Texas Responsible AI Governance Act

HB 1709

Enacted
2025-06-20
Effective
2026-01-01
Status
enacted
Verified
2026-03-18

Regulatory Snapshot: Texas Responsible AI Governance Act

Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (HB 1709) is an enacted law in Texas under the AI Regulation category. It was enacted on 2025-06-20 and becomes effective on 2026-01-01. Texas currently reports 5 tracked regulations with 5 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 69/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.

Nationally, 10 states have enacted ai regulation statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 6 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Texas within a still-emerging ai regulation landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in HB 1709 itself.

Applicability under Texas Responsible AI Governance Act: Any person developing/deploying AI in Texas. Penalty exposure is documented as: AG civil penalties. Criminal for CSAM. Notable exemptions: National security. Research with safeguards..

Summary

Prohibits restricted AI purposes: CSAM, deepfakes, social scoring.

Key Requirements

Restricted-purpose prohibitions. Developer documentation. Deployer oversight. Consequential decision notices.

Penalties

AG civil penalties. Criminal for CSAM.

Applicability

Any person developing/deploying AI in Texas.

Exemptions

National security. Research with safeguards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states have ai regulation regulations?

As of the last verification, 6 states have enacted ai regulation regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Texas is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all ai regulation regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.

When was Texas Responsible AI Governance Act enacted?

Texas Responsible AI Governance Act was enacted on 2025-06-20 and became effective on 2026-01-01. It was introduced as HB 1709.

What are the penalties for violating Texas Responsible AI Governance Act?

AG civil penalties. Criminal for CSAM. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.

Does Texas Responsible AI Governance Act apply to small businesses?

Any person developing/deploying AI in Texas. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.

How does Texas compare to other states on ai regulation?

Texas has a regulatory strictness score of 69/100, based on 5 enacted regulations out of 5 tracked. Nationally, 6 states have enacted ai regulation laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.

Where can I read the full text of Texas Responsible AI Governance Act?

The official text of Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (HB 1709) is available from the Texas legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.

Regulation Guides

Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.

Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.

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Data sourced from official state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainRegWatch Editorial

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