JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – As Missouri lawmakers debate how to regulate AI content, directions from the federal government are looming over their heads.
Missouri lawmakers are considering 16 bills that would put regulations on AI content, but with less than a month left in the legislative session, neither chamber has approved a bill. Lawmakers from both parties are in agreement on policies that say AI cannot have human rights or be a licensed professional.
Republican Sen. Joe Nicola said his bill has not moved forward because of directions from the Trump administration that says states should wait for the U.S. Congress to pass a regulation law.
The executive order President Trump put out says funding for rural broadband could be at risk if state lawmakers don’t align with his plan. A Utah lawmaker was told by the Trump administration his bill doesn’t fit into their AI plan.
The executive order reads, “United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation. But excessive State regulation thwarts this imperative. First, State-by-State regulation by definition creates a patchwork of 50 different regulatory regimes that makes compliance more challenging, particularly for start-ups.”
“In the meantime, AI is rapidly advancing and we have no regulation on it whatsoever,” said Nicola.
Nicola’s bill would declare AI systems non-sentient entities and prohibit the government from granting them legal personhood. The bill would bar AI systems from being recognized as spouses, domestic partners, or serving as officers or directors within companies.
The bill would require owners or operators using AI systems to notify consumers, clients, and patients if they are interacting with AI. Licensed professionals using AI would be required to exercise independent professional judgment and retain final authority over any determination, diagnosis, or recommendation. Any harm caused by an AI system would be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the system.
When brought to the floor, Nicola’s bill was filibustered by two fellow Republicans who are concerned about losing broadband funding.
“I’m concerned, I don’t want the state to lose broadband funding,” Nicola said. “If they feel like that’s going to happen then the bill’s not going to come back up again.”
Nicola said he has been working directly with the White House to make sure his bill fits within their framework while still accomplishing goals in Missouri.
“We are a sovereign state, and we need legislatures that are gonna stand up and act like we’re a sovereign state,” Nicola said.
Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Lilly Fuchs said Trump’s executive order has not been a discussion in the Missouri House and conversations are productive.
“I do think that there’s really some bipartisan support to carve the best legislation with the information that we have right now,” Fuchs said.
Only 16% of Missouri voters polled by YouGov and SLU believe recent AI innovations had a positive effect on society.
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