Sen. Johnson proposes K-12 AI task force; committee forwards bill to education panel

Senator Johnson introduced Senate Bill 2059 on the committee floor, saying the bill “sets up a task force to look at how K through 12, and specifically K through 12, can implement AI in education.” The Technology Committee voted to send the measure to the education committee for further consideration.

The bill, Johnson said, largely repeats language from a prior bill that cleared the Senate but did not reach a floor vote in the House. Johnson told the committee the task force is intended to identify ways to make AI resources available to school districts that “don't normally have resources.” He said the task force will work with school districts and technology stakeholders and return recommendations for policy moves to the legislature.

Senator Johnson said the bill also incorporates an amendment from Senator Blackman to ensure the task force’s membership includes representatives from different school districts so the group better reflects the state’s range of needs. A committee member asked where the task force’s report would be filed; Johnson said the findings will be provided to multiple recipients and later confirmed the recommendations would be sent to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House.

Committee members did not request further amendments during the discussion. A voice vote was taken and the committee agreed to send SB 2059 to the education committee.

The bill’s current language, as described at the committee meeting, is focused on study and recommendations: it creates an appointed task force to assess K–12 implementation of AI, gather input from districts and technology staff, and report back to legislative leaders.