Senators propose new reporting rules for Pentagon AI contractors
A bipartisan bill would require large Defense Department AI contractors to disclose security practices and report serious model incidents.
Oversight tied to Pentagon contracts
Senators Jim Banks and Kirsten Gillibrand have proposed the Insider Threat Reporting and Security Guidance Act of 2026, DefenseScoop reported on October 8. The bipartisan bill would direct the defense secretary to establish reporting requirements and voluntary guidance for covered AI contractors. DefenseScoop says the proposal targets companies with Defense Department AI deals worth at least $100 million, subject to other conditions in the bill. Covered contractors would disclose security practices, access to model weights and training, suspected breaches or sabotage, and certain concerning model behaviors. This is oversight of suppliers serving the Pentagon, not a general rule for every AI developer.
Deadlines in a proposed bill
Under the reported text, national-security incidents such as theft of model weights would need to be reported within 72 hours of discovery. Material model vulnerabilities or troubling behavior would be reported within seven days after they are identified as material, while contractors would periodically certify the accuracy of their disclosures. DefenseScoop quoted both senators on the security rationale for the measure. Congress has not enacted it, and the reporting duties and thresholds may change if the bill advances.