Bipartisan US House Members Propose Bill to Ban State AI Regulation, Drawing Mixed Reactions from Tech and Consumer Groups

(Central News Agency, Washington, D.C., comprehensive foreign news, June 4) Two bipartisan U.S. House representatives on Tuesday unveiled a draft bill that would prohibit states from regulating the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models. The bill has drawn broad support from the tech industry but criticism from consumer advocacy groups.

According to a Reuters report, the draft bill, introduced by Democratic Representative Lori Trahan and Republican Representative Jay Obernolte, would ban states from enacting laws that target AI model development.

Under the draft, states would not be allowed to require testing or review of AI models before they are released. However, the draft notes that states could still regulate the actual application of AI technology.

In a joint statement, the two representatives said the bill aims to create a national framework that can "protect Americans, support innovation, and ensure the United States leads the world in shaping these technologies."

Obernolte stated that the draft was released to gather input from stakeholders, experts, and the public to refine the content before formally introducing the bill.

The U.S. Congress has struggled for years to pass legislation addressing AI safety concerns.

Consumer rights advocacy group Public Citizen criticized the bill, stating it would lead to "regulation relying mostly on the federal government, which has repeatedly failed to enact meaningful AI safeguards in the past."

The group also said the draft fails to address issues such as "algorithmic discrimination, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, consumer fraud, youth mental health harms, AI companionship, deepfake abuse, and worsening market monopolies."

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), which represents many large tech companies, welcomed the draft, emphasizing that "Congress must establish national standards that promote the responsible research, development, deployment, and adoption of AI."

The White House urged Congress in March to pass legislation that would take precedence over state laws. President Donald Trump this week signed an executive order authorizing a 30-day preliminary government review before AI developers release their most powerful models.

Last December, Trump stated that if state AI regulations were deemed by the federal government to be detrimental to maintaining U.S. dominance in AI technology, the government would suspend broadband construction subsidies for that state. (Editor: Shi Shi) 1150605