GOP sneaks decade-long AI regulation ban into spending bill | Sweeping provision would halt all local oversight of AI by US states.
Artificial regulation
GOP sneaks decade-long AI regulation ban into spending bill
Sweeping provision would halt all local oversight of AI by US states.
Benj Edwards
–
May 13, 2025 10:58 am
|
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On Sunday night, House Republicans added language to the Budget Reconciliation bill that would block all state and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years, 404 Media reports.
The provision, introduced by Representative Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, states that "no State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems during the 10 year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act."
The broad wording of the proposal would prevent states from enforcing both existing and proposed laws designed to protect citizens from AI systems.
For example, California's recent law requiring health care providers to disclose when they use generative AI to communicate with patients would potentially become unenforceable.
New York's 2021 law mandating bias audits for AI tools used in hiring decisions would also be affected, 404 Media notes.
The measure would also halt legislation set to take effect in 2026 in California that requires AI developers to publicly document the data used to train their models.
The ban could also restrict how states allocate federal funding for AI programs.
States currently control how they use federal dollars and can direct funding toward AI initiatives that may conflict with the administration's technology priorities.
The Education Department's AI programs represent one example where states might pursue different approaches than those favored by the White House and its tech industry allies.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, chaired by Guthrie, scheduled consideration of the text during the budget reconciliation markup on May 13.
The language defines AI systems broadly enough to encompass both newer generative AI tools and older automated decision-making technologies.
The reconciliation bill primarily focuses on cuts to Medicaid access and increased health care fees for millions of Americans.
The AI provision appears as an addition to these broader health care changes, potentially limiting debate on the technology's policy implications.
The move is already inspiring backlash.
On Monday, tech safety groups and at least one Democrat criticized the proposal, reports The Hill.
Rep.
Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), the ranking member on the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, called the proposal a "giant gift to Big Tech," while nonprofit groups like the Tech Oversight Project and Consumer Reports warned it would leave consumers unprotected from AI harms like deepfakes and bias.
Big Tech’s White House connections
President Trump has already reversed several Biden-era executive orders on AI safety and risk mitigation.
The push to prevent state-level AI regulation represents an escalation in the administration's industry-friendly approach to AI policy.
Perhaps it's no surprise, as the AI industry has cultivated close ties with the Trump administration since before the president took office.
For example, Tesla CEO Elon Musk serves in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), while entrepreneur David Sacks acts as "AI czar," and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen reportedly advises the administration.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared with Trump in an AI datacenter development plan announcement in January.
By limiting states' authority over AI regulation, the provision could prevent state governments from using federal funds to develop AI oversight programs or support initiatives that diverge from the administration's deregulatory stance.
This restriction would extend beyond enforcement to potentially affect how states design and fund their own AI governance frameworks.
Benj Edwards
Senior AI Reporter
Benj Edwards
Senior AI Reporter
Benj Edwards is Ars Technica's Senior AI Reporter and founder of the site's dedicated AI beat in 2022.
He's also a tech historian with almost two decades of experience.
In his free time, he writes and records music, collects vintage computers, and enjoys nature.
He lives in Raleigh, NC.
51 Comments
Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/gop-sneaks-decade-long-ai-regulation-ban-into-spending-bill/" style="color: #0066cc;">https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/gop-sneaks-decade-long-ai-regulation-ban-into-spending-bill/
#gop #sneaks #decadelong #regulation #ban #into #spending #bill #sweeping #provision #would #halt #all #local #oversight #states
GOP sneaks decade-long AI regulation ban into spending bill | Sweeping provision would halt all local oversight of AI by US states.
Artificial regulation
GOP sneaks decade-long AI regulation ban into spending bill
Sweeping provision would halt all local oversight of AI by US states.
Benj Edwards
–
May 13, 2025 10:58 am
|
51
Credit:
Getty Images
Credit:
Getty Images
Story text
Size
Small
Standard
Large
Width
*
Standard
Wide
Links
Standard
Orange
* Subscribers only
Learn more
On Sunday night, House Republicans added language to the Budget Reconciliation bill that would block all state and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years, 404 Media reports.
The provision, introduced by Representative Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, states that "no State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems during the 10 year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act."
The broad wording of the proposal would prevent states from enforcing both existing and proposed laws designed to protect citizens from AI systems.
For example, California's recent law requiring health care providers to disclose when they use generative AI to communicate with patients would potentially become unenforceable.
New York's 2021 law mandating bias audits for AI tools used in hiring decisions would also be affected, 404 Media notes.
The measure would also halt legislation set to take effect in 2026 in California that requires AI developers to publicly document the data used to train their models.
The ban could also restrict how states allocate federal funding for AI programs.
States currently control how they use federal dollars and can direct funding toward AI initiatives that may conflict with the administration's technology priorities.
The Education Department's AI programs represent one example where states might pursue different approaches than those favored by the White House and its tech industry allies.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, chaired by Guthrie, scheduled consideration of the text during the budget reconciliation markup on May 13.
The language defines AI systems broadly enough to encompass both newer generative AI tools and older automated decision-making technologies.
The reconciliation bill primarily focuses on cuts to Medicaid access and increased health care fees for millions of Americans.
The AI provision appears as an addition to these broader health care changes, potentially limiting debate on the technology's policy implications.
The move is already inspiring backlash.
On Monday, tech safety groups and at least one Democrat criticized the proposal, reports The Hill.
Rep.
Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), the ranking member on the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, called the proposal a "giant gift to Big Tech," while nonprofit groups like the Tech Oversight Project and Consumer Reports warned it would leave consumers unprotected from AI harms like deepfakes and bias.
Big Tech’s White House connections
President Trump has already reversed several Biden-era executive orders on AI safety and risk mitigation.
The push to prevent state-level AI regulation represents an escalation in the administration's industry-friendly approach to AI policy.
Perhaps it's no surprise, as the AI industry has cultivated close ties with the Trump administration since before the president took office.
For example, Tesla CEO Elon Musk serves in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), while entrepreneur David Sacks acts as "AI czar," and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen reportedly advises the administration.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared with Trump in an AI datacenter development plan announcement in January.
By limiting states' authority over AI regulation, the provision could prevent state governments from using federal funds to develop AI oversight programs or support initiatives that diverge from the administration's deregulatory stance.
This restriction would extend beyond enforcement to potentially affect how states design and fund their own AI governance frameworks.
Benj Edwards
Senior AI Reporter
Benj Edwards
Senior AI Reporter
Benj Edwards is Ars Technica's Senior AI Reporter and founder of the site's dedicated AI beat in 2022.
He's also a tech historian with almost two decades of experience.
In his free time, he writes and records music, collects vintage computers, and enjoys nature.
He lives in Raleigh, NC.
51 Comments
Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/gop-sneaks-decade-long-ai-regulation-ban-into-spending-bill/
#gop #sneaks #decadelong #regulation #ban #into #spending #bill #sweeping #provision #would #halt #all #local #oversight #states
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