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Committee adopts amendment to HB392 and hears R Street Institute urging 'pro‑innovation' AI approach
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 392 clarifying that government entities may adopt policies governing employee use of AI; Alan Smith of the R Street Institute testified in favor of a 'Right to Compute' pro‑innovation approach and warned against heavy-handed regulation.
The House Technology and Innovation Committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 392 that clarifies government entities may still adopt policies governing employees' use of artificial intelligence. Vice Chair Workman presented the amendment to address concerns raised by local governments; the committee adopted it without objection.
Alan Smith, representing the R Street Institute, testified as a proponent after the amendment. He described the Ohio Right to Compute concept as a ‘‘pro‑innovation’’ policy that, he said, aims to preserve freedom to innovate while addressing harms. Smith contrasted U.S. and European approaches to technology policy, arguing that heavy regulation can stifle growth and that Ohio has an opportunity to set a baseline favorable to innovation. He also noted synergies between HB392 and a separate proposal, House Bill 650, to study frontier technologies and quantum computing.
Committee members asked questions about economic development and whether cautious, light‑touch policies have been used to attract startups; Smith said some jurisdictions have signaled such intent, and he offered to provide citations and additional research.
The amendment to HB392 was adopted; the hearing concluded after proponent testimony.
