Amid the ongoing debate over Colorado’s first artificial intelligence (AI) regulations, state Senate leaders made major adjustments to the committee’s structure on Saturday. Organized by Denver’s Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, the decision was driven by a desire to break the deadlock among the Democratic majority over advances in AI policy.
The extraordinary move included a change in the Senate Budget Committee, allowing the panel to have a 5-2 Democrat majority, and moving from the previous 4-3 make. In particular, State Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Democrat from Greenwood Village and chairman of the Joint Budget Committee, has been removed from the committee. Such central restructuring is rare and suggests a focused effort to facilitate the passage of a single legislative proposal.
Rodriguez Senate Bill 4 aims to redistribute regulatory liability related to AI technology, placing more expectations on developers rather than the various entities deploying such technology, including schools and local governments. The bill faces delays in the Senate Approval Committee due to uncertainty about whether sufficient votes are available to move it forward. Concerns centered around the bridge, which were considered a potential detractor.
With the inclusion of newly appointed Democrats, Sens. Katie Wallace and Mike Weissman seem more likely to help advance the measure. The committee is expected to deliberate on the bill soon, along with anticipated amendments following debate among lawmakers.
Due to prolonged negotiations, the special session, which began Thursday, is projected to be extended until at least Tuesday, unless there is a decision to abandon efforts to amend AI regulations. Initially, Saturday was considered a potential conclusion to the special session, subject to prompt legislative action.
In an interview, Rodriguez defended the reorganization, suggesting that the urgency of the situation passing the Senate Budget Committee and the amount of bills ensured such a measure. However, the underlying goal of fostering progress on the AI bill was clear.
Bridges expressed optimism that changes to the committee will stimulate debate that needs to be changed, and expressed hope for a positive outcome. Meanwhile, Rodriguez showed that the ongoing negotiations between the governor’s office and the tech industry were intended to create amendments to the bill that addressed the concerns of various stakeholders. Despite these arguments, he demonstrated his commitment to avoid eschewing the demands to loosen regulations entirely.
Rodriguez played a pivotal role in creating last year’s original AI law along with governors and industry representatives, all aimed to address preconceived notions of regulatory challenges. However, initial attempts to amend the law at regular legislative meetings earlier this year failed, leading to new advocacy for further revisions.
Gov. Jared Police was convened to urge lawmakers to reconsider the AI Act during special sessions and address the $750 million budget deficit caused by changes in tax policy primarily due to federal law passed in July.
In addition to Rodriguez’s bill, House Bill 1008 is being discussed simultaneously. The bill, sponsored by a bipartisan group, has sought to manage AI technology under existing civil rights and consumer protection laws, with the support of the Colorado Independent AI Coalition and local shopping app Ibotta. However, they have recently proposed to extend the effective date of the current AI Act to October 2026. This step is intended to allow for more comprehensive legislative rewrite during the regular sessions that begin in January.
As the clock ticked at the special session, House Bill 1008 awaits preliminary discussion at the Full House, initially postponing Saturday until Sunday. Meanwhile, two Republican-sponsored bills aim to prove democratic control over both chambers of Congress and amend the AI Act that faced early firing of the committee.
Lawmakers will meet again Sunday at 10am to continue deliberations.
