United States of America: Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill (HB 149) establishing Artificial Intelligence Council was passed by State House

On 23 April 2025, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill (HB 149) was passed by the State House. The Bill establishes the Texas Artificial Intelligence Council (Chapter 554) to oversee Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance without rulemaking authority. The Council’s functions include identifying regulatory barriers, assessing AI’s impact on public safety, and recommending legislative reforms. It coordinates with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) for administrative support and monitors the regulatory sandbox programme (Chapter 553). The Council comprises 10 members, including public appointees and non-voting legislators, with expertise in AI ethics, data security, and risk management. It issues advisory reports on AI compliance, ethical deployment, and potential legal risks, but cannot enforce binding regulations or interfere with state agency operations.