Key Senate Committees Advance AI Legislation

On July 31, 2024, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced eight AI-focused measures during the Committee’s first legislative markup in a year. The markup was preceded by extensive negotiations between Chair Cantwell and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX). The committee advanced the following measures:

• CREATE AI Act of 2023 (S. 2714):The bill would authorize the development of the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), to be overseen by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and funded through the $1 billion per year authorized to NSF under the National AI Initiative Act (P.L. 116-283).
• TEST AI Act of 2023 (S. 3162): The bill would direct NIST to coordinate with the DoE to establish testbeds for testing and evaluation of trusted AI systems to advance AI tools, capabilities and workforce needs.
• AI Research, Innovation, and Accountability Act (S. 3312): The bill would (1) direct the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) to issue standards for the testing and evaluation of AI systems that are used to make decisions that impact critical infrastructure, criminal justice or biometric identification; (2) require transparency reports in certain instances for companies using high-impact AI systems to make decisions about housing, employment, credit, education, healthcare or insurance; (3) direct NIST to provide sector-specific recommendations to federal agencies to improve the safe and responsible use of AI systems; and (4) direct research on verifying and labeling AI-generated content, require large internet platforms to provide notice to users when the platform is using generative AI, and require the Commerce Department to develop recommendations for consumer education efforts.
• Future of AI Innovation Act of 2024 (S. 4178): The bill would formally establishes the AI Safety Institute at NIST to develop voluntary guidelines and standards with the private sector and federal agencies to promote innovation in AI.
• NSF AI Education Act of 2024 (S. 4394): The bill would expand scholarship and professional development opportunities to study AI and quantum with support from the NSF.
• Small Business AI Training and Toolkit Act of 2024 (S. 4487): The bill would authorize the DoC to work with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and distribute AI training resources and tools to help small businesses leverage the technology. The bill advanced via voice vote.
• AI Public Awareness and Education Campaign Act (S. 4596): The bill would require the DoC to carry out a public awareness and education campaign to provide information regarding the benefits, risks and prevalence of AI. The bill advanced via voice vote.
• Validation and Evaluation for Trustworthy (VET) AI Act (S. 4769): The bill would direct the NIST to develop voluntary specifications and guidelines for developers and deployers of AI systems to conduct internal assurance and work with third parties on external assurance regarding the verification and red-teaming of AI systems. The bill advanced via voice vote. Further, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) on July 31, 2024, advanced the PREPARED for AI Act (S. 4495) via a vote of 8-3, with several Republicans voting against the bill. The bill, introduced by Chair Gary Peters (D-MI) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), would require federal agencies to assess and address the risks of their AI uses prior to buying and deploying the technology, and further direct the creation of pilot programs to test more flexible, competitive purchasing practices. Chair Peters has discussed “substantive concerns” about the legislation from GOP colleagues but has vowed to work with Republican lawmakers to shore up support for the measure.

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Technology

• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2714
• https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ283/PLAW-116publ283.pdf
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3162q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+3162%22%7D&r=1&s=1
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3312?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+3312%22%7D&r=1&s=2
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4178?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+4178%22%7D&r=1&s=3
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4394?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+4394%22%7D&r=1&s=4
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4487?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+4487%22%7D&r=1&s=5
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4596?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+4596%22%7D&r=1&s=6
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4769?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22S.+4769%22%7D&r=1&s=7
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4495/all-actions