US HB7696: AI Cyber Grid Protection Resilient Development Act of 2026

In one paragraph

The federal H.R. 7696 (AI Cyber Grid Protection Resilient Development Act of 2026) would require the CISA Director and the Homeland Security Secretary to jointly establish, within 180 days after enactment, a grant program for National Laboratories and higher education institutions to build secure AI cyber-physical testbeds that simulate grid-scale cyberattacks, with $100,000,000 authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Introduced February 25, 2026 and referred to the House Homeland Security Committee, then its Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee; no further action.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None yet: the bill is pending. No duties for businesses. It would create DHS grants for labs and universities; companies could partner with them only as part of a consortium.

Key provisions

1. 1Sec. 2(a): within 180 days after enactment the CISA Director and DHS Secretary shall jointly establish a grant program, with awards for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to develop secure AI cyber-physical testbeds that simulate grid-scale cyberattacks and train AI models safely
2. 2Eligible entities: institutions of higher education (including community colleges and Hispanic-serving institutions), National Laboratories, or consortia of them
3. 3Sec. 2(b): reports to Congress within one year after enactment and annually through 2031 on threats, AI mitigation progress and recommendations
4. 4Sec. 2(c): $100,000,000 authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2026 through 2030

Latest legislative action

Feb 26, 2026. Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Sponsors