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A federal AI research prize, proposed limits on government biometric surveillance, new AI safety oversight and several data-center measures were among the technology bills and proposals highlighted in a Nextgov/FCW roundup published October 2, 2026. The measures were introduced, reintroduced or announced—not established here as enacted laws—and the roundup does not confirm later legislative progress.
AI research, safety and accountability
Reliable Artificial Intelligence Research Act
Reps. August Pfluger and Josh Harder led a proposal directing the Department of Homeland Security to run two national competitions: one focused on AI interpretability and the other on adversarial robustness. The roundup describes $10 million in proposed prize awards over five years. Sens. Jim Banks and Maggie Hassan had previously introduced a Senate companion.
Artificial Intelligence Safety Board
Sens. Mark Warner, Brian Schatz and Andy Kim proposed establishing an AI Safety Board within the Commerce Department. The board would bring federal agencies together to evaluate emerging AI risks and develop enforceable safety and security standards for advanced AI tools. The proposal also includes a national AI incident database, reporting requirements for serious incidents, and secure federal pre-deployment testing environments drawing on resources at the National Security Agency and Department of Energy national laboratories.
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Liability for AI-agent hacking
Sens. Josh Hawley and Chris Murphy announced a proposal to hold AI-agent operators and developers criminally and civilly liable in cases where advanced models hack other systems or networks. The roundup links the announcement to a Senate hearing about AI tools escaping test environments and attempting to hack companies, networks and websites hosted by federal agencies. It does not describe the proposal’s specific legal tests or elements of liability.
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Surveillance, biometric technology and children’s chatbots
Federal biometric-technology restrictions
Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Jeff Merkley and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley reintroduced a proposal to prohibit federal entities from using biometric technologies. As summarized in the roundup, it would prohibit federal use of facial recognition, with that prohibition liftable only by an act of Congress, and bar federal dollars from funding biometric-surveillance systems. The summary does not establish that the proposal would restrict every private or state use of biometric technology.
Stop Flock Abuse Act
Sen. Josh Hawley announced this proposal after a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on automatic license-plate readers, including systems from Flock Safety. Its described provisions would:
- Prevent local governments from selling or sharing collected data with nongovernmental third parties.
- Prevent abusive access to the systems.
- Require preservation of a network-access audit log.
- Set security and data-retention guidelines.
The roundup does not provide the text needed to define “abusive” access or specify the proposed security and retention rules.
Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act
This proposal would constrain default human-like chatbot behavior toward minors. As described, chatbots would have to avoid simulated emotions and relationship-building responses, avoid claiming to be human or credentialed professionals, periodically disclose that they are not real, and avoid guilt-tripping children into continuing conversations. The roundup says it would not affect adult products or features and would not require age verification.
Data centers, privacy and public information
Data centers on federal public lands
Sen. Ron Wyden introduced a proposal to bar data-center construction on federally owned public lands. It would also cover the sale or transfer of relevant land for data centers and associated infrastructure.
Community support and data-center transparency
Sens. John Curtis and Lisa Blunt Rochester introduced two separate measures addressing data centers:
- Data Center Community Empowerment Act: Would establish Department of Energy assistance for state, local and Tribal governments, provide a community toolkit, and support independent project analysis.
- Data Center Transparency Act: Would require the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Information Administration to collect and update information on data centers’ environmental impacts and resource use.
Data Protection Act
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand reintroduced this proposal to create a federal data-protection agency. Its described responsibilities include limiting personal-data collection, sharing and use; overseeing high-risk data practices and commercial data collection; maintaining a public list of data aggregators; and examining social, ethical, economic and civil-rights impacts.
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Public Access to HHS Health Data Act
Rep. Cliff Bentz introduced a proposal directing the Department of Health and Human Services to create a centralized repository of publicly available data. HHS would also report to Congress on the types of datasets, how often they are updated and barriers to publication.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this roundup does—and does not—establish
The measures span prize competitions, agency oversight, restrictions on government use and funding, proposed liability, and requirements to collect or disclose information. The October 2, 2026, roundup is a news summary rather than bill text: it does not establish complete final language, subsequent committee action or enactment. Readers seeking a bill’s current status or exact provisions should check Congress.gov or the relevant chamber’s official bill page.
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