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.

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Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing on Online Scams, Crypto Fraud, and Digital Extortion: The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement will hold a hearing on "Online Scams, Crypto Fraud, and Digital Extortion: An Examination of How Transnational Criminal Networks Target Americans" on April 21, 2026, in Cannon House Office Building 310.
• House Energy and Commerce Hearing on Modernizing Satellite Licensing: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing on the SAT Streamlining Act, focusing on modernizing satellite licensing, on April 21, 2026, in Rayburn House Office Building 2123.
• House Rules Committee Meeting on American Broadband Deployment Act and Related Legislation: The House Rules Committee will meet on April 20, 2026, in Capitol H-313 to consider H.R. 2289 (American Broadband Deployment Act), H.R. 4690, H.R. 5587, H.R. 1897, and a resolution supporting rural communities.

Federal Government News

FCC Seeks Comments to Advance Drone Operations and Spectrum Access

The Federal Communications Commission released a request for public input on advancing U.S. drone technology, with a focus on regulatory reforms to support airspace sovereignty and innovation. The notice, reflecting President Trump's Executive Orders, covers proposals to expand spectrum access for drones, both licensed and unlicensed, and accelerate implementation of the 5030-5091 MHz band for drone operations. Other issues under review include modernizing spectrum access rules, streamlining experimental licensing, and establishing drone innovation zones. The Covered List was updated to restrict foreign-manufactured drone components, citing national security. Comments are due by May 1, 2026, with reply comments by May 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Issues Direct Final Rule to Remove Obsolete Wireline Regulations

The FCC published a Direct Final Rule rescinding 386 wireline rules deemed obsolete, spanning 89 provisions across several parts of the Code of Federal Regulations. The measure aims to reduce regulatory burdens, support infrastructure deployment, and foster network modernization. The rule is scheduled to take effect June 15, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are filed by May 6, 2026. The FCC notes the action introduces no new information collection requirements and is classified as 'non-major' under the Congressional Review Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Requests Comments on Proposed and Ongoing Information Collections

The FCC invited comments on several information collection processes affecting telecommunications relay services (TRS) under Section 225 of the Communications Act. Collectively involving over 165,000 respondents and 1.76 million annual responses, these collections cover user registration, reporting, customer proprietary network information safeguards, and procedures for service interruptions. The latest reforms target enhanced service quality and reduced fraud, with recent orders addressing E911 services, data breach reporting, and privacy measures for video relay service providers. Comments are due by June 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

TSA Proposes Revision to Cybersecurity Measures for Surface Transportation

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced its intent to revise the cybersecurity-related information collection for surface transportation, including railroads and transit. The revision covers data on cybersecurity coordinators, incident response, contingency planning, and vulnerability assessments. An updated requirement mandates non-U.S. citizen coordinators to be members of NEXUS or Global Entry. TSA estimates 846 participants, with an annual burden of 210,684 hours. Comments are due by June 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Releases 2026 Economic Report of the President

The Council of Economic Advisers published the 2026 Economic Report of the President on April 13, 2026. The report features analysis across 14 topics, including the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, regulatory reform, AI leadership, industrial supply chains, workforce trends, and the economic effects of DEI hiring and ESG investment. It provides data-driven outlooks on trade, defense, and industrial policy.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025

S.3404, Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025, advanced in the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which ordered the bill reported with a favorable amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Sources: www.congress.gov

National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026

S.3597, the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026, was ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025

H.R.2289, American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 532, in the House of Representatives.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Mystic Alerts Act

H.R.7022, Mystic Alerts Act, focused on updates to telecommunications warning systems, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 534.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act of 2025

H.R.5877, Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act of 2025, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 530.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

California Launches Digital Tools for State Services and Cybersecurity

California expanded its digital government modernization, introducing new DMV virtual check-in systems, deploying machine learning for water data, and issuing barcoded IDs to prevent identity theft.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Illinois Expands IBM Partnership for Quantum and AI Workforce

Governor JB Pritzker announced the expansion of the IBM–Illinois Discovery Accelerator Institute, strengthening Illinois’ quantum and AI research programs and workforce training through collaboration with IBM and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

One Biosciences to Establish U.S. Hub in Albany, NY

France-based One Biosciences will open its first U.S. laboratory and analytics operation in Albany, New York, adding 42 jobs and leveraging AI for cancer diagnostics with state support.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Anthropic talks to EU, including on its cyber security models, Commission says: Anthropic is in discussions with the European Commission regarding its cybersecurity models and broader regulatory topics.
• Maine Lawmakers Pass Ban on Large Data Centers: Maine legislators approved a bill to ban certain large data centers amid ongoing land use debates.
• US energy regulator to make data center interconnection decision by June: The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will decide on data center grid interconnection processes by June.
• Data centers are spreading around the country. Now, data-center bans are, too: As data centers proliferate, some U.S. regions are enacting restrictions or bans citing resource and local impact concerns.
• 5 worrisome privacy clauses hidden in smart home devices: An examination of hidden privacy terms users accept when setting up common smart home gadgets.

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