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House approves bill restricting DEI language in state AI procurement
Summary
The House passed House Bill 687, which requires state contracts for AI language models to exclude DEI principles built into model code and allows contract termination or access to source code if agencies later determine noncompliance, sponsors said.
The Idaho House passed House Bill 687 after sponsor testimony and floor questions addressing enforcement and proprietary concerns.
Sponsor explanation said the bill requires that any AI language model system procured by state government not be built with DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) principles "interwoven" into the system; the measure would include contract provisions allowing termination and, if necessary, access to source code. "This really follows a lot of that framework... and so we're trying to figure out a system to ensure that anytime that we procure a contract... that it is unbiased," the sponsor said.
Members asked whether the procurement language could discourage vendors that rely on proprietary code; the sponsor responded that the bill is intended to give agencies tools to be proactive in procurement and to exit contracts if the vendor's product is later found to embed DEI in contravention of the contract terms.
The House closed debate and approved the measure. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
