This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning ICT, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, social media platforms, digital privacy, AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, Web3 and cryptocurrencies. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don't miss this week's updates in Finance and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our ICT & Cybersecurity - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee: Scheduled Business Meeting on Cybersecurity, Satellite, and Quantum Bills: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a business meeting on March 25, 2026, to consider legislation on consumer product safety standards, mental health warnings for digital platforms, restrictions on FCC satellite licensing, cybersecurity for commercial satellite systems, and the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act.
• House Financial Services Committee: Hearing on Tokenization and Capital Markets Modernization: On March 25, 2026, the House Financial Services Committee will conduct a hearing titled “Tokenization and the Future of Securities: Modernizing Our Capital Markets” featuring witnesses from SIFMA, the Blockchain Association, DTCC, and Nasdaq.
• Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity: DoD Network Security and IT Operations Review: The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity will examine the enterprise security and information technology operations of Department of Defense networks and systems on March 24, 2026, with a closed session to follow.
• House Financial Services Subcommittee: Oversight Hearing on Financial Technology and Digital Asset Regulation: The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence will hold a hearing on March 26, 2026, to review how regulators adapt to technological innovation.
• House Armed Services Subcommittee: Assessment of the Department of Defense Information Technology Posture: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation will hear testimony on the Department of Defense information technology posture on March 26, 2026. The Honorable Kirsten Davies, DoD CIO, is scheduled to testify.

Federal Government News

FCC Proposes Comprehensive Modernization of Internet-Based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Rules

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at overhauling its internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) rules, including IP Relay and Video Relay Service (VRS). The proposal covers extensive topics such as integrating automatic speech recognition (ASR), setting objective service quality metrics, addressing fraud risks, and streamlining provider registration and certification. The FCC is seeking comment on compatibility between IP Relay and Real-Time Text (RTT) technology, the potential requirement for built-in VRS captioning functionality, allowing broader international dialing for U.S. residents, adjustments to call center requirements, and a range of technical and administrative reforms. The NPRM identifies potential changes to cost recovery, compliance reporting, numbering requirements, anti-fraud safeguards, and performance testing methods. Public comments are due by April 16, 2026, and reply comments by May 18, 2026. The official Federal Register filing contains the full list of topics for which input is sought.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Releases National Artificial Intelligence Legislative Framework

President Donald J. Trump’s administration announced a national AI legislative framework outlining six key objectives: child safety tools for digital environments, economic growth through AI, protection of intellectual property rights, prevention of AI-enabled censorship, removal of innovation barriers, and preparation of an AI-ready workforce. The framework seeks to harmonize federal policy to prevent state-by-state legal conflicts impacting technology companies and platforms. The administration calls on Congress to work collaboratively in translating these objectives into actionable legislation. The policy aims to balance fostering innovation in the AI sector with addressing public concerns and supporting U.S. leadership globally.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

SEC Receives Nasdaq TNO Cross Connect Connectivity Service Proposals

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has received a series of filings from Nasdaq’s affiliated exchanges—including Nasdaq ISE, PHLX, Stock Market LLC, MRX, GEMX, and Texas—proposing to implement the TNO Cross Connect connectivity service within their New Jersey data center campus. This service will require all telecommunications network operators (TNOs) connecting with Nasdaq data center clients to use a standardized, Nasdaq-managed cabling pathway from the telco carrier cage to a Nasdaq-managed distribution point. The exchanges highlight improved connectivity consistency, oversight, and operational transparency as the purpose of this infrastructure change. Implementation is planned for Q2 2026, and fees will be established in subsequent filings. The SEC notices invite public comment and specify the proposed changes became effective immediately under relevant sections of the Securities Exchange Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

FCC Seeks Comments on Public Safety Band Management Information Collection

The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice regarding its ongoing information collection requirements for public safety applicants and incumbents in the 4.9 GHz band. The process involves submitting detailed technical data into the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) to enable frequency coordination and manage public safety deployments. According to the filing, 190 respondents are estimated to provide this data annually, with a total annual burden of 3,040 hours. Comments on the burden estimates and ways to reduce paperwork are solicited through May 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Veterans Affairs Requests Input on Information Security Incident Reporting Requirements

The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Acquisition and Logistics announced its intent to renew the information collection associated with VA Acquisition Regulation contract clause 852.204-71, covering information and system security reporting. The requirements obligate contractors with access to VA systems to report security or privacy incidents, data breaches, and changes in personnel access. The notice, which follows a prior 60-day comment period, estimates 8,223 respondents will submit reports annually for a total burden of 4,069 hours, or 30 minutes per respondent. Public comments are accepted until April 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Privacy, Security, and National Digital Privacy Agency Bill Introduced

Bill 8014 proposes to establish individual rights for personal information privacy, implement privacy and security standards for covered entities, and create a Digital Privacy Agency to enforce these requirements. The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and several other committees for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

DIGITAL Applications Act Advances to Senate

The DIGITAL Applications Act (H.R. 1665), which concerns science, technology, and communications, was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for further action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Canadian Digital Trade Practices Investigation Bill

Bill 8025 seeks to direct an investigation into Canadian digital trade practices and related concerns. The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

AI Speech-to-Text Legal and Ethical Issues Task Force Proposal

Senate Bill 4154 proposes establishing a task force to study legal and ethical issues in the use of AI speech-to-text and automatic speech recognition within the U.S. judicial system. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2025

Senate Bill 1269 aims to promote U.S. leadership in technology standards. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held hearings on the measure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• 'Great crackdown': Russia tightens the screws on the internet: Russian authorities implement stricter internet controls, drawing international industry scrutiny.
• Ukraine opens battlefield AI data to allies: Ukraine is making AI-driven battlefield data available to allied governments for defense coordination.

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