DPA Modernization Act of 2026

Expanded Emergency Response: The President can now use priorities and allocations to address natural disasters and public health emergencies (Section 3).

Resource Security: The Critical Minerals Resilience Initiative aims to ensure the mining and processing of critical materials are not controlled by foreign adversaries (Section s 4, subsection (b)(1)).

Workforce Development: Federal agencies can use financial assistance to recruit, train, place, or retain workers in defense-critical occupations (Section 4, subsection (j)(2)).

Economic Preparedness through Expertise: The National Defense Executive Reserve allows private persons with unique expertise to serve in Federal positions during national defense emergencies (Section 4, Section 208).

Job Protections for Volunteers: Individuals serving in the National Defense Executive Reserve are provided with employment and reemployment protections (Section 4, Section 209(g)).

Restrictions on Market Control: The President's power to control the general distribution of materials in the civilian market is limited to a period of 1 year, with a possible 180-day extension (Section 3).

Investment Limitations: The Government is prohibited from holding 15 percent or more of the equity shares of an entity through equity investments (Section 4, Section 203(a)(7)).

Restrictions on Assistance: Entities in which a "covered individual" (such as the President or a member of the DPA Committee) holds a significant interest are not eligible for assistance (Section 4, Section 209).

Information Privacy Protections: The Act includes a specific restriction that the authority to obtain information may not be used to obtain sensitive personally identifiable information (Section 5, Section 305(f)).