Lawmakers introduce cloud security, data center, AI and Technology Office bills

U.S. lawmakers introduced technology-focused bills on Monday and Thursday covering cloud-based infrastructure cybersecurity, data-center transparency, artificial intelligence use by human traffickers, and a Congressional Office of Technology, Nextgov.com reported.

Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., introduced his measure on Monday, asking NIST to create new standards aimed at improving cybersecurity for cloud-based infrastructure. Those standards would shape a FedRAMP update designed to strengthen disclosures about cybersecurity for federal cloud providers. The bill also backs the use of artificial intelligence tools to detect unusual cyber activity within cloud environments. It would establish a voluntary Cloud Security Certification Program run by accredited testing labs.

McCormick said cloud-based systems store and provide access to financial, medical, national security, and critical infrastructure information. He said adversaries such as China seek to exploit vulnerabilities and steal sensitive American information. He said the country cannot leave Americans exposed to these threats.

On Thursday, Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., introduced legislation that requires public disclosure of data center ownership, resource consumption, and community impact. Current and proposed data center operators would submit information to the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration for collection. They would report expected energy and water usage and disclose any non-disclosure agreements signed with government officials. Vindman said the legislation will shine a light on the rapidly growing data center industry and increase public visibility into it.

Operators must file a report when a site sits within 1,000 feet of a home, hospital, national park, or school. Operators that fail to comply could face daily fines of up to $1 million. Vindman said communities need clear, reliable information about how data centers affect local infrastructure and household costs. He said the legislation will hold companies accountable and give Virginians information to judge local data center projects.

On Thursday, House members introduced a bipartisan bill to establish an independent Congressional Office of Technology that would give Congress unbiased information on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. It would update the former congressional Office of Technology Assessment, which operated from 1974 to 1995. Reps. Mark Takano, D-Calif., Sean Casten, D-Ill., Bill Foster, D-Ill., Don Beyer, D-Va., and Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., introduced the legislation.

Takano said Congress requires independent experts to guide decisions about emerging technology. He said the office would allow Members of Congress to collaborate with experts from different fields while evaluating emerging technology. He said it will give Members informed, unbiased feedback on legislation and help them understand national technology issues in detail, and said he is proud to lead the bipartisan effort with colleagues who value independent scientific expertise.

Rep. James Gallagher, R-Calif., introduced legislation on Thursday regarding AI use by human traffickers. It asks the State Department to review whether the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons has specialized technical expertise. He said traffickers rely on new technology to target children. He said the government needs to ensure that people working against trafficking have the expertise to spot threats and stop them.

A 2025 State Department report warned that emerging technologies have the ability to automate and expand victim grooming.

Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at improving wireless emergency alerts. It would require the FCC to set performance goals and standards for wireless emergency alerts, using metrics that cover alert speed, coverage area, and geographic targeting. Mullin said the federal government needs to upgrade the Wireless Emergency Alert system so communities can trust that alerts will arrive on time and be accurate when they matter most.

The FCC would examine better geotargeting, longer messages, multilingual choices, and device compatibility. Wireless providers would need to make emergency alert labels clearer under the measure.