Lawmakers consider permanent commission and inventory to track state use of artificial intelligence

Representative Lombardi told the committee that House Bill 5123 would require the Department of Administration to inventory state agencies’ use of artificial intelligence and would establish a permanent commission to monitor AI use in state government and recommend policy changes.

“...this act would require the Department of Administration to provide an inventory of all state agencies using AI and would establish a 13 member permanent commission to monitor the use of AI in state government and make recommendations for state government policy and other decisions,” Lombardi said, adding that the commission would file an annual report to the governor and the General Assembly.

Members questioned whether the bill’s definitions and membership should align with federal guidance and whether the commission should include outside technical experts. Representative Spears said the measure is timely and asked whether the bill’s AI definition aligns with federal definitions; Representative Lombardi responded that the language was likely derived from language used by legal counsel. Several members urged the inclusion of outside technical expertise; Representative Poplavskis and others recommended avenues for municipal participation and more frequent inventory updates, given how rapidly the technology evolves.

No final action was taken; the committee’s earlier procedural vote to hold all bills for further study remains in effect. Committee members asked staff to consider acceptable-use frameworks, acceptable-use permits, or other governance tools that would allow departments to use vetted AI systems while limiting unreviewed deployments.

The committee will accept additional written input and may schedule follow-up hearings to refine membership, reporting frequency and any acceptable-use framework for departments.