Policy & Government Affairs

Illinois Executive Order for Nuclear Energy Development

Illinois Governor issued an executive order on February 18, 2026, to accelerate the development of new, safe nuclear energy generation within the state. This order aims to support the state's clean energy goals and address projected power shortages.

Executive Order Accelerating Safe Nuclear Energy Generation

Illinois Governor issued Executive Order 2026-01 to accelerate the development of safe nuclear energy generation. The order aims to support the state's clean energy goals by removing restrictions on new nuclear plants and streamlining processes, building on existing legislation like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and the Clean Energy, Reliable Grid Act.

Illinois Executive Order on New Nuclear Energy Production

Illinois Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2026-01 on February 18, 2026, to accelerate the production of new clean nuclear energy in the state. The order aims to address projected capacity shortfalls and support Illinois's clean energy goals by removing restrictions on new nuclear plant construction.

AI Act: Code of Practice on AI-Generated Content

The EU AI Office convened working groups and workshops to gather stakeholder feedback on a draft Code of Practice for marking and labelling AI-generated content under the AI Act. Discussions focused on disclosure obligations, marking techniques, and responsibilities across the AI value chain.

DOJ Audit of FARA System Controls FY2025

The Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report on the National Security Division's security controls and its Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) system for Fiscal Year 2025. The report, dated February 24, 2026, identifies one recommendation.

DOJ OIG Audit of National Security Division Information Security Program

The DOJ Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report (26-029) concerning the National Security Division's information security management program for Fiscal Year 2025. The audit was conducted pursuant to the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014. The report includes 5 recommendations.

GAO Report: HHS Emergency Preparedness Programs Lack Coordination

The GAO has released a report highlighting a lack of coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). The report notes that HHS awarded nearly $900 million in FY2024 to states and localities for these programs but lacks formal mechanisms for coordination, potentially leading to inefficiencies and reduced preparedness.

GAO Recommends Strengthening NOAA Weather Modification Oversight

The GAO has recommended that NOAA strengthen its oversight of weather modification reporting, finding that the agency is not fully meeting its responsibilities. The report highlights significant errors in submitted reports and suggests improvements to data collection and public transparency.

GAO Report: DOD Natural Disaster Tracking and Resilience Planning Needs Improvement

The GAO released a report finding that the Department of Defense (DOD) needs to improve its tracking of natural disaster costs and resilience planning. The report highlights gaps in data collection for various natural disasters and potential inaccuracies in cost reporting, recommending DOD expand its scope and ensure data completeness.

GAO Report on CPSC Oversight of Toxic Substances in Children's Products

A GAO report highlights deficiencies in the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) oversight of toxic substances in children's products. The report notes challenges in enforcing compliance with lead and phthalate standards and recommends improvements to the CPSC's data management and lab oversight processes.