A U.S. Legislative Proposal

The Analog Revival Act of 2029 is a proposed federal legislative framework for the United States inspired by the principles of the Analog Revival Charter. It demonstrates how the movement’s global principles could be translated into public policy within the American federal system.

The Act is one possible national expression of the Analog Revival. Other countries and regions may develop their own approaches according to their institutions, laws, cultures, and priorities.

The Analog Revival Act of 2029

To strengthen human capability alongside technological progress through education, community, craftsmanship, cultural preservation, repair, economic opportunity, and human agency.

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Analog Revival Act of 2029.”

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) Technological progress, including artificial intelligence and automation, has delivered significant benefits and should continue to be encouraged as a driver of innovation, productivity, and economic opportunity.

(2) Sustained engagement in hands-on learning, craftsmanship, repair, physical reading, and face-to-face collaboration supports cognitive development, creativity, problem-solving, and social connection.

(3) Communities that preserve practical skills, cultural institutions, and physical gathering spaces are more resilient and more socially connected.

(4) Individuals benefit from meaningful control over how digital systems shape their attention, decisions, and daily lives.

(5) The preservation of human capability alongside technological progress serves the long-term interest of the Nation.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are to:

(1) expand opportunities for experiential learning and practical skill development;

(2) strengthen community spaces for making, repair, culture, and civic life;

(3) preserve tangible cultural heritage;

(4) support repair, restoration, craftsmanship, and the small enterprises that sustain them;

(5) protect meaningful human review and individual choice in automated systems; and

(6) ensure that technological progress and human capability advance together.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) HUMAN CAPABILITY.

The term “human capability” means the capacity of individuals and communities to develop and exercise practical skills, creativity, critical thinking, craftsmanship, problem-solving, human judgment, cooperation, and adaptability through learning, experience, and human interaction.

(2) EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING.

The term “experiential learning” means learning through direct participation, practical activity, experimentation, creation, physical interaction, collaboration, or application of knowledge to real-world situations.

(3) TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE.

The term “tangible cultural heritage” means physical materials, objects, collections, artifacts, books, photographs, recordings, film, manuscripts, instruments, tools, and artworks that preserve or transmit cultural or historical knowledge.

(4) REPAIR.

The term “repair” means maintenance, restoration, refurbishment, troubleshooting, replacement of components, and other activities that restore or extend the useful life of a product or object.

(5) COVERED DIGITAL PLATFORM.

The term “covered digital platform” means an online or mobile service that:

(A) provides algorithmically personalized content, recommendations, or engagement features;

(B) is offered to the general public in the United States; and

(C) meets user-scale or public-impact thresholds established by the Federal Trade Commission by regulation under section 402.

TITLE I — HUMAN CAPABILITY AND EDUCATION

SEC. 101. HUMAN CAPABILITY EDUCATION GRANTS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT — The Secretary of Education may establish a competitive grant program for K–12 public schools and nonprofit educational organizations to support experiential learning and practical skill development.

(b) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES — Grants under this section may fund:

(1) handwriting and written expression;

(2) physical books and printed materials;

(3) woodworking, metalworking, and traditional crafts;

(4) textiles, sewing, and related skills;

(5) ceramics and physical making;

(6) gardening, horticulture, and environmental learning;

(7) music and musical instruments;

(8) laboratory experimentation;

(9) mechanical skills and maintenance;

(10) repair and restoration;

(11) cooking and practical household skills;

(12) project-based and hands-on learning;

(13) collaborative physical activity;

(14) artistic production; and

(15) practical technical education.

(c) INTEGRATION WITH TECHNOLOGY — Funded programs may incorporate digital tools, artificial intelligence, automation, and other technologies where those tools support the educational objectives of the program.

(d) LOCAL CONTROL — Nothing in this section shall require a school to adopt a particular curriculum, teaching method, or technology.

(e) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal education programs.

SEC. 102. INTERGENERATIONAL SKILL CORPS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT — The Secretary of Education may establish a voluntary national mentorship program providing stipends to retired educators, tradespeople, artists, engineers, veterans, and other qualified professionals who teach practical skills through participating schools, libraries, museums, and community organizations.

(b) SKILLS — Programs may include instruction in:

(1) cooking;

(2) repair;

(3) gardening;

(4) craftsmanship;

(5) photography;

(6) music;

(7) traditional trades;

(8) mechanical skills; and

(9) other comparable practical knowledge.

(c) PRIORITY — In awarding assistance under this section, the Secretary may give priority to programs serving underserved and rural communities.

(d) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal education and workforce programs.

SEC. 103. ADULT AND LIFELONG LEARNING.

(a) PROGRAMS — The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, may support programs that provide adults with opportunities to develop or renew practical, technical, creative, craftsmanship, and repair capabilities through community education, workforce development, and lifelong learning.

(b) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal education and workforce programs.

TITLE II — COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND TANGIBLE HERITAGE

SEC. 201. COMMUNITY LEARNING AND CULTURAL SPACES.

(a) GRANTS — The Secretary of Education, in coordination with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, may award competitive grants to public, nonprofit, educational, cultural, and community organizations to establish or strengthen physical spaces that support learning, making, repair, creativity, and community interaction.

(b) ELIGIBLE SPACES — Funded spaces may include:

(1) community learning centers;

(2) libraries;

(3) makerspaces;

(4) repair workshops;

(5) tool libraries;

(6) community studios;

(7) music and performance spaces;

(8) educational gardens;

(9) cultural centers;

(10) community workshops; and

(11) other shared physical spaces serving substantially similar purposes.

(c) MATCHING — The Federal share of a project supported under this section may not exceed 75 percent of project costs, except that the Secretary may reduce or waive matching requirements for economically distressed communities.

(d) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal education, cultural, and community-development programs.

SEC. 202. TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE.

(a) GRANTS — The Institute of Museum and Library Services may administer competitive grants for the preservation, restoration, digitization, study, and public accessibility of tangible cultural heritage.

(b) ELIGIBLE MATERIALS — Eligible materials may include:

(1) physical books;

(2) manuscripts;

(3) photographs;

(4) film;

(5) sound recordings;

(6) newspapers and periodicals;

(7) historical documents;

(8) instruments;

(9) artworks;

(10) tools;

(11) archives; and

(12) physical collections.

(c) ACCESS — Recipients shall, where appropriate, make preserved materials reasonably accessible to the public, researchers, students, or educational institutions.

(d) DIGITAL PRESERVATION — Digital preservation may be supported as a means of protecting and expanding access to tangible cultural heritage.

(e) ORIGINALS — Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as requiring physical materials to be replaced by digital copies.

(f) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal cultural and library programs.

SEC. 203. LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS.

(a) PRIORITY — Federal cultural programs may prioritize projects that expand direct public engagement with books, collections, artifacts, exhibitions, archives, performances, and other forms of tangible culture.

(b) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal cultural programs.

SEC. 204. COMMUNITY AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION.

(a) ACTIVITIES — Federal grants under this title may support activities involving:

(1) volunteering;

(2) civic participation;

(3) intergenerational learning;

(4) community repair;

(5) local cultural activities;

(6) live music and performance;

(7) collaborative projects;

(8) public education;

(9) community gardening;

(10) practical emergency preparedness; and

(11) other activities conducted in shared physical settings.

(b) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal community, cultural, and civic programs.

TITLE III — REPAIR, RESTORATION, AND THE TANGIBLE ECONOMY

SEC. 301. NATIONAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION PROGRAM.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT — The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, may establish competitive programs supporting repair, restoration, maintenance, reuse, and preservation of consumer goods, equipment, instruments, tools, and other tangible property.

(b) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES — Assistance may support:

(1) repair services;

(2) restoration;

(3) maintenance;

(4) refurbishment;

(5) conservation;

(6) repair training;

(7) acquisition of repair equipment;

(8) community repair facilities;

(9) technical documentation;

(10) apprenticeships and skills development; and

(11) related activities that expand lawful repair capability.

(c) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal economic-development and small-business programs.

SEC. 302. REPAIR ACCESS.

(a) IN GENERAL — Federal agencies shall, consistent with safety, cybersecurity, intellectual-property, privacy, and national-security requirements and subject to applicable Federal law, support policies that facilitate reasonable access to:

(1) replacement parts;

(2) repair documentation;

(3) diagnostic information;

(4) service information;

(5) repair tools; and

(6) other resources reasonably necessary for lawful repair.

(b) INDEPENDENT REPAIR — Federal policy shall support the ability of consumers and independent repair providers to compete for lawful repair and maintenance services.

(c) FTC GUIDANCE — The Federal Trade Commission may issue advisory guidance to manufacturers concerning voluntary practices that expand lawful repair access.

(d) WARRANTIES — Nothing in this section shall diminish protections otherwise available under Federal warranty law.

(e) LIMITATIONS — Nothing in this section shall require disclosure of:

(1) trade secrets;

(2) information whose disclosure would create a substantial cybersecurity risk;

(3) information protected by law; or

(4) information whose disclosure would create an unreasonable risk to safety.

SEC. 303. TANGIBLE ENTERPRISE PROGRAM.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT — The Small Business Administration may establish competitive assistance programs for qualified small businesses whose principal activities include repair, restoration, craftsmanship, preservation, or production of tangible goods.

(b) ELIGIBLE ENTERPRISES — Eligible enterprises may include:

(1) independent bookstores;

(2) repair businesses;

(3) restoration businesses;

(4) musical-instrument makers and repairers;

(5) recording studios;

(6) printmakers;

(7) artisan manufacturers;

(8) conservation workshops;

(9) traditional craft businesses;

(10) community workshops;

(11) tool libraries; and

(12) other substantially similar enterprises.

(1) equipment;

(2) training;

(3) apprenticeships;

(4) modernization;

(5) preservation of specialized skills;

(6) accessibility improvements;

(7) expansion of repair capacity;

(8) energy-efficient equipment;

(9) business development; and

(10) other purposes consistent with this title.

(d) FUNDING — Activities under this section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for applicable Federal small-business programs.

TITLE IV — HUMAN AGENCY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

SEC. 401. HUMAN REVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT AUTOMATED DECISIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL — Where a Federal agency uses an automated system to make or materially support a decision that has a significant legal, economic, employment, educational, or access-to-service consequence for an individual, the agency shall provide a meaningful opportunity for human review.

(b) HUMAN REVIEW — Review shall be conducted by a qualified person with authority to consider relevant information and, where appropriate, modify or reject the automated determination.

(1) national security;

(2) emergency response;

(3) fraud prevention;

(4) cybersecurity;

(5) public safety; or

(6) other circumstances established by Federal law.

SEC. 402. USER CHOICE AND PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY.

(a) USER CONTROLS — The Federal Trade Commission shall establish regulations requiring covered digital platforms to provide users with accessible controls concerning personalized content delivery and engagement features.

(b) REQUIRED CONTROLS — Regulations under subsection (a) shall require covered digital platforms, where technically practicable, to provide users with options to:

(1) disable infinite scrolling;

(2) disable autoplay;

(3) select a chronological presentation of content; and

(4) modify or disable other personalized engagement features designated by the Commission by regulation.

(c) RULEMAKING — The Commission shall issue a proposed rule not later than 18 months after the date of enactment and shall finalize the rule not later than 24 months after the date of enactment.

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE — Regulations issued under this section shall take effect not earlier than 12 months after publication of the final rule.

(e) SCOPE — The Commission shall establish thresholds for covered digital platforms based on user scale or public impact, taking into account:

(1) the number of United States users;

(2) the nature and scale of algorithmic personalization;

(3) the extent to which the service uses engagement-directed features; and

(4) other factors relevant to the public impact of the service.

(f) NO PARTICULAR TECHNOLOGY — Nothing in this section shall require a covered digital platform to adopt a particular technological architecture or algorithm.

(g) REPORTING — Covered digital platforms shall publish annual reports, in aggregated and anonymized form, concerning the availability and use of controls required under this section.

(h) FTC REPORT — The Commission shall submit an annual report to Congress concerning implementation and compliance under this section.

SEC. 403. DIGITAL DISCONNECTION.

(a) FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT — Federal agencies shall establish reasonable policies allowing employees, subject to operational requirements, to disconnect from routine work-related digital communications outside established working hours.

(b) PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT STUDY — The Secretary of Labor shall study digital-disconnection policies in private employment and submit recommendations to Congress not later than 2 years after the date of enactment.

(1) emergency duties;

(2) public safety;

(3) on-call responsibilities;

(4) international operations;

(5) essential services; and

(6) other legitimate operational requirements.

SEC. 404. TRANSPARENCY OF AUTOMATED SYSTEMS.

(a) FEDERAL AGENCIES.— Federal agencies using artificial intelligence or other automated systems in significant decision-making shall, consistent with applicable law and legitimate security requirements, provide individuals with understandable information concerning—

(1) the existence of the automated system;

(2) the general purpose for which it is used;

(3) the role of human decision-makers; and

(4) available procedures for review or appeal.

(b) LIMITATIONS — Nothing in this section shall require disclosure of classified information, protected trade secrets, security-sensitive information, or other information protected by Federal law.

TITLE V — TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM

SEC. 501. TECHNOLOGICAL FREEDOM.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to:

(1) prohibit or restrict artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digitization, scientific research, or technological innovation;

(2) require an employer to use human labor where technology provides a lawful, safe, efficient, and appropriate alternative;

(3) require an educational institution to use a particular teaching method or technology;

(4) restrict lawful increases in productivity or efficiency; or

(5) establish a general preference for analog, physical, or non-digital technology over digital technology.

SEC. 502. COMPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT.

It is the policy of the United States that technological capability and human capability should develop together.

Federal programs supported under this Act should seek, where appropriate, to ensure that technological tools expand opportunities for individuals to learn, create, exercise judgment, repair, cooperate, and participate.

TITLE VI — IMPLEMENTATION

SEC. 601. EXISTING AUTHORITIES.

(a) IN GENERAL — Federal agencies shall, to the maximum extent practicable, implement this Act through existing authorities and programs.

(b) COORDINATION — The heads of Federal agencies administering programs under this Act shall coordinate, where appropriate, to reduce duplication and administrative burden.

SEC. 602. COMPETITIVE GRANTS.

(a) IN GENERAL — Grants authorized under this Act shall, where practicable, be awarded through competitive procedures.

(b) ELIGIBILITY — Agencies shall establish reasonable eligibility criteria consistent with the applicable program.

(1) local governments;

(2) schools;

(3) libraries;

(4) museums;

(5) nonprofit organizations;

(6) community organizations;

(7) small businesses;

(8) educational institutions; and

(9) other eligible entities.

SEC. 603. ADMINISTRATIVE PROPORTIONALITY.

(a) IN GENERAL — An agency implementing this Act shall administer programs in a manner proportionate to the size, purpose, and expected benefits of the applicable program.

(b) NO DUPLICATIVE SYSTEMS — An agency may not require a recipient to establish a separate compliance, certification, reporting, or recordkeeping system solely for purposes of demonstrating conformity with this Act unless specifically required by the applicable provision of law.

SEC. 604. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

(a) IN GENERAL.— Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment, the President shall submit to Congress a report evaluating implementation of this Act.

(b) CONTENTS.— The report shall include, to the extent information is available through existing Federal programs:

(1) participation in programs established or supported under this Act;

(2) educational outcomes associated with supported programs;

(3) community and cultural preservation activities;

(4) repair and restoration activities;

(5) participation by eligible small businesses;

(6) implementation of human-agency provisions;

(7) administrative costs;

(8) Federal expenditures associated with implementation; and

(9) recommendations for continuation, modification, consolidation, or termination of programs.

(c) NO NEW REPORTING SYSTEM — An agency shall not be required to establish a new data-collection, reporting, or recordkeeping system solely for purposes of preparing the report under this section.

SEC. 605. CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW.

Congress may review programs established or supported under this Act, including based on the report submitted under section 604, through the regular authorization and appropriations process.

Programs may be modified, extended, consolidated, or terminated through subsequent legislation.

TITLE VII — AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 701. AUTHORIZATION.

No separate appropriation is authorized by this Act.

Programs and activities under this Act shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized and made available for the applicable Federal programs, subject to applicable appropriations law.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit Congress from authorizing or appropriating funds for purposes of this Act through subsequent legislation.

TITLE VIII — FEDERALISM, RIGHTS, AND LIMITATIONS

SEC. 801. STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITY.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt, supersede, or limit the authority of a State or local government to enact or enforce laws, regulations, or initiatives concerning:

(1) education;

(2) cultural preservation;

(3) libraries and museums;

(4) community institutions;

(5) repair;

(6) consumer protection;

(7) workforce development; or

(8) other matters within State or local authority,

except to the extent expressly preempted by another Federal law.

SEC. 802. NO PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

Except where expressly provided by another Federal law, nothing in this Act shall be construed to create a private right of action.

SEC. 803. SAFETY, CYBERSECURITY, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

Nothing in this Act shall require access to information, equipment, software, systems, materials, or technologies where such access would—

(1) create an unreasonable risk to public safety;

(2) create a substantial cybersecurity risk;

(3) violate Federal intellectual-property law;

(4) disclose protected trade secrets;

(5) compromise national security; or

(6) otherwise violate applicable Federal law.

SEC. 804. NO MANDATE ON PRIVATE BUSINESSES.

Except where a specific provision of this Act expressly provides otherwise, nothing in this Act shall impose a Federal mandate on a private business.

SEC. 805. NO GENERAL ANALOG PREFERENCE.

Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted as establishing a general Federal preference for analog, physical, manual, or non-digital technologies.

The provisions of this Act concerning tangible and experiential activities shall not be construed to require the use of a less efficient technology where another technology is lawful, safe, and appropriate.

TITLE IX — GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 901. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

SEC. 902. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to:

(1) limit the authority of Congress to enact legislation concerning artificial intelligence, automation, technology, education, labor, consumer protection, or other matters;

(2) limit Federal scientific research;

(3) prevent the adoption of technologies that improve productivity, safety, accessibility, or economic opportunity;

(4) require the preservation of an existing process solely because it is traditional or analog; or

(5) prevent technological innovation from replacing an existing process where such replacement is lawful and otherwise appropriate.

SEC. 903. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act shall take effect on the date of enactment.

Drafted by the Analog Revival movement. This is a model bill for public discussion and is not introduced legislation.