States Continue to Focus on AI Early in 2026

Artificial intelligence, arguably the biggest issue for state lawmakers the past two years, is shaping up to be a primary topic for state legislation in 2026 as well.

According to the LexisNexis® State Net® legislative tracking system, more than 150 bills concerning AI have been pre-filed or introduced for this year’s session in 19 states, with several legislatures taking a particular interest in the rapidly advancing technology.

The Ohio legislature already has five AI-related bills before it. New York, six. Washington and New Hampshire, seven each. Indiana, eight. Florida, 14. Missouri, 26.

Last month we predicted AI would continue to be the hottest topic under capitol domes this year, despite an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Dec. 11 undercutting state regulation of the technology. It’s still unclear how the president’s action will impact state AI legislation this year, but for the moment state lawmakers are still showing a strong sense of urgency around the issue.

Quick Start for AI Legislation in 2026

Two weeks into the new year, more than 150 bills dealing with artificial intelligence have been prefiled or introduced in 19 states, according to the LexisNexis State Net legislative tracking system.

AI in Therapy and Insurance Under Microscope

The new bills seek to address AI in a variety of contexts, but there are some common themes.

Several states, for example, will consider proposals to regulate AI chatbots, particularly those that interact with children. Those bills are:

• California SB 867 by Sen. Alex Padilla (D);

• Florida HB 659 by Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D);

• Michigan SB 760 by Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D);

• Missouri HB 1742 by Republican Rep. Scott Miller (R) and HB 2032 by Rep. Melissa Schmidt (R);

• Pennsylvania HB 2006 by Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D); and

• Washington HB 2225 by Rep. Lisa Callan (D) and its companion measure SB 5984 by Sen. Lisa Wellman (D).

Another group of proposals would regulate or ban the use of AI in therapy:

• Florida SB 344 by Sen. Erin Grall (R);

• Indiana HB 1201 by Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R);

• Missouri HB 2318 by Rep. Pattie Mansur (D); and

• Pennsylvania HB 2100 by Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D).

A couple of bills are also aimed at ensuring people, and not AI, are responsible for denying insurance claims:

• Florida HB 527 by Rep. Hillary Cassel (R), and

• New Hampshire HB 1406 by Rep. Alicia Gregg (D).

AI in Law and Other Fields Also Targeted

Other noteworthy bills include:

• Missouri HB 1747 by Rep. Scott Miller (R), which would allow individuals to bring a cause of action against another person or entity for failing to disclose that content was AI generated or modified;

• Missouri HB 1913 by Rep. Cecelie Williams (R), which would create an offense and civil penalties for disclosing “intimate digital depictions”;

• Missouri SB 1395 by Sen. Curtis Trent (R), which targets “the unauthorized practice of law as it relates to the use of artificial intelligence”;

• New Mexico HB 28 by Rep. Christine Chandler (D), which would require appeals when “consequential decisions” are made by AI;

• New York AB 9219 by Asm. Brian Cunningham (D), which would require the consultation of experts in professional fields when AI is developed for use in those fields;

• Ohio HB 628 by Rep. Adam Mathews (R), which would create an independent verification organization license for verifying AI risk mitigation;

• South Carolina HB 4657 by Rep. Brandon Guffey (R), which would require risk mitigation policies for critical infrastructure overseen by AI; and

• Washington HB 2157 by Rep Cindy Ryu (D), which would regulate the development, deployment and use of high-risk AI.

A haul of this size two weeks into the new year suggests AI will remain a top priority for state legislators throughout 2026.

—By SNCJ Correspondent BRIAN JOSEPH

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