Policy · March 2, 2026 · 10 min

State-Level AI Rulemaking: The Fragmented Landscape of 2026

Sixteen states have passed AI-specific legislation this session, with another twelve under active consideration.

State-level AI rulemaking activity has accelerated through the 2026 legislative session. Sixteen states have passed AI-specific legislation this session, with another twelve under active consideration. The substantive content varies materially — disclosure-based regimes (California, Colorado), risk-tier frameworks (Illinois, Texas), and sectoral approaches (New York, Massachusetts).