Rep. Cockley, House Tech Celebrate Removal of Federal Ban on State AI Regulation

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) today announced that she was pleased to see the U.S. Senate Monday night voted nearly unanimously to remove a ban from the H.R. 1, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill, that would have blocked states from enacting their own safety regulations around artificial intelligence (AI). Rep. Cockley, along with Democratic and Republican colleagues on the committee, sent a joint letter last month to U.S. Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio), urging them to reject the preemption language and defend Ohio’s authority to craft AI policy tailored to its people and communities.

“This outcome proves that when we speak up and act together, we can protect the rights of our communities,” said Rep. Cockley. “I’m incredibly proud of the work our committee did to sound the alarm on this issue, and I’m grateful to see our advocacy make a difference. This isn’t just a win for our legislature, it’s a win for every Ohioan who wants a say in how technology shapes their lives.”

The Senate’s decision to remove the preemption language is a major victory for the committee, Ohio lawmakers, and communities across the state. It ensures that Ohioans will retain a voice in decisions that affect how AI is used in schools, workplaces, healthcare systems, and beyond. It also affirms the critical role state leaders play in responding quickly to emerging technologies in ways that reflect local needs and values.

You can watch the House Technology and Innovation Committee meetings here.