where it stands: The Safe Cloud Storage Act passed the House on September 16, 2026 by voice vote under suspension of the rules, as amended, and was received in the Senate on September 17, 2026. It is now pending in the Senate, which must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

HR 7757 US House Last action
July 13, 2026 BurdenLong shot

KIDS Act

Brett Guthrie (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would impose online safety rules on platforms, social gaming providers, and AI chatbots that serve minors, including age verification to block minors from sexual content, parental controls, messaging safeguards, advertising limits, and expanded children's privacy protections covering teens up to 18 with new consent, deletion, and targeted-advertising restrictions. It would also create a Kids Internet Safety Partnership to publish reports and best practices, mandate federal studies and educational programs on minors' online safety, and require data brokers selling minors' personal data to register with the Federal Trade Commission and pay an annual fee of at least $22,500. This bill requires websites, apps, online game platforms, and AI chatbot providers to verify user ages, add parental safeguards, disclose AI status, limit ads to minors, and secure children's data, while data brokers must register and pay annual fees.
Where it stands: The House passed HR7757 on June 29, 2026 by a two-thirds suspension vote of 267 to 117, after the House Committee on Energy and Commerce had taken it up in a March 5, 2026 markup. The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 13, 2026, and the Senate must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

HR 6048 US House Last action
September 14, 2026 MixedLong shot

NDO Fairness Act of 2025

Scott Fitzgerald (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would rewrite the federal rules for court orders that bar email, cloud, and web-hosting providers from telling customers that the government has demanded their records, capping most secrecy orders at 90 days (1 year for child exploitation cases), requiring judges to make written findings and find no less restrictive alternative, and letting providers challenge or modify the orders with a 72-hour pause on compliance. It would also require the government to notify affected customers within 5 business days after a secrecy order expires and to provide a copy of what was disclosed if the customer asks within 180 days, and would have the Attorney General publish an annual report on how often these orders are sought, granted, and used against news media. This bill directly affects cloud, email, web hosting, and data processing providers by capping government secrecy orders at 90 days, giving them 72 hours to challenge disclosure orders in court, and requiring customer notice after orders expire.
Where it stands: The House passed the NDO Fairness Act, as amended, by voice vote under suspension of the rules on August 31, 2026, and the Senate received it and referred it to the Committee on the Judiciary on September 14, 2026. The House Committee on the Judiciary had taken the bill up at a markup and voted to report it on November 20, 2025, and the bill is now pending in the Senate, which must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

S 4749 US Senate Last action
September 16, 2026 BenefitLong shot

JAWBONE Act

Ted Cruz (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would make it unlawful for federal agencies, officers, and employees to coerce broadcasters, social media platforms, or artificial intelligence providers into taking down, altering, or promoting content, and would let those companies, affected content providers, and state attorneys general sue in federal court for damages, attorney fees, and court orders stopping the coercion. It would also require the Office of Science and Technology Policy to set up a public, searchable portal where federal agencies must log and report their communications with these companies about content decisions, backed by new National Institute of Standards and Technology logging standards, a company complaint process, and inspector general audits every two years. This bill directly protects social media platforms, hosting providers, and artificial intelligence companies by making it unlawful for federal agencies to coerce them over content and giving them new rights to sue for damages, fees, court orders, and file retaliation-free complaints.
Where it stands: S4749 was ordered favorably reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the September 16, 2026 markup of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. That committee vote is itself the report-out, but no calendar placement appears in the record yet, so the bill is not on the Calendar of Business.

HR 10809 US House Last action
October 13, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Make Data Centers Pay Act

Eugene Simon Vindman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would amend the Federal Power Act to bar electric utilities from charging ordinary customers any portion of the incremental cost of serving large data centers or high-density computing facilities of 20 megawatts or more, instead requiring those facilities themselves to pay or cover that full cost. It would also let regulators recover more than the incremental cost from such facilities to rebate other customers, keep recovery going even if a facility cancels its contract or stops buying power before costs are recovered, and require facilities to post financial assurances before utilities build new generation, transmission, or distribution capacity for them, with these rules applying only to facilities that interconnect after enactment. This bill requires data centers and high-density computing facilities of 20 megawatts or more that interconnect after enactment, including AI, cloud, and cryptocurrency mining operations, to pay their full incremental electricity infrastructure costs and post financial assurances before utilities build capacity for them.
Where it stands: The Make Data Centers Pay Act (HR 10809) was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on October 13, 2026 and now sits at the earliest committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled in the available calendar data.

S 3023 US Senate Last action
May 21, 2026 MixedLong shot

Safe Cloud Storage Act

Marsha Blackburn (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would shield cloud storage companies that contract with federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies to hold child sexual abuse material as evidence from most civil suits and criminal charges over that work, unless they act with intentional misconduct, negligence, malice, or recklessness. In exchange, those vendors would have to secure the material under the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, encrypt it, limit and log employee access, pass an annual independent security audit, keep the data in the United States, and notify the Justice Department (or state attorneys general for state and local contracts) about their contracts and any breach or termination by the agency. This bill lets cloud service providers win immunity from civil and criminal liability for storing child exploitation evidence for law enforcement, but only if they meet federal cybersecurity standards, undergo annual audits, file DOJ notifications, and keep the data stored in the United States.
Where it stands: The Senate passed S.3023 with an amendment by unanimous consent on May 20, 2026, and the bill was held at the desk in the House on May 21, 2026. It is no longer before the Senate; the bill now sits pending in the House, which must pass identical text for it to advance.

S 3519 US Senate Last action
December 17, 2025 BurdenLong shot

Remote Access Security Act

David McCormick (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would grant the U.S. government the authority to regulate and license foreign persons' remote access to specific U.S.-controlled technology items via cloud services when such access poses serious national security risks. The new regulatory powers would expire ten years after the law is enacted, requiring the Commerce Department to report on implementation and consult with Congress and industry beforehand. This bill directly burdens cloud infrastructure and hosting providers by requiring them to comply with new government licensing and control rules for foreign remote access to US-controlled technology, with penalties for violations.
Where it stands: S. 3519 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on December 17, 2025. No hearings or markups are currently scheduled, leaving the measure in a dormant state within that committee.

S 4407 US Senate Last action
August 5, 2026 MixedLong shot

CHATBOT Act

Ted Cruz (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require companies offering public-facing artificial intelligence chatbots to connect child users to family accounts with parental controls, get verifiable parental consent before teens create accounts, suspend and terminate accounts that do not comply within 180 days, and delete the personal data of terminated child and teen users. It would also bar these companies from using or sharing children's and teens' personal data for targeted advertising, require reasonable efforts to stop chatbots from assisting minor suicide attempts or providing obscene material plus referrals to crisis resources, direct the National Science Foundation to study chatbots' effects on young people, and let the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general enforce the rules, with the requirements taking effect one year after enactment. This bill requires software publishers and online services offering public-facing AI chatbots to provide family accounts, verify parental consent for teens, delete data of terminated child users, and bar targeted ads to minors, while exempting closed educational, customer service, and clinical tools.
Where it stands: S4407, the CHATBOT Act, was ordered to be reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation at its August 5, 2026 markup, which is the report-out event itself. No written report has been filed and no calendar placement appears on the record, so the bill is not yet on the Senate Calendar of Business.

HR 6291 US House Last action
December 11, 2025 MixedLong shot

Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act

Sector-wide

Tim Walberg (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would expand the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act to cover teens under the age of 17, make it unlawful to collect, use, disclose, or maintain children's or teens' personal information for individual-specific targeted advertising, and add biometric data, geolocation, photos, videos, and voice recordings to the types of information protected. It would also give parents and teens new rights to delete, correct, and access collected data, require reasonable security practices, direct the Federal Trade Commission to study a shared parental-consent mechanism and report on enforcement and on large social media companies' practices, and preempt state laws that relate to the Act's provisions.
Where it stands: HR6291 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on November 25, 2025 and referred to its Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which held a hearing on December 2, 2025 and then, at a markup on December 11, 2025, voted 14-10 to forward the bill to the full committee. The full committee held a further markup on March 5, 2026, but no recorded action on the bill has followed it.

S 4591 US Senate Last action
June 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

NO FAKES Act of 2026

Christopher A. Coons (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill establishes a federal property right allowing individuals to control the use of digital replicas of their voice and visual likeness, with post-mortem rights extending up to 70 years. It imposes liability on those who distribute unauthorized digital replicas or tools primarily designed to create them, while providing safe harbor protections for online services that comply with notice and takedown requirements. This bill makes software publishers of AI voice and likeness tools liable for distributing products primarily designed to create unauthorized digital replicas, while online services, search engines, and hosting providers get safe harbors if they register agents and follow notice-and-takedown rules.
Where it stands: The NO FAKES Act of 2026 was reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on June 24, 2026, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 446. This status means the committee has completed its work and the bill now awaits scheduling by the majority leader.

HR 8915 US House Last action
May 20, 2026 Summary as of
September 4, 2026 MixedLong shotUpdate pending

NO FAKES Act of 2026

Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal creates a federal property right for individuals to control the use of their voice and visual likeness in computer-generated digital replicas, extending these rights for decades after death. It establishes a takedown process for online platforms to remove unauthorized replicas and imposes civil penalties on those who distribute tools or content designed to create such replicas without permission. This bill makes software publishers liable for distributing tools designed to create unauthorized digital replicas, and requires online platforms and hosting providers to register a takedown agent with the Copyright Office and face fines up to $750,000 per work for failing to promptly remove unauthorized replicas.
Where it stands: Latest official action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

S 4199 US Senate Last action
August 5, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Youth AI Privacy Act

Edward J. Markey (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The Youth AI Privacy Act would require companies that offer AI chatbots to users they know are minors to tell users at the start of each conversation that they are talking to AI rather than a human, ban engagement-driving features such as usage rewards, push notifications, unprompted messages, and typing indicators, bar advertising and paid product recommendations to minors, and largely prohibit processing minors' personal data beyond the current chat session or using it to train the underlying model, with exceptions only for detecting and addressing risks of harm. Adopted amendments would strike the bill's ban on profiling minors and strike the provision letting parents sue violators directly, leaving enforcement to the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, while the bill also authorizes 50 million dollars per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 for federal research on chatbots' effects on minors and directs federal health agencies to add chatbot-use questions to national surveys. This bill directly regulates AI chatbot developers and deployers in the software industry, requiring them to disclose AI use to known minors, ban engagement features and ads, limit minors' data processing, and face FTC enforcement.
Where it stands: On August 5, 2026 the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a markup and ordered S4199 reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The written report and any calendar placement are not yet on the record, and no further committee meetings are scheduled.

HR 10719 US House Last action
October 1, 2026 MixedLong shot

Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act

George Whitesides (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would make it unlawful for chatbot developers and providers to offer AI chatbots to users under 18 unless the product defaults to a non-personified setting in which the chatbot clearly identifies itself as an AI, never claims to be human or alive, and does not simulate friendship, romance, therapy, or emotional attachment, with parents or schools holding the only authority to change that setting and no nudging users to disable it. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general could enforce these rules, with each affected minor user or deployment counted as a separate violation, while the National Institute of Standards and Technology would issue voluntary technical guidance and a safe harbor protects firms that follow it, with the core rules taking effect one year after enactment. This bill requires software and IT firms that develop or provide AI chatbots to offer a non-personified default that identifies as AI and never poses as human for users under 18, or face penalties, while granting liability shields and a safe harbor for compliant providers.
Where it stands: HR10719 was referred on October 1, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, each for consideration of provisions within its jurisdiction. The bill sits at the committee stage in both panels, and each committee's chair is a gatekeeper who decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed.

S 5664 US Senate Last action
September 30, 2026 BurdenLong shot

FUTURE of Workers Act

Brian Schatz (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a Worker Adaptation and Training Program at the Department of Labor, authorized at $60 billion per year, giving workers displaced by automation or artificial intelligence career counseling, retraining, up to $10,000 in relocation help, monthly support payments, wage replacement for up to five years, optional Medicaid coverage, and a pathway into federal and small business jobs. To pay for it, the bill would impose a new excise tax of 4 to 8 percent on large artificial intelligence service providers with United States receipts over $50 million, new employer contributions and an excess displacement tax on large employers whose automation-driven layoffs displace workers, while doubling the WARN Act layoff notice period from 60 to 120 days and giving employers a 25 percent tax credit for retraining workers in at-risk occupations. This bill imposes a new 4 to 8 percent excise tax on providers of artificial intelligence services, including companies that host, license, or give access to AI models, on US receipts above $50 million.
Where it stands: S5664, the FUTURE of Workers Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 30, 2026. It sits at the committee stage, the chamber's most common choke point, where most bills never advance to a markup.

S 5576 US Senate Last action
September 29, 2026 MixedLong shot

Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026

Mark R. Warner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a permanent Artificial Intelligence Safety Board within the Commerce Department that writes mandatory technical standards for frontier AI models, which the Secretary of Commerce would adopt by rule and enforce against developers with civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, counted daily for continuing violations. It would also require developers to give the Board access to a frontier model's weights and files at least 45 days before release, file a safety plan for each model they create, substantially modify, or use in training other models, and report confirmed safety or security incidents within 30 days (or 72 hours for imminent threats), while directing NIST to build a public incident database and voluntary reporting system and to draft a nonbinding risk profile for AI agents. This bill requires software firms that develop or provide frontier AI models to submit safety plans, give the Board access to their models and weights 45 days before release, report incidents within 30 days, and face civil penalties up to $250,000 per day.
Where it stands: S5576, the Artificial Intelligence Risk Management and Security Act of 2026, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 29, 2026 and is now at the committee stage, where most Senate bills never receive a markup.

HR 10570 US House Last action
September 24, 2026 BurdenLong shot

No Secrets for Data Centers Act of 2026

Greg Landsman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would make predispute nondisclosure clauses unenforceable in court or arbitration when they appear in contracts for building a data center over 50 megawatts that involve a public official or touch public funds, public land, or a public incentive, and it would bar data center operators from receiving any tax break, grant, loan, or similar public incentive that is conditioned on keeping such information secret. It would apply only to claims filed on or after enactment and would still allow confidential filings with utility regulators when not tied to receiving an incentive. This bill makes nondisclosure clauses unenforceable in contracts for large data centers tied to public money or officials, and bars data center operators, including computing infrastructure and hosting firms, from receiving tax breaks or grants conditioned on secrecy.
Where it stands: HR10570 was referred on September 24, 2026 to the House Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means for consideration of the provisions within their respective jurisdictions, with the period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill is at the start of the committee stage, with no hearings or markups scheduled in the calendar data.

HR 10567 US House Last action
September 24, 2026 BurdenLong shot

AI Emergency Button Act

Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require any entity that develops or operates an advanced artificial intelligence system in the United States to build in a technical capability allowing a human operator to shut the system down. It would direct the Department of Homeland Security, working with other relevant federal agencies, to issue regulations within 90 days of enactment to ensure compliance with that shutdown requirement. This bill requires software firms and cloud and data providers that develop or operate advanced AI systems in the United States to build in a human shutdown capability and comply with DHS regulations issued within 90 days.
Where it stands: HR10567 was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on September 24, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage; no committee meetings are scheduled in our calendar data, and the chair controls whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than the only one.

HR 10579 US House Last action
September 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026

Dave Min (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to write rules creating a formal queue system for connecting large power customers, meaning facilities drawing more than 50 megawatts such as data centers, under which those customers pay 100 percent of interconnection study and grid upgrade costs, prove they can flex or cut their power demand, and arrange new generating resources to supply their own needs before connecting to the transmission grid. It would also let projects that add battery backup, pay prevailing wages with registered apprentices, or sign labor peace agreements skip ahead in the queue, guarantee colocated facilities non-firm transmission access and injection rights, bar existing generators from shifting capacity to large loads if that would leave other customers short, let the Energy Department require data center owners to report energy and water use data, and set up a data-center-scale artificial intelligence testbed at a National Laboratory. This bill makes data centers and other large load facilities above 50 megawatts pay all interconnection study and grid upgrade costs, prove demand flexibility, arrange their own generation, and report energy and water use, while granting colocated data centers non-firm grid access and injection rights.
Where it stands: HR10579 was referred on September 24, 2026 to two committees, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, in each case for consideration of the provisions within that panel's jurisdiction, with the period for each to be determined by the Speaker. The bill is at the earliest committee stage: neither panel has noticed a hearing or a markup, and no meetings appear in the calendar data, with the usual quiet fate for a House bill being death in committee.

S 5471 US Senate Last action
September 23, 2026 BurdenLong shot

AI Systems Transparency Act

Christopher A. Coons (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission, working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to write rules requiring developers of large publicly accessible generative AI models (generally those in systems with at least 1 million US monthly users, or 100,000 where minors can create accounts) to publish detailed public disclosures about safety safeguards, privacy practices, risk evaluations, benchmarks, and usage data, with separate consumer-friendly and researcher-oriented versions. It would also let the FTC designate particular models or systems as covered based on risks to minors, vulnerable users, or the public, would extend similar disclosure duties to companies operating those systems and to entities that substantially modify covered models, and would make violations enforceable as unfair or deceptive practices with FTC Act penalties. This bill requires software developers of large generative AI models, companies that substantially modify them, and platforms operating them to publish detailed safety and privacy disclosures, enforced by the FTC with penalties.
Where it stands: S5471, the AI Systems Transparency Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 23, 2026 and now sits at the committee stage, the chamber's most common kill point.

S 5493 US Senate Last action
September 23, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026

Bernard Sanders · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new Department of Artificial Intelligence headed by a Senate-confirmed Secretary, freeze training and modification of advanced AI systems trained on computing power at or above 10^25 operations and bar deployment of unreleased ones until the Department is fully staffed and writes safety rules, and permanently ban anyone from developing, deploying, funding, importing, or transferring artificial superintelligence or systems showing superintelligence precursor traits. Advanced AI developers would need a federal charter and government pre-deployment approval to keep operating, with violations punishable by up to 20 years in prison, revoked charters, forfeiture of intellectual property and assets, 10-year industry employment bans for lower-level staff, and a 24-hour duty to report any system showing dangerous capabilities. This bill bars software and AI developers from building or distributing advanced AI models without a federal charter, pauses frontier development until safety rules issue, and threatens criminal fines, IP forfeiture, and executive prison time for violations.
Where it stands: S5493, the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 23, 2026. It is now at the committee stage, the choke point where most Senate bills stall, and no committee meetings appear in the calendar data.

HR 10433 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 BenefitLong shot

SAFE Platforms Act

Valerie P. Foushee (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar large online platforms, meaning sites with 100,000 or more monthly users or over $25 million in annual revenue, from knowingly promoting or amplifying fraudulent content and would require them to add scam-reporting tools, fraud-resistant default privacy settings, advertiser identity checks, and systems to stop fake accounts and reviews. It would let the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and private individuals sue platforms that violate these rules, with private plaintiffs able to recover actual losses or statutory damages and attorney fees. This bill exempts interactive computer services that operate mainly as internet service providers, email providers, or data storage providers from its requirements, so those IT businesses are not covered by its rules.
Where it stands: HR 10433, the SAFE Platforms Act, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 16, 2026; no hearing or markup has been noticed, and no meetings are scheduled in our calendar data.

HR 10467 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Data Center Fairness Fee Act of 2026

Paul Tonko (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the EPA to charge the owners and operators of large data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities more than 50 megawatts in capacity one cent per kilowatt-hour for their total electricity use starting in 2027, with an added charge beginning in 2028 for facilities drawing electricity whose carbon intensity exceeds 0.10. The money collected would be handed out to states and Indian tribes for low-income energy assistance, energy efficiency, and residential bill reduction programs. This bill charges fees on data center and crypto mining operators whose facilities have over 50 megawatts of IT capacity, with extra charges for high-carbon electricity, plus monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping duties for those operators.
Where it stands: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 16, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled in the calendar data. The Energy and Commerce chair decides whether the bill ever gets a hearing or a markup, and a bill can die quietly at this stage without a noticed markup.

HR 10448 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act

Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would amend the tax code so that property used in large data centers, defined as structures with power capacity over 50 megawatts serving data storage, processing, or artificial intelligence work, no longer qualifies for immediate bonus depreciation, applying to property placed in service after enactment. It would also bar that same covered data center property from counting as qualified opportunity zone business property, removing those projects from opportunity zone tax benefits for acquisitions after enactment. This bill raises taxes on data center operators in the software, internet, and IT services industry by removing their equipment from bonus depreciation and excluding covered data centers from opportunity zone tax benefits.
Where it stands: HR10448 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on September 16, 2026 and now sits at the earliest stage of the House committee process, with no meetings currently scheduled in available calendar data.

S 5418 US Senate Last action
September 16, 2026 BurdenLong shot

No Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act

Josh Hawley (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would amend the federal tax code so that data centers no longer qualify as qualified opportunity zone businesses, cutting them off from the capital gains tax breaks that program offers to investors. The change would apply only to stock, capital or profits interests, and property acquired after the bill is signed into law, leaving existing investments untouched. This bill bars data centers, which host and process data for software and internet companies, from qualifying as opportunity zone businesses, so new data center investments lose the capital gains tax breaks while existing ones stay eligible.
Where it stands: S5418, the No Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 16, 2026. It is now at the committee stage, which in this chamber is where most bills stop.

S 5417 US Senate Last action
September 16, 2026 BurdenLong shot

AI Emergency Button Act

John Kennedy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require any entity that develops or operates an advanced artificial intelligence system in the United States to build into that system a technical capability allowing a human operator to shut it down. It would also direct the Department of Homeland Security, working with other federal agencies that oversee artificial intelligence, to issue regulations within 90 days of enactment to enforce that shutdown requirement. This bill requires software developers and hosting, data processing, and IT services firms in the industry that develop or operate advanced AI systems to build in a human shutdown capability and comply with new Homeland Security regulations.
Where it stands: S5417, the AI Emergency Button Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 16, 2026, so it is at the committee stage where most bills stall. Its companion, HR10567, is likewise not reported and has not passed a chamber, having been referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on September 24, 2026.

HR 10364 US House Last action
September 14, 2026 BenefitLong shot

American Copyright Protection Act of 2026

Darrell Issa (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add a new chapter to federal copyright law letting copyright owners sue in designated federal courts for a declaration that a foreign website is a piracy site and for orders requiring large US internet providers, domain name resolution services, and virtual private networks to take commercially reasonable steps to block US users from reaching it. Orders would expire within 12 months but could be extended in 12-month increments, service providers could recover directly incurred implementation costs from the copyright owner, and the regime would take effect 6 months after enactment with the Copyright Office reporting to Congress at 2 and 5 years. This bill lets copyright owners, including software publishers, ask a federal court to declare piracy sites infringing, giving the software and internet industry a new tool against unauthorized distribution of their products.
Where it stands: HR10364 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 14, 2026 and sits at committee stage. The Judiciary chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite.

HR 10332 US House Last action
September 10, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Sunset Section 230 Act

Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would repeal the federal law known as Section 230, which currently shields websites and other interactive computer services from liability for most content their users post, ending that legal immunity two years after the president signs it. It would also rewrite other federal laws that reference Section 230 so that related definitions and rules instead point to a different communications statute, and it would strike conforming provisions scattered across the trademark, copyright, criminal, controlled substances, alcohol, and other code titles. This bill repeals Section 230, stripping websites, social media platforms, search engines, web hosts, and other internet services of legal immunity for user-posted content, exposing them to lawsuits two years after enactment.
Where it stands: HR10332, the Sunset Section 230 Act, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2026 and sits at the committee stage; available calendar data lists no upcoming meetings and no markup has been noticed.

HR 10300 US House Last action
September 4, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Big Tech Accountability Act

James P. McGovern (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create new federal crimes, carrying fines and up to 5 years in prison, for knowingly spreading materially false information about government services such as voting, public health, the census, and education, and up to 2 years for internet posts encouraging violence that are calculated to reach 500 or more viewers, with publishing entities, including print publishers, broadcasters, and social media platforms, facing the same liability when they knowingly disseminate such misinformation, use algorithmic targeting to spread it, or amplify violence-encouraging posts that are viewed 10,000 or more times. It would strip federal legal immunity from platforms that target content at individuals or profit from amplifying misinformation, violence, or disinformation, ban covered online platforms such as websites, apps, social networks, search engines, and advertising networks from targeting advertisements at individuals or specific groups on any basis, with civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and private lawsuits awarding $100 to $5,000 per violation, and direct the Federal Trade Commission to recommend reforms restricting collection, aggregation, and sale of personal information without meaningful consent within 120 days of enactment. This bill bars covered online platforms such as social networks, search engines, and advertising networks from targeted advertising, with civil penalties and private lawsuits, and directs the FTC to recommend restrictions on collecting and selling personal information.
Where it stands: HR10300 was referred on September 4, 2026 to the Committee on the Judiciary and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill is at the earliest committee stage, where each panel decides whether to take it up at all.

HR 10263 US House Last action
September 3, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Halt Abusive Internet Lawsuits Act of 2026

Russ Fulcher (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would shield the collection, processing, or disclosure of information for commercial purposes, including website tools like cookies, session replay, chatbots, and analytics, from any claims or enforcement actions under federal or state wiretapping, pen register, trap and trace, and eavesdropping laws, including the California Invasion of Privacy Act. It would also wipe out any such claims or enforcement actions already in progress on the date of enactment, so those pending cases could no longer be maintained, adjudicated, or arbitrated. This bill exempts software publishers, internet platforms, cloud and data providers, and IT services firms from wiretapping and eavesdropping lawsuits over commercial data collection like cookies, session replay, and analytics, and wipes out pending claims.
Where it stands: HR10263 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 3, 2026 and now sits at committee stage, where the chair controls whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is not the only possible route to the floor.

HR 10207 US House Last action
September 1, 2026 BurdenLong shot

GUARDIAN Act

Erin Houchin (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill prohibits internet platforms that facilitate user-generated content and use engagement features from processing the personal data of users under age 16 without verifiable parental consent. It requires the deletion of such data when accounts are terminated or when a user turns 16, unless a parent requests retention, and empowers state attorneys general to enforce these rules. This bill requires software publishers, internet platforms, web search portals, and other information services to obtain verifiable parental consent before processing personal data of users under 16, delete such data when accounts close or users turn 16, and face state attorney general enforcement.
Where it stands: HR 10207 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 1, 2026, and no hearings or markups are scheduled.

HR 10146 US House Last action
August 24, 2026 BurdenLong shot

AI Advertising Disclosure Act

Seth Magaziner (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill requires companies operating AI tools with more than 50,000 monthly active users to clearly disclose when their AI responses include sponsored content or are influenced by commercial arrangements. It prohibits AI systems from denying their artificial nature or commercial ties and establishes penalties for violations, including private lawsuits and state enforcement. This bill requires software publishers, AI chatbot providers, and online search engines with more than 50,000 monthly active users to disclose sponsored AI responses, keep real-time registries of paid arrangements, and face penalties for denying their artificial nature.
Where it stands: HR 10146 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on August 24, 2026, placing it at the initial committee stage. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the calendar data for this measure.

HR 10044 US House Last action
August 6, 2026 BurdenLong shot

AI Tax and Work Protection Act

Greg Casar (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill imposes an excise tax on artificial intelligence foundation model usage, with rates that increase if unemployment exceeds 5 percent, and establishes a Work Protection Administration to fund grants for job creation in public service sectors. This bill imposes an excise tax on businesses in the software, internet, and IT services industry that develop, sell, or modify AI foundation models, with rates rising if unemployment exceeds 5 percent, cutting their after-tax profits.
Where it stands: HR10044 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the House Committee on Ways and Means on August 6, 2026, with no single committee designated as primary. The bill currently sits in the initial committee consideration stage, awaiting action from the chairs of these panels.

S 5154 US Senate Last action
July 28, 2026 BurdenLong shot

CHAT Act 2.0

Jon Husted (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill imposes strict safety, age verification, and data privacy requirements on companies that provide artificial intelligence chatbots designed for companionship or educational purposes to users under eighteen. It mandates features like parental controls, crisis intervention protocols, and restrictions on emotional dependency, while prohibiting targeted advertising and data sharing with minors without consent. This bill directly regulates software publishers and AI developers that offer companion or educational chatbots, requiring age assurance, parental controls, crisis protocols, usage limits, and bans on targeted advertising and data sharing involving minors, with enforcement as unfair trade practices.
Where it stands: The CHAT Act 2.0 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 28, 2026. The measure is currently in committee, where no future meetings are scheduled in the available calendar data.

HR 9948 US House Last action
July 27, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Addictive Design Act of 2026

Becca Balint (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill prohibits companies from offering AI chatbots with addictive design features to users under 18 and requires them to share data with researchers, imposing fines of up to $10 million for failing to provide data. It also directs the President to create a task force to recommend safeguards and authorizes $8 million in grants for universities and community groups to study the mental health impacts of these technologies. This bill bars AI chatbot operators in the software and IT industry from offering addictive design features to users under 18, requires age verification, mandates sharing data with researchers, and imposes penalties up to $10 million.
Where it stands: HR9948 was referred on July 27, 2026, to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Education and Workforce, with the Speaker to determine the referral period for each committee.

HR 9965 US House Last action
July 27, 2026 MixedLong shot

AI Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act

Celeste Maloy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill requires large advanced artificial intelligence developers to submit their models for mandatory safety testing by the National Nuclear Security Administration to assess risks related to nuclear incidents. Non-compliance results in civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation and potential subpoenas to force the disclosure of model weights and unmitigated software versions. This bill requires large advanced AI developers to submit models for federal nuclear-risk safety testing, with fines up to $1 million and forced disclosure of model weights for noncompliance, while shielding their submitted information from public records requests.
Where it stands: HR9965 was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on July 27, 2026. No hearings or markups are scheduled, and the measure remains in the committee stage with no active procedural steps recorded.

HR 9917 US House Last action
July 24, 2026 BurdenLong shot

AI Kill Switch Act

Ted Lieu (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The AI Kill Switch Act requires AI companies with at least $500 million in annual revenue from their technology to maintain technical capabilities to shut down their systems and report serious incidents to the Department of Homeland Security. The bill authorizes the Secretary to order these companies to suspend or stop AI operations if a major security incident occurs, imposing fines up to $20 million per day for noncompliance. This bill directly regulates large AI developers and companies that offer AI through APIs, hosted services, or IT systems, requiring them to build shutdown capabilities, report serious incidents to DHS, and face fines up to $20 million per day for violations.
Where it stands: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security on July 23, 2026, and subsequently referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection on July 24, 2026. It is currently in the committee stage, where the subcommittee chair controls whether a hearing or markup is scheduled.

HR 9914 US House Last action
July 23, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Collaboration on Adversarial Threats and Security Risks Act

Robert E. Latta (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill grants antitrust immunity to private companies that share information or coordinate to delay artificial intelligence releases to mitigate specific national security and safety risks. Companies claiming this protection must prove their actions were in good faith and exclusively for these security purposes, and any coordinated delays require prior written notice to the Department of Justice. This bill grants software publishers, AI developers, cloud providers, and IT services firms antitrust immunity to share information or coordinate delaying AI releases for national security purposes, provided they give the Justice Department written notice beforehand.
Where it stands: HR9914 is active in the House Committee on the Judiciary following its referral on July 23, 2026. The bill awaits committee consideration, with no upcoming meetings scheduled in the available calendar data.

HR 9925 US House Last action
July 23, 2026 MixedLong shot

FRONTIER Act

Jay Obernolte (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill requires large and very large artificial intelligence developers to publish safety frameworks, undergo independent audits, and file transparency reports to mitigate catastrophic risks. It establishes a federal licensing system for verification organizations, grants the Secretary of Commerce emergency authority to suspend model deployment, and preempts certain state laws regarding AI safety. This bill requires large and very large AI model developers, which are software publishers, to publish safety frameworks and transparency reports, pay fees, retain licensed independent auditors, face possible federal suspension of their models, and benefit from preemption of state AI safety laws.
Where it stands: The bill was referred on July 23, 2026, to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where both chairs serve as gatekeepers for future action.

HR 9915 US House Last action
July 23, 2026 MixedLong shot

Stealth Bot Prohibition Act

Laurel M. Lee (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would make it illegal to use undisclosed bots that damage website operations or pretend to be human users when interacting with generative AI services. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general could sue violators for civil penalties up to $53,000 per incident. This bill makes it illegal for software publishers, IT services firms, and bot developers to deploy undisclosed bots that pose as humans or harm websites, with civil penalties the FTC and state attorneys general can enforce.
Where it stands: The Stealth Bot Prohibition Act was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 23, 2026, placing it in the committee stage where the chair controls whether hearings or markups are scheduled.

S 5105 US Senate Last action
July 23, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Collaboration on Adversarial Threats and Security Risks Act

Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would allow artificial intelligence companies to share security risk information and coordinate delays in product releases without violating antitrust laws, provided they notify the Justice Department. It establishes an affirmative defense for these companies if they prove their actions were solely for security purposes and used only for that purpose. This bill grants software publishers, IT services firms, and cloud providers that develop AI an exemption from antitrust laws to share security risk information or delay AI releases, if they notify the Justice Department first.
Where it stands: S. 5105 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on July 23, 2026. The bill currently awaits committee action, with no upcoming meetings scheduled.

S 5117 US Senate Last action
July 23, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Senior Chatbot Protection Act of 2026

Mark Kelly (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act would require companies offering artificial intelligence chatbots to disclose that they are not human, restrict data collection without consent, and implement safety protocols for users seeking help with high-stakes decisions or crises. It would also mandate annual incident reporting to federal agencies and allow the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to enforce these rules with civil penalties. This bill directly regulates software publishers, IT firms, and platform operators that make AI chatbots available in the US, requiring human disclosure, consent-based data limits, crisis safety protocols, annual incident reports, and exposing them to civil penalties.
Where it stands: S5117 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 23, 2026. No future meetings are currently scheduled.

S 5097 US Senate Last action
July 23, 2026 BurdenLong shot

End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Tim Sheehy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would suspend the issuance of H-1B visas for three years and, upon resumption, impose a $100,000 fee per petition, raise the minimum wage to $200,000, and limit annual visas to 25,000. It would also eliminate the H-1B lottery in favor of a wage-based ranking, ban third-party staffing sponsors, prohibit federal employment of nonimmigrants, and end employment authorization for foreign students and adjustment of status for most nonimmigrants.
Where it stands: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary on July 23, 2026, placing it in the committee stage where the chair controls scheduling for a markup.

HR 9539 US House Last action
June 30, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Online Accessibility Act

Sector-wide

Mark Alford (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act to require private businesses to make consumer-facing websites and mobile applications accessible by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level A and AA standards. It establishes a mandatory administrative process where individuals must first notify a business of non-compliance and file a complaint with the Department of Justice before they are permitted to sue for violations.
Where it stands: HR 9539 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 30, 2026. The committee chair decides whether to schedule a hearing or markup, though leadership may bypass committee action via suspension of the rules or a special rule.

S 836 US Senate Last action
March 16, 2026 MixedLong shot

Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act

Sector-wide

Edward J. Markey (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This measure would extend federal online privacy protections to include teenagers aged 13 to 17 and explicitly cover mobile applications and connected devices. It would prohibit operators from using personal information from children and teens for targeted advertising and require them to obtain verifiable consent from parents or teens before collecting such data.
Where it stands: The Senate passed S. 836 with amendments on March 5, 2026, and the measure is now pending in the House where it is held at the desk.

HR 9244 US House Last action
June 10, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Pat Harrigan (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar state and local governments from imposing a net income tax or a similar business activity tax on an out-of-state company unless that company has a physical presence in the state, such as an employee, an agent, or owned or leased property, and would exclude short stays under 15 days and limited or transient activity from counting as presence. It would also expand the existing federal shield against such taxes to cover sales of digital goods and digital services like software, cloud computing, and data processing, and to cover activities carried out through independent contractors such as soliciting orders or gathering information.
Where it stands: H.R. 9244, the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 10, 2026, and has had no further recorded action since; no committee meetings are currently on the calendar.

HR 9157 US House Last action
June 4, 2026 BurdenLong shot

American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Chip Roy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would sharply restrict the H-1B skilled-visa program by capping stays at 2 calendar years, keeping the annual cap at 65,000 visas, giving visa priority to petitions with the highest salaries, limiting any single country to 7 percent of the visas, and requiring employers to first post and offer each job to equally or better qualified United States workers, pay the higher of the actual wage or the 75th percentile wage for the occupation and location, keep nonimmigrants at no more than 5 percent of their United States workforce, and forgo hiring whenever local unemployment in the occupation exceeds 2 percent. It would back these rules with Labor Department enforcement including fines of up to $100,000 per violation, H-1B employment bans of up to 10 years, and a new federal court claim for United States workers who are displaced by visa holders.
Where it stands: HR 9157 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 4, 2026 and has had no further action since. It sits at the earliest committee stage, where the chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed.

HR 8413 US House Last action
April 21, 2026 MixedLong shot

SECURE Data Act

Sector-wide

John Joyce (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would create a national consumer privacy law giving people rights to access, correct, delete, and transfer their personal data, to opt out of targeted advertising, the sale of their data, and automated profiling, and requiring consent before a company processes sensitive data or a parent consents for children under 13 and teens. It would apply only to companies that process the data of at least 100,000 or 200,000 consumers a year above revenue thresholds, require data brokers to register annually with the FTC and pay a fee for a public searchable registry, be enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general with a 45 day cure period, and preempt state privacy laws.
Where it stands: HR8413, the SECURE Data Act, was referred on April 21, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for the provisions within each committee's jurisdiction. Energy and Commerce held a hearing on the bill on June 3, 2026, but the record shows no markup and nothing further scheduled.

S 4211 US Senate Last action
March 25, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Jerry Moran (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal establishes a comprehensive federal framework for consumer data privacy by requiring businesses to obtain consent before collecting personal information, granting individuals rights to access and delete their data, and mandating security programs for large companies. It preempts most state privacy laws to create a uniform national standard while authorizing the Federal Trade Commission to hire over 400 new staff members to enforce these rules and impose civil penalties on violators.
Where it stands: S4211 is currently referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, having been read twice and referred there on March 25, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the available data, leaving the measure in a stalled posture where the committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup occurs.

HR 8014 US House Last action
March 19, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Online Privacy Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Zoe Lofgren (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposed legislation would establish comprehensive federal privacy rights and data handling standards for businesses while creating a new agency to enforce these rules through investigations and penalties. It would also fund privacy research and education efforts to support the implementation of these new regulations.
Where it stands: The Online Privacy Act of 2026 was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on March 19, 2026. This multiple referral places the measure in the hands of three committee chairs, as the source does not designate a single primary panel.

HR 7328 US House Last action
February 3, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Protecting Small Businesses from Predatory Website Lawsuits Act

Sector-wide

Sam Graves (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill requires individuals to exhaust administrative remedies before suing private entities for website or mobile application accessibility violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It establishes a process where the alleged violator gets 180 days to fix the issue after notice, and the Attorney General has 360 days to investigate a subsequent complaint before a lawsuit can be filed.
Where it stands: HR7328 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 3, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the calendar data, leaving the bill stalled at the committee stage.

May also reach

Measures that reach Software, Internet & IT Services indirectly

Through a product these businesses make, a customer they serve, a competitor, or a study about them. Read these as possibilities, not duties.

HR 10538 US House Last action
September 24, 2026 May reachLong shot

Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026

Greg Casar (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new Department of Artificial Intelligence led by a Senate-confirmed Secretary to police AI safety, and it would immediately impose a mandatory pause on training, modifying, or deploying any AI system trained with computing power at or above 10 to the 25th operations until that department is fully staffed and has issued safety rules. It would permanently ban anyone from developing, deploying, possessing, funding, or transferring artificial superintelligence or systems showing defined superintelligence precursor traits, and would require developers of advanced AI models to obtain a federal charter, submit to government monitoring and audits, and face penalties for reckless violations including fines, up to 20 years in prison for policymaking individuals, a 10-year industry employment bar for other workers, charter revocation, and forfeiture of intellectual property and assets. This bill requires AI developers in the software and IT industry to stop training or deploying advanced AI systems until a federal charter is granted, while subjecting them to audits, criminal penalties, and possible asset forfeiture.
Where it stands: HR10538, the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on September 24, 2026. It is now at the earliest stage of House consideration, where the committee chair decides whether the bill ever receives a hearing or a markup.

HR 915 US House Last action
July 13, 2026 May reachLong shot

Small Business Technological Advancement Act

Mark Alford (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: Under this proposal, the Small Business Administration could make 7(a) loans to pay for business software, cloud computing, and related technology tools, including those using artificial intelligence, for operations like payroll, sales, inventory, and accounting. It also clarifies that such loans made before the law's enactment were permissible, but it does not allow these loans for research and development. This bill lets small businesses use SBA 7(a) loans to buy business software and cloud computing services, which should raise demand for software publishers and cloud providers but excludes research and development spending.
Where it stands: HR915 passed the House on June 24, 2026, and was received in the Senate on July 13, 2026, where it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship; it is now pending in the Senate with no further action scheduled.

HR 3460 US House Last action
May 15, 2025 May reachLong shot

AI Whistleblower Protection Act

Jay Obernolte (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act prohibits employers from retaliating against employees and independent contractors who report artificial intelligence security vulnerabilities or violations to government officials, Congress, or supervisors. It allows whistleblowers to seek reinstatement, double back pay, and damages if they face discrimination for these protected reports. This bill bars software, AI, and cloud firms from retaliating against employees or contractors who report AI security flaws or violations, exposing employers to reinstatement, double back pay, and damages claims.
Where it stands: HR 3460 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on May 15, 2025, and remains in committee with no scheduled hearings or markups. The companion measure S1792 is also stalled in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

S 737 US Senate Last action
February 26, 2025 May reachLong shot

SCREEN Act

Mike Lee (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill requires interactive computer services that regularly host content harmful to minors to implement technology-based age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing their platforms. It mandates that the Federal Trade Commission enforce these requirements through audits and treats non-compliance as an unfair or deceptive act under existing consumer protection laws. This bill requires covered platforms that host harmful content to use age verification, and it lets them contract with third-party software providers, creating new mandatory business for age-verification and identity-proofing firms while adding compliance costs for adult-oriented platforms.
Where it stands: S737 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 26, 2025. No hearings or markups are currently scheduled, and the companion measure HR1623 remains in the House committee stage without a chamber vote.

HR 10152 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 May reachLong shot

Open-Source AI Leadership Act

Gabe Evans (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the Commerce Secretary to actively support the adoption and use of open American artificial intelligence models by naming a coordinator, directing existing Commerce programs to help, working to remove adoption barriers, and entering agreements with companies, agencies, states, and friendly foreign partners. It would also require the Secretary to identify and publicly assess the risks of open AI models from covered adversary nations, publishing an annual comparison report starting 18 months after enactment and sunsetting after 10 years, while explicitly barring the Secretary from banning or restricting any open AI model. This bill benefits US software publishers, cloud and hosting providers, and IT services firms by directing Commerce to promote and support adoption of American open AI models through agreements with private companies and startups.
Where it stands: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce took the bill up at markups on September 1, 2026 and September 16, 2026, and on September 16, 2026 the committee voted 26 to 21 at markup to order the bill reported. No written report and no calendar placement appear on the record, and the bill has not been scheduled for floor action.

S 5171 US Senate Last action
August 5, 2026 May reachLong shot

Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026

Tammy Duckworth (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to begin a study within 6 months of enactment examining the risks and outcomes of toys equipped with open-ended AI chatbots for children under 13, including safety, education, parental controls, marketing practices, and children's data. Within 2 years of enactment, the FTC and Consumer Product Safety Commission, consulting with NIST, would have to send Congress a joint action plan with recommendations on legislation, disclosure of chatbots in toys, possible standards for marketing, privacy, safety, and reviews of AI-enabled toys, plus planned public education efforts. This bill directs a federal study and a government action plan covering developers and marketers of AI chatbot toys for children under 13, reaching software publishers that build those chatbots, though it imposes no new requirements yet.
Where it stands: S. 5171 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 29, 2026, and on August 5, 2026 that committee held a markup and voted to order the bill reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. No calendar placement is in the record, so the bill has not been placed on the Calendar of Business as shown here.

S 3800 US Senate Last action
February 5, 2026 May reachLong shot

To ePermit Act

John R. Curtis (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act requires federal agencies to adopt standardized digital data formats and implement a unified, cloud-based portal for submitting and tracking environmental reviews and authorizations. It mandates the development of automated tools for project screening and case management, with a full interagency system target date of December 1, 2027. This bill lets software firms, cloud providers, and IT services contractors win federal contracts to build and run the new cloud-based permitting portal, data standards, and automated case management tools due by December 1, 2027.
Where it stands: The ePermit Act is currently in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, having been read twice and referred there on February 5, 2026. This placement means the bill awaits committee action, as the chair controls whether to schedule a hearing or a markup.

HR 9372 US House Last action
June 25, 2026 May reachLong shot

Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act

Suhas Subramanyam (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to run a measurement research program, working with the Department of Energy, to develop best practices, standards, and metrics for measuring energy and water use by data centers, including AI training and inference workloads, and to study data gaps for improving energy demand forecasting, with $10 million authorized for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029. A committee-added section would also require the Office of Science to review research, development, and technology needs for liquid cooling in data centers, covering costs, performance, coolant options, heat reuse, and reference architectures, and report its findings to Congress within 90 days of enactment. This bill benefits cloud, data, and AI infrastructure providers by funding NIST to develop standardized practices for measuring data center energy and water use, and directs a federal review of liquid cooling research needs for high performance computing.
Where it stands: The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup on HR9372 on June 25, 2026 and ordered it reported in the nature of a substitute, as amended, by a vote of 34 to 1. No written report has been filed and no calendar placement exists on the record, but a written report is not a prerequisite for House floor action.

HR 9333 US House Last action
June 25, 2026 May reachLong shot

AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act

Deborah K. Ross (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would direct NIST, working with the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity agency, to run a program supporting the voluntary reporting, collection, and tracking of artificial intelligence flaws, convening industry, academia, nonprofits, standards bodies, and civil society to set common definitions, taxonomies, technical standards, and disclosure norms for such flaws. It would also have NIST build, or fund through cooperative agreements with universities and research institutions, a national database of artificial intelligence flaws, conven a similar stakeholder process for security and safety incidents, and report to Congress on implementation within three years. This bill has NIST convene software publishers, AI developers, and IT services firms to set voluntary standards and disclosure norms for artificial intelligence flaws and build a national flaw database, helping them find and fix defects while raising disclosure risks.
Where it stands: On June 25, 2026, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup and voted 35 to 0 to order H.R. 9333 reported in the nature of a substitute, which is the committee's report-out action. No written report has been filed and no calendar placement exists on the record.

HR 8462 US House Last action
April 29, 2026 May reachLong shotNew text pending

National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would reauthorize and amend the National Quantum Initiative Act, extending federal quantum research, development, and workforce programs through December 30, 2032, and adding new activities at NIST, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and NASA, including up to five NSF-funded quantum testbeds, a workforce coordination hub, NIST quantum acceleration centers, a DOE instrumentation and foundry program, and a voluntary post-quantum cryptography grant program subject to future appropriations. It would also require an international quantum cooperation strategy, bar quantum funds under the NIST and NSF provisions from going to institutions that maintain Confucius Institute agreements and bar NIST funds from financing quantum research activities with foreign countries of concern or foreign entities of concern, and direct agencies to promote commercialization, domestic supply chain development, and participation by small and medium-sized businesses and startups. This bill funds quantum software and application development, cloud-based quantum testbed access, and post-quantum cryptography grants and technical assistance, directly benefiting software publishers, IT services firms, and cloud and data infrastructure providers through 2032.
Where it stands: H.R. 8462 was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on April 23, 2026, and at a markup on April 29, 2026 the committee ordered the bill to be reported as amended by voice vote. The amended text is still pending, and no written report or calendar placement appears on the record.

S 5640 US Senate Last action
September 30, 2026 May reachLong shot

Data Center Transparency Act of 2026

Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to publish quarterly reports to Congress on how large data centers, those using at least 50 megawatts daily, affect water supplies, residential water rates, and greenhouse gas emissions, including effects on overburdened communities. It would also require the Energy Information Administration to collect data on each data center's electricity use and publish twice-yearly reports on energy consumption by state, new data centers coming online, and how household energy bills may be changing. This bill affects cloud and data providers operating large data centers of at least 50 megawatts daily by requiring federal collection and public reporting of their water use, emissions, and electricity consumption, exposing them to regular public scrutiny.
Where it stands: S5640, the Data Center Transparency Act of 2026, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on September 30, 2026. The bill now sits at the committee stage, which is the ordinary first gateway in the Senate and the point where most measures stall.

S 5541 US Senate Last action
September 24, 2026 May reachLong shot

Cybersecurity and AI Board of Investigations Act of 2026

Edward J. Markey (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new independent federal agency, the Cybersecurity and AI Board of Investigations, made up of five Senate-confirmed members, that would investigate major cyber incidents, near-misses, and systemic vulnerabilities affecting federal civilian systems and critical infrastructure, publish public reports with recommendations, and run a voluntary, anonymized near-miss reporting system with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Board could compel documents and testimony from private companies and individuals through subpoenas enforceable in federal court, but information voluntarily handed over would be shielded from public records laws and lawsuits, and the Board's reviews would not assign legal fault. This bill creates a federal board that can subpoena software, internet, cloud, and IT companies for records and testimony after major cyber incidents, while offering these firms a confidential, liability-free channel to report near-misses.
Where it stands: The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on September 24, 2026. It now sits at committee, the first and most common choke point in the Senate, where most bills never advance to a markup.

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