Sponsors (3)
The bill directs modest federal investment to build secure AI-grid testbeds, boost research and workforce capacity, and provide recurring threat intelligence—strengthening grid resilience and academic capabilities—at the cost of up to $100M and a risk that funds concentrate among large research institutions and that reports may overpromise near-term fixes.
Utilities and energy companies, and the customers they serve, will benefit from development of advanced defenses and AI mitigation techniques that improve the resilience of the national power grid against cyberattacks.
Researchers, universities, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, and National Labs will gain eligibility for grants to build secure AI cyber-physical testbeds and expand workforce-development and research capacity.
Congress, federal agencies, and taxpayers will receive regular (annual through 2031) joint reports providing actionable intelligence and recommendations on AI-related threats to critical infrastructure.
Taxpayers will fund the program at a projected cost of up to $100 million over FY2026–2030, increasing federal spending without an immediate revenue offset.
Smaller private-sector innovators and some small institutions may be disadvantaged because funding and resources may concentrate at larger research institutions and National Labs.
Utilities, taxpayers, and policymakers may expect rapid operational fixes from narrowly scoped reports and pilot programs, even though widespread grid protections will require broader utility implementation and extended time.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a CISA/DHS grant program (FY2026–2030) authorizing $100M for secure AI cyber-physical grid testbeds and requires annual joint reports to Congress through 2031.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Pablo José Hernández · Last progress February 25, 2026
Requires the Director of CISA and the Secretary of Homeland Security to set up a grant program within 180 days to fund secure AI cyber-physical testbeds that simulate grid-scale cyberattacks and allow safe AI model training, with awards made each fiscal year 2026–2030. Authorizes $100 million total (FY2026–2030) for those grants and requires annual joint reports to Congress on threats, mitigation progress, and recommendations through 2031.