AI regulation frameworks
Heading into 2026, states must respond to emerging federal frameworks on artificial intelligence regulation while managing other Washington-driven priorities, making AI governance a significant intergovernmental and national policy issue.
Where do you stand?
What is the best national approach to regulating artificial intelligence?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
Governing — https://www.governing.com/politics/the-biggest-issues-to-watch-in-2026
States will be scrambling to manage new priorities and demands from Washington, tighten their belts in a tough budget cycle and respond to federal frameworks on AI regulation.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Impose strict federal AI safety rules, liability, and public-interest limits on deployment
- Create strong federal standards on bias, transparency, and worker impacts with state flexibility
- Set baseline federal rules while allowing states and industry to innovate within them
- Prefer light-touch federal guidance and preemption of heavy state AI regulations
- Minimize AI regulation so U.S. firms can outpace foreign competitors unchecked