State of Artificial Intelligence: State’s Rights vs Federal Uniformity | Harrisburg
State of Artificial Intelligence: State’s Rights vs Federal Uniformity | Harrisburg
Publish Date: 2026-04-29 17:52:00
Source Domain: www.weny.com
Lawmakers discussed state’s rights and the federal push for uniform artificial intelligence policy in a Harrisburg committee today.
Democrats in the House Communications and Technology Committee approved House Resolution 425, which listed concerns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in December.
Trump’s order explains the need for national uniformity in artificial intelligence policy, while decrying state rules that are “onerous”. The order created an AI Litigation Task Force in the Department of Justice to sue state artificial intelligence laws if they are not “minimally burdensome”. It also banned states from future Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD) funding if they have “onerous” ai laws.
The order exempts laws about child safety, data centers, and other topics from getting caught in litigation.
Democrat Rep. Jim Haddock, the resolution sponsor, says Trump’s executive order oversteps state authority.
“The state of Pennsylvania’s constitution says we have the right to legislate for our people and protect our people,” Haddock said. “It also punishes our vulnerable populations who lack broadband, many of them who live in rural areas.”
Haddock’s resolution lines out complaints against the executive order, but also urgers the U.S. Congress to not legislate any parts of the order. Last summer’s Big Beautiful Bill included a broader moratorium on legislating ai in the states, but the language was removed before final passage.
The resolution has no authority to change policy, but the Haddock says it sends a unified voice if it passes the full House of Representatives.
Committee Republicans voted no on the resolution today, with leaders saying they were cautious on sending a warning pre-maturely.
“Let’s see what they do at the federal level,” said Rep. Gary Day, the Republican…
