Bipartisan AI draft proposes three-year preemption of state laws – Roll Call

Source Domain: rollcall.com

Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) introduced a discussion draft bill called The Great American Artificial Intelligence Act on Capitol Hill, focused on AI model safety and workforce impacts.
The 269-page bill includes a three-year preemption of state laws, which generated significant pushback as it would prevent states like California from regulating AI development directly.
The bill mandates large AI frontier developers to establish public frameworks detailing potential catastrophic risks, and stipulates developers to retain an Independent Verification Organization for semi-annual compliance audits.
It proposes to formally establish the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) to develop guidelines and security standards, while authorizing annual funding of $100 million for three years.
The legislation is designed to protect against AI-related national security threats and establish accountability for advanced AI systems, though it faces criticism from groups like Americans for Responsible Innovation for preempting state AI legislation.
Other features include terminating CAISI after three years, establishing whistleblower protections, penalties for certain AI-facilitated financial crimes and impersonation, and setting up an AI Workforce Research Hub to study workforce impacts.

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