Legislative Activity

The Protecting Data at the Border Act establishes strict new rules requiring U.S. government agencies to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before searching the digital contents of U.S. persons' electronic devices at the border. The bill prohibits coercion for access credentials and mandates detailed annual reporting on all digital searches conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, any digital evidence obtained in violation of these new procedures is inadmissible in any legal proceeding.

The ENCRYPT Act of 2025 establishes federal preemption over state laws regarding technology security. This bill explicitly prevents state and local governments from mandating that technology companies build security backdoors or provide decryption capabilities for user data. It also prohibits states from banning the sale of products or services solely because they utilize strong encryption.

The New Collar Jobs Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce by addressing the growing skills gap in high-tech manufacturing. This bill establishes a tax credit for employers providing qualified cybersecurity education and creates a student loan repayment benefit for workers in distressed areas. Furthermore, it increases funding for technology education programs and incentivizes government contractors to invest in employee cybersecurity training.

The DEVICE Act of 2025 establishes new reporting requirements for medical device manufacturers regarding design changes and communications made to foreign healthcare providers, with non-compliance resulting in the device being deemed "adulterated." It also formally classifies rapid assessment tests used for cleaning reusable equipment as medical devices, requiring manufacturers to submit validation data to the FDA. This legislation aims to enhance oversight of device modifications and ensure the accuracy of reprocessing verification tools.

The Prevent Homelessness Act of 2025 establishes the Housing Stabilization Fund to provide emergency financial assistance aimed at keeping extremely low-income and very low-income families housed. This fund will distribute annual grants to local Continuums of Care (CoCs) to cover short-term housing-related costs like rent arrears, utilities, and necessary repairs. The distribution formula prioritizes areas with the highest need, while a competitive portion encourages effective local prevention strategies.

Tyler's Law mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the frequency, cost, and impact of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments during overdose cases. Following the study, the Secretary must issue guidance on whether routine fentanyl testing should become standard practice for overdose patients. This guidance will also address staff training regarding existing drug test panels and the long-term health implications of such testing.

The ProTECT Act of 2025 amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the taking or importing of threatened species trophies. It defines "trophy" as any dead animal or animal part, raw or processed, obtained through hunting. These prohibitions aim to prevent trophy hunting from harming wildlife conservation efforts, disrupting social structures, and masking illegal trade.

The "Improving Contractor Cybersecurity Act" mandates that IT contractors working with executive agencies establish vulnerability disclosure policies that detail reporting processes, protect good-faith researchers, and set timelines for addressing vulnerabilities. Contractors must report new vulnerabilities in commercial software to CISA within 7 days of publishing their vulnerability disclosure policy, and CISA will then communicate these vulnerabilities to relevant databases. These requirements apply to contracts entered into after the enactment of the Act.