State-level AI regulation under threat from Repubs again

"The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are trying again to eliminate state-level AI regulations in favor of a federal standard. The plan faces opposition from many state governments and civil-society organizations, while AI vendors have welcomed it."

"Not a party to be dissuaded by their own long-held view that states' rights to self-determination should preempt federal overreach, Republicans are trying two different approaches to getting a state-level AI regulation ban on the books after failing to pass the measure as a rider on Trump's budget reconciliation bill over the summer."

"Trump came out in support of the congressional measure, posting on his Truth Social platform that overregulation of AI threatens to undermine the industry's growth. "We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes," Trump said. "We can do this in a way that protects children AND prevents censorship.""

Republicans in the House are pursuing a ban on state-level AI regulation to create a single federal standard, attempting to attach the ban to the 2026 NDAA after a failed budget-rider effort. The Senate passed the NDAA without an AI ban amendment, and House leaders say language is under discussion. The Trump administration is reportedly drafting an executive order directing the Justice Department to form a task force to challenge state AI laws and asking Commerce to report on state AI laws. State governments and civil-society groups oppose the preemption, while AI vendors have welcomed the federal approach.

Read at Theregister