In the News: US House Passes 10-Year Moratorium on State AI Laws    

May 29, 2025

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, lawmakers are being pressed to answer a key question as who should and shouldn’t regulate AI. A newly passed federal bill in the House of Representatives, officially known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” proposes a 10-year ban on state-level AI regulations. But is blocking local protections the right move? Our #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders break down what this could mean for the future of AI innovation, accountability, and online safety for young people and vulnerable communities.

What you need to know:

A provision in the “Big Beautiful Bill,” that recently passed the House of Representatives and is now headed to the Senate, would put a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations, overriding hundreds of existing state laws currently passed or under consideration.

Our gut reactions:

  • Having 50 different states deal with regulating AI makes sense why it’s a concern. 

  • We’d be less worried if there were a solid federal plan in place to regulate AI.

  • Taking away regulatory barriers to tech for 10 years seems like a gift to tech companies.

  • If the issue is truly that state laws would make things too complex, then why hasn’t a clear federal alternative been proposed?

  • Stripping away state control doesn’t seem right.

  • A lot can change in 10 years.

We think it’s headed in the…

  • Right direction

  • Wrong direction

  • Too soon to tell

What to look out for:

  • If it were to pass, what would it mean for addressing AI-related harms? 

  • Could companies still be sued, or would they only be responsible for innovating without being held accountable for harms?

References

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