A bipartisan pair of US House lawmakers released draft legislation on June 4, 2026 that would prohibit states from regulating the development of artificial intelligence models — a move welcomed by tech firms and sharply criticized by consumer rights advocates. It is the latest front in the fight between state-level AI rules and a push to keep oversight in Washington.
The Draft Bill
The draft, released by Democrat Lori Trahan and Republican Jay Obernolte, would bar states from passing laws targeting AI model development. Under the measure, states could not require models to undergo testing before AI firms release them to the public. The pair said the goal is a national framework that protects Americans, supports innovation, and ensures the US leads the world in shaping the technology.
Obernolte said the draft is being released to hear from stakeholders, experts, and the public so the legislation can be strengthened before it is formally introduced.
What It Would and Wouldn’t Do
The bill draws a line between the model and its use:
- Would block — state laws governing AI model development, including pre-release testing and review requirements
- Would not block — state regulation of how AI technology is used by companies and consumers
That distinction aims to pre-empt the model-level mandates adopted in several states while leaving consumer protections largely intact.
Support From Tech
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), which represents major tech firms, praised the effort. “Congress must set a national standard that enables responsible AI development, deployment, and adoption across the American economy,” the group said. The industry has long argued that a patchwork of 50 state AI regimes would fragment the market and slow deployment.
Criticism From Advocates
Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen pushed back, saying the bill would leave oversight largely to a federal government that has repeatedly failed to pass meaningful AI protections. It noted the bill does not address algorithmic discrimination, housing and employment discrimination, consumer fraud, youth mental health harms, AI companions, deepfake exploitation, or growing market concentration — and urged stronger state-level safeguards instead.
The Broader Fight
The draft lands after the White House urged Congress in March to enact legislation pre-empting state AI rules, and days after President Trump signed an order asking leading AI developers to voluntarily submit their most capable models for government cybersecurity testing, with agencies getting up to 30 days for review. It also follows Trump’s December threat to withhold federal broadband funding from states whose AI laws his administration judges to be holding back American AI dominance. Whether the Senate can pass a companion measure remains an open question.