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    AI Policy Radar

    Texas TRAIGA

    Proof that red-state AI regulation looks different — intent-based prohibitions rather than duty-of-care regimes — yet still creates real obligations. With Colorado, it brackets the design space federal preemption fights will test.

    What it is

    Texas's AI law (effective 1 Jan 2026) takes an intent-based approach: it prohibits developing or deploying AI to unlawfully discriminate, manipulate behavior, or produce CSAM/deepfake abuse, imposes disclosure duties on government AI use, and creates a regulatory sandbox.

    Who is affected

    Companies deploying AI in Texas; frontier developers and GenAI providers in California; Illinois employers

    Key obligations

    • Prohibited AI uses: behavioral manipulation, unlawful discrimination (intent-based), certain sexual content
    • Government agencies must disclose AI interaction to consumers
    • Biometric identifier limits for government; AG enforcement with cure period; sandbox program

    Compliance dates

    1 January 2026

    Texas TRAIGA in effect

    Texas's Responsible AI Governance Act took effect, alongside California's SB 53 (frontier transparency), AB 2013 (training-data disclosure) and Illinois's AI employment-discrimination law — the largest single wave of US state AI law to date.

    Recent signals

    • 30 June 2026

      Colorado AI Act takes effect after delayed start

      The first comprehensive US state AI law is now operative — as DOJ's AI Litigation Task Force weighs challenges under the December 2025 preemption executive order.

    • 19 March 2026

      New York RAISE Act frontier-safety duties begin

      New York joins California in requiring large frontier developers to publish safety protocols and report incidents.

    • 1 January 2026

      US state AI law wave: Texas, California and Illinois statutes take effect

      TRAIGA, SB 53 (frontier transparency), AB 2013 (training-data disclosure) and Illinois HB 3773 all become operative on the same day — the broadest single expansion of binding US AI law.

    • 29 September 2025

      California enacts SB 53, the first US frontier-AI transparency law

      Large frontier developers must publish safety frameworks and report catastrophic-risk incidents — the transparency-first successor to vetoed SB 1047.