Conference committee delays SB 3001; sponsors press for AI chatbot disclosures and harm protocols

Conference committee members on April 24 postponed further work on SB 3001 (SD2 HD3), a bill that sponsors described as aimed at protecting consumers — and especially minors — from harms associated with some artificial-intelligence-driven chatbots. The committee set a reconvene date of Monday, April 27 at 2:40 PM in conference room 224 to review a conference draft.

A sponsor summarized the bill's principal objectives, saying the measure is intended to require transparency and safety steps for conversational AI. "There’s a clear disclosure when an AI chatbot is being engaged by a consumer, that there are protocols in place when the dialogue heads into territory that could stimulate violence, and that there are notices that the developer of the technology needs to engage in feature restriction when it comes to minors," the House co-chair said. Committee members thanked colleagues for the dialogue and emphasized the need to address risks such as suicidal ideation and danger to the public.

Supporters framed the bill as building on prior session input and as a vehicle to balance innovation with public-safety protections. "I appreciate the Senate's willingness to put in the harm or even in danger to others as well as I felt that was strongly needed in order to protect the public," a committee member said, expressing support for provisions aimed at identifying and responding when an AI interaction signals risk to others.

The committee did not take a vote on the measure; members agreed to resume consideration on April 27 to review the conference draft, staff analyses and any clarifications requested from stakeholders.