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

"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."

"The bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish definitions, standards, resources, and frameworks for biological datasets for research use, citing biological data as a strategic asset that can enhance U.S. national security posture and enable AI models tailored to biological and medical breakthroughs."

"The Government Surveillance Reform Act imposes stronger access controls on citizen data and private communications 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, while prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing Americans' data from databrokers without warrants."

Senators Todd Young and Ben Ray Luján introduced the AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act to establish standards for biological datasets used in AI model training for medical breakthroughs, designating biological data as a strategic national security asset. The National Institute of Standards and Technology would develop definitions, standards, resources, and frameworks for research datasets. Companion House legislation was introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna and Jay Obernotle. Separately, a bicameral group of lawmakers introduced the Government Surveillance Reform Act to address FISA Section 702, requiring warrants for federal access to Americans' communications collected incidentally during foreign surveillance and closing the loophole allowing warrantless data purchases from databrokers.

Read at Nextgov.com