Sacramento, California. – Given the state’s role as home to many major AI companies, a bipartisan coalition of California lawmakers is urging Congress to strike a disrespectful clause from a clean-up federal tax package that will stop state and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for the next decade.
The two sentence length provisions they oppose appear deep within the “”One big beautiful bill act“A 1,116-page Republican-led tax bill that passed the House with one vote early on May 22nd.
If enacted, this provision prohibits states, cities, and counties from passing or enforcing “laws or regulations regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems” until 2035.
In a letter to Congressional leaders, 35 California lawmakers, including 32 Democrats and three Republicans, warned that the two-section AI clause threatens public safety, undermines innovation and violates federalist principles.
“The proposed moratorium that has no relation to the budget can put the safety and rights of American citizens at risk, failing to maintain the US legacy of promoting innovation through responsible regulations, undermining national sovereignty.” The lawmaker wrote in the first letter he obtained. San Francisco Chronicle. “In the absence of federal AI laws, states must maintain their constitutional authority to protect citizens from AI-related harm.”
California State Senator Rebecca Bauer Kahan (D-Orinda-16), the lead author of the letter and chairman of the Privacy and Consumer Protection Commission, said the provisions have gone too far. Still, she tried to provide some kind of guarantee. “We’re not going to do anything to put an industry that’s very important to the economy at tech – it’s definitely influential, but I think we can keep it at bay and pass a good law.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also opposes the federal proposal to start. “The proposal puts Congressional Republicans at risk for California law. Chronicle. “They put the public at risk.”
California, the fifth largest economy in the world, is the national leader in AI regulation. According to Stanford University 2025 AI IndexCalifornia leads with 22 laws, followed by Utah with 12 and Maryland with eight. As for the total amount of laws passed by the state from 2016 to 2024, California once again surpasses the rankings with 42 bills, followed by Maryland (17), Virginia (17), and Utah (17).
Nevertheless, Governor Gavin in September 2024 Newsam “Sweep” AI safety bill rejected. The bill would have forced large companies to carry out risk assessments on AI models, but Newsom said it imposed an excessive standard. If it passes, the impact of the bill could have “been stretching beyond the boundaries of state.” Brussels EffectShaping AI governance nationally and internationally, according to Stanford’s 2025 AI Index.
Newsom has signed three bills to fight content from the Deepfake election Last year, it was law. AB 2655, AB 2839, and AB 2355 require a large online platform to remove or label election content that has been digitally altered during specified periods, expand the time frame for banning the distribution of false AI-generated election content, and require that election advertisements using AI-generated or modified content include appropriate disclosure.
In October 2024, a federal judge in California issued a temporary injunction to one of the state’s new AI laws just two weeks after it was signed. In his ruling, Judge Mendes cited a vague definition of the law of “harmful” portrayal as a potential threat to constitutionally protected speech. The law was used to prosecute X users after he had I posted a deepfark featuring Kamala Harris.
According to Balotpedia’s political database, there are 26 laws in place this year that govern different types of deepfakes.
Attorney Generals of 37 statesHe has expressed concern that a full federal ban on state law, including 15 Republicans, would hamper aggressive state efforts to ensure accountability in the use of AI.
House Energy and Commercial Committee Ranking Members Blast AI Provisions. Ranking members of the Commercial, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) I said it.”
“Big tech free governance (SICS) gives children and families to take advantage of children and families by protecting consumers from the potential dangers of the new artificial intelligence system. It’s a huge gift for big technology, showing Republicans care more about profits than people. National privacy from last year’s pass, Republicans chase the states and leave consumers unprotected online.”
The Chamber of Commerce supports regulations.
140 groups have signed a letter against the regulationsCalifornia Brennan Judicial Center for Technology and Democracy (Quote), California Nurse Association/National Nurse United, California School Employee Association, Children’s Advocacy Institute, University of San Diego School of Law, Consumer Action Consumer Federation, Common Sense Media, Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy, Los Angeles Alliance for Los Angeles Alliance (between California)
Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23)co-chairs computer scientist Bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Task Force and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA-36)said it is the job of Congress to regulate AI.
“No one believes AI is unregulated.” Obernolte said at the markup hearing. But he said it should be a legislative job, not a state. “Congress needs to put that action together,” he said, enacting AI laws and backing up federal regulators with a comprehensive AI framework. “No one wants to continue doing this for 10 years.”
The provision could face procedural obstacles for the Senate. Senators can remove AI languages under Bird Rules.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who has raised doubts about the survival of the clause, told The Associated Press:
In 2024, US federal agencies introduced 59 AI-related regulations. It was published by two times the number in 2023 by institutions.
Only five states before 2024 – California, Michigan, Washington, Texas, Minnesota – We had enacted laws to regulate deep fakes in elections. In 2024, 15 more states implemented similar measures, including Oregon, New Mexico and New York. Additionally, by 2024, 24 states had passed regulations targeting deepfakes.
For independent voters who prioritize innovation, safe elections, and accountability, this issue raises important questions. Should Washington, DC block state and local regulations even before establishing national standards? Or, such movements include legitimate national efforts to address rapidly evolving technology.
