Youngkin vetoes AI regulation legislation in Virginia

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed a bill Monday that would regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in his state.

Youngkin said he vetoed H.B. 2094 because it would establish a “burdensome” framework for AI.

The bill, introduced in early January, would have created requirements for the development, deployment and use of "high-risk artificial intelligence systems.” It would have created civil penalties for noncompliance and been enforced by the state’s attorney general.

If signed into law by Youngkin, it would have gone into effect July 1, 2026.

Youngkin, in his veto explanation, said his administration and the state of Virginia already has established safeguards and oversight for AI use.

He pointed to a state task force of industry experts that have worked with his administration on the matter.

“Our Administration has worked tirelessly to build the Commonwealth into a place where companies of all sizes can thrive, including AI innovators. We secured our goal of helping to launch 10,000 new startups in August of 2024,” he said in a statement.

Youngkin said his administration’s AI efforts have added thousands of jobs to the state and “hundreds of millions” in new economic growth.

“The regulatory framework called for by HB 2094 would undermine this progress, and risks turning back the clock on Virginia’s economic growth, shifting the AI industry as it is taking off,” he said.

Youngkin said there are many laws already in place that protect consumers and the bill “fails to account for the rapidly evolving” AI industry.

“The role of government in safeguarding AI practices should be one that enables and empowers innovators to create and grow, not one that stifles progress and places onerous burdens on our Commonwealth’s many business owners,” he concluded.

The bill introduction comes as several other states introduce new AI laws as the industry grows. Last year, Colorado passed a first-in-the-nation law that would require AI developers to avoid algorithmic discrimination.

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