Tech bills of the week: Updated AI innovation; expanding cybersecurity for SNAP; and more

The Future of AI Innovation Act is back

Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., reintroduced their Future of AI Innovation Act on Thursday, a bill that seeks to establish uniform standards for AI research and development, as well as promote innovation in the private sector.

Initially introduced in 2024, the measure aims to support U.S. leadership in AI through multiple vehicles, including public-private partnerships, codification of the Center for Artificial Intelligence Standards and Innovation within the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, increased interagency coordination and international coalitions to further promulgate unifying AI standards and metrics.

“This legislation brings together private sector and government experts to develop voluntary standards for AI, create new assessment tools, and conduct testing that will ensure the United States leads in AI-driven innovation and competitiveness for decades to come,” Cantwell said in the press release. “The NIST Center for AI Standards and Innovation, testbeds at our national labs, and grand challenge prizes will accelerate new advancements while helping companies and consumers better use AI in a safe and secure manner.”

A spokesperson for Young said that the big difference between the two versions of the bill is that the 2026 version reflects priorities outlined in President Trump’s AI Action Plan, as well as the Commerce Department’s pro-innovation rebranding of CAISI.

Cybersecurity for SNAP

Reps. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., introduced a bill Tuesday to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to ensure Electronic Benefit Transfer cards operate with cybersecurity and digital services regulations when used. An equivalent measure was introduced in the Senate, by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Bill Cassidy, R-La., and John Fetterman, D-Pa., on Thursday.

The credit card industry has rolled out chip-enabled and tap-to-pay capabilities for cards over the last…

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