Artificial Intelligence legislative efforts increase across the US

At a glance

• A bipartisan group of US lawmakers released a discussion draft of AI legislation.
• In California, legislators proposed several bills addressing AI and technology.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order on AI and workforce disruption.
• Colorado revised key provisions of the 2024 Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act.

At the federal level, a bipartisan group of legislators released a discussion draft of AI legislation on June 4, 2026, titled the 'Great American AI Act'. The discussion draft addresses frontier AI governance; the workforce; cybersecurity; and research, development, and international cooperation. The bill has not yet been formally introduced in Congress.

In California, several new AI and technology laws have been introduced in February 2026. On February 2, 2026, California legislators introduced SB 951, which would establish the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, and SB 947, which addresses automated decision systems (ADS). AB 1883 was introduced on February 12, 2026 and focuses on workplace surveillance tools. 

Key provisions, if enacted, would include the following:

• SB 951: Employers would be required to provide 60 days' notice before displacing 50 or more workers during any 30-day period, with a specific notice requirement when displacement is caused in whole by AI.

• SB 947: Employers would be prohibited from relying solely on an ADS for disciplinary, termination, or de-activation decisions.

• AB 1883: Employers would be prohibited from using facial recognition technology to make inferences about a worker for employment decisions.

On May 21, 2026, California Governor Newsom issued EO N-6-26 on AI and workforce disruption, directing state agencies to prepare for potential AI‑driven economic disruption.

Finally, on May 14, 2026, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB 26-189 into law, which revises key provisions of the 2024 Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (Colorado AI Act). Unlike the Colorado AI Act, which regulated all 'high-risk' AI systems, SB 26-189 applies only to automated decision-making technologies that are used to make 'consequential decisions' and eliminates the affirmative duty to prevent algorithmic discrimination.