A coalition of more than 140 organizations is calling on House leaders to reject tax and spending bills that would bar states from imposing restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) models for the next ten years.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and other congressional members, the coalition argued that a decade-long pause on state AI regulations would diminish accountability in technology development.
“This moratorium means that even if companies deliberately create algorithms that lead to foreseeable harm, they cannot be held accountable nor must they explain their detrimental technology to lawmakers or the public,” the letter emphasizes.
The signatories of this letter include tech workers, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and artists. Notable groups involved are Amazon employees advocating for climate justice, a civic union focused on progressive consumer rights, and representatives from the workforce at Google’s parent company.
The provisions within President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful” bill would halt the enforcement of any laws or regulations concerning AI models, systems, or automated decision-making frameworks.
This proposal includes some exceptions for “removing legal failures” or assisting with the operations of AI systems, as well as for processes like licensing, permitting, zoning, procurement, and reporting.
It would also allow state laws that aren’t overly burdensome in terms of design, performance, data processing, documentation, civil liability, taxation, or fees regarding AI systems.
The House Budget Committee passed the cleaning tax bill on Sunday, although the more extensive bill is still pending a comprehensive vote.
The letter’s authors assert that the aim of state-level regulations is to safeguard residents against the “risks posed by unregulated or insufficiently regulated AI technology.”
“History from past technological revolutions, like the Industrial Revolution and the advent of automobiles, has shown us the importance of protecting individuals from potential harms posed by new technologies, which includes accountability for causing damage while fostering innovation,” the letter continues.
“In essence, trust in AI is crucial for its benefits to be realized.”
This debate unfolds against a broader backdrop concerning federal authority over AI regulations, with several industry leaders advocating for a varied set of rules that states would need to adhere to.
Proponents of allowing states to regulate often highlight the lack of significant legislative movement on emerging technologies in Congress.
“The failure of Congress to pass comprehensive laws undermines protections, leaving millions of Americans susceptible to existing risks, including discrimination and the unpredictable dangers that arise with this nascent industry,” the letter states.
However, the proposed measures may encounter obstacles as the larger bill awaits a vote in the House. If it passes, it would then need to navigate the Senate, where some members have voiced concerns about procedural rules that could complicate matters.
Some are referring to the Bird Rule, which disallows the inclusion of unrelated issues in budget settlement bills.
