Explainer · Updated May 2026
How Are States Regulating AI?
Why most U.S. AI law is being written at the state level — and which states are leading.
The big picture
More than 1,500 AI bills have been introduced across at least 45 states. With Congress moving slowly, states are doing the bulk of the work — much like they did with privacy law a decade ago.
States to watch
Colorado's AI Act, New York's RAISE Act, and the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act each take different approaches to oversight. California is the largest market, and its legislature is actively debating frontier-model safety rules.
The federal preemption fight
If Congress passes a single national framework that overrides state enforcement, most of these state laws would lose effect. That is the central policy stake of the 2026 cycle.
Further reading
Last updated May 2026