AI moratorium was never a ‘long-term solution,’ lawmaker says
AI moratorium was never a ‘long-term solution,’ lawmaker says
Publish Date: 2026-02-05 14:41:00
Source Domain: www.nextgov.com
Summary:
Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., emphasized that the 2025 AI moratorium was misunderstood and stressed the importance of federal leadership in regulating artificial intelligence during a talk at the Incompas Policy Summit. Obernolte clarified that the moratorium was intended as a non-binding provision to prompt discourse and highlight the need for the federal government to establish a regulatory framework rather than preventing state-level regulations entirely. He argued that while states should have room to innovate, there must be an overarching national law that preempts interstate commerce issues to avoid conflicting laws. Although the moratorium failed to pass into the budget reconciliation bill, President Trump’s subsequent executive order aligning with these principles reassured Obernolte that there will be designated areas where state regulations can proceed without federal interference. Obernolte hopes that, rather than a full moratorium, a comprehensive regulatory framework can be adopted to delineate federal and state regulatory roles effectively.
Key Points:
- The 2025 AI moratorium was initially intended as a non-binding provision to encourage dialogue on AI regulation rather than an actual long-term stop to state regulations.
- Rep. Obernolte believes the federal government should lead in establishing a clear regulatory framework that preempts interstate commerce issues.
- The executive order signed by President Trump emphasized certain exempted areas where state regulation would be permitted, aligning with Obernolte’s vision for coordinated federal and state regulations.
