Tech bills of the week: Improved biological data for research; Section 702 reform; and more

AI-ready biological datasets

On Thursday, Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., jointly introduced the AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act, a new bill that aims to set standards for biological data so that it can be used to train AI models tailored to working on biological and medical breakthroughs. 

Citing biological data as a strategic asset that can enhance U.S. national security posture, the bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to “establish definitions, standards, resources, and frameworks” for biological datasets for research use. 

In the House, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Jay Obernotle, R-Calif., introduced companion legislation.

“Ushering in the Golden Age of Innovation is about more than just winning the global tech race — it’s about securing the safety and prosperity of our country for generations to come. Our bill is an important step in this effort and will better ensure the United States has the infrastructure in place to lead the 21st century,” Young said in a press release.

Reigning in Section 702

A bicameral team of lawmakers are taking on reforming the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, in an effort to plug the longstanding loophole that allows the government to purchase Americans’ data from databrokers without a warrant, as well as reauthorize and further reform Section 702 of that law, which allows law enforcement to collect data on non-U.S. persons abroad.

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, joined Reps. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., to introduce an updated Government Surveillance Reform Act on Thursday. 

The bill looks to impose stronger access controls on citizen data and private communications, specifically by requiring the federal government to get warrants before accessing U.S. persons’ communications gathered incidentally under Section 702, with an exception for emergency scenarios. It also prohibits federal agencies from using surveillance on a foreign person overseas as a pretext to then collect data on a U.S. person they are communicating with.

Beyond Section 702, the bill repeals the “make everyone a spy” expansion established in 2024 that allows the government to force companies to secretly spy on its behalf, among other changes. It also places warrant requirements on a variety of methods law enforcement agencies use to collect data on Americans and prevents them from using non-statuatory authorities to collect such information.

“Advances in technology, from AI to the explosion of Americans’ data available for purchase, have far outpaced the laws protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties,” Wyden said in a press release. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill as a leader of the Ben Franklin caucus, which stands for the proposition that liberty and security aren’t mutually exclusive.”

Lawmakers have recently targeted overhauling Section 702 as authorization for the authority approaches expiration, with Lee introducing the SAFE Act alongside Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., last month to mandate warrants for Section 702 searches that target U.S. persons. 

Section 702 is set to sunset on April 20 of this year without further reauthorization. 

Fortifying the workforce from AI

On March 11, Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D,, introduced the Economy of the Future Commission Act, a bill that would establish a cohort of policymakers to devise steps Congress can take to fortify the U.S. workforce against negative economic headwinds from artificial intelligence by strengthening workforce training efforts.

If passed, the commission would be first tasked with compiling and publishing an interim report that forecasts expected employment changes resulting from increased AI use and adoption. The report would also offer resources for the public to better understand AI.

Within 13 months, the commission would deliver a final report with recommendations specifically for legislators to author policy that addresses issues like AI education and workforce training, reskilling programs, unemployment insurance policies, taxation policies and other strategies to help the U.S. stay at the forefront of the global AI and tech race.

“America’s workforce must be equipped to lead the transformation of the economy happening due to AI. This commission would help keep America ahead of our global competitors and keep America prosperous and innovative,” Rounds said in the press release.

Membership of the commission would include members of Congress from both parties, along with experts from industry, academia and government agencies whose areas of expertise range from labor, commerce, economic policy and education.

AI transparency in Medicare Advantage 

Sen. Marshall Roger, R-Kan., submitted an amendment to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Monday that, among other things, requires more transparency regarding how often artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies are involved in the approval and denial of requests made through a Medicare Advantage Plan. 

The amendment also asks for clarity on how the determinations of “routinely approved items and services made solely through automation and artificial intelligence” impact Medicare Advantage patient access, focusing on potential disparities in access for rural and low-income beneficiaries.