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Committee advances bill restricting state IT contracts with firms tied to mainland China research
Summary
A bill that would require contractors to verify they do not operate AI or software research facilities in Mainland China or sanctioned countries was advanced by the Technology Committee, though the sponsor said he needs additional vetting before any floor action.
A committee member introduced a bill that would amend two code sections to bar the Department of Information Technology from entering contracts with businesses unless the contract contains written verification that the business does not own, operate, substantially fund, or house research entities whose primary purpose is software development or artificial intelligence research and development present in Mainland China or Bureau of Industry and Security‑sanctioned countries.
The sponsor told the committee the text arrived late for drafting deadlines and that he was not yet certain the legislation is necessary. He said he was ‘‘leaning against it’’ at present and planned additional vetting, and that he would not advance the measure to the floor unless he returned to the committee for further discussion.
Despite those reservations, the committee moved the bill forward. The sponsor asked for committee leniency to let him work through concerns and said he would brief the committee before any floor action.
Committee action: a motion to pass the bill out of committee was called and the measure advanced by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Notes and follow‑up: the sponsor asked for time to further review the measure’s necessity and to consult with colleagues before bringing any floor filing. The transcript does not specify the exact code sections amended or the bill number beyond the sponsor’s spoken reference; those details were not provided in the record.
