AI Policy Radar

    Texas TRAIGA

    Proof that red-state AI regulation looks different — intent-based prohibitions rather than duty-of-care regimes — yet still creates real obligations. With Colorado, it brackets the design space federal preemption fights will test.

    What it is

    Texas's AI law (effective 1 Jan 2026) takes an intent-based approach: it prohibits developing or deploying AI to unlawfully discriminate, manipulate behavior, or produce CSAM/deepfake abuse, imposes disclosure duties on government AI use, and creates a regulatory sandbox.

    Who is affected

    Companies deploying AI in Texas; frontier developers and GenAI providers in California; Illinois employers

    Key obligations

    • Prohibited AI uses: behavioral manipulation, unlawful discrimination (intent-based), certain sexual content
    • Government agencies must disclose AI interaction to consumers
    • Biometric identifier limits for government; AG enforcement with cure period; sandbox program

    Compliance dates

    1 January 2026

    Texas TRAIGA in effect

    Texas's Responsible AI Governance Act took effect, alongside California's SB 53 (frontier transparency), AB 2013 (training-data disclosure) and Illinois's AI employment-discrimination law — the largest single wave of US state AI law to date.

    Recent signals

    • 1 October 2026

      Connecticut's AI and online safety law takes effect

      Public Act 26-15 and companion privacy amendments took effect, covering AI chatbot disclosures, facial recognition and surveillance pricing.

    • 30 September 2026

      California enacts SB 574 on lawyers' and arbitrators' use of generative AI

      The first state statute on attorney AI use. It bars delegating the practice of law to generative AI and requires lawyers to verify citations and disclose AI use in court filings. Arbitrators may not delegate decisions to AI. It takes effect 1 January 2027.

    • 21 September 2026

      New York sets frontier developer registration for November

      Governor Hochul announced that frontier AI developers must register with the state from November 2026 under the RAISE Act, with full duties from January 2027.

    • 9 September 2026

      California signs SB 813 and AB 1405 on independent AI verification

      Governor Newsom signed the first US laws creating accredited AI verification organisations and standards for AI auditors, calling on the federal government to follow.

    Related instruments

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