AI Regulation · Texas
Texas Responsible AI Governance Act
HB 1709 - enacted in Texas.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2025
- Enacted
- 6
- States with ai regulation laws
- 69/100
- Texas strictness
The bottom line
Texas Responsible AI Governance Act is an enacted law in Texas, part of a still-emerging ai regulation landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2026-01-01
- 6
- states have ai regulation laws
- 10/10
- ai regulation laws enacted nationally
- 69/100
- Texas strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Texas legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
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 compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 10 ai regulation statutes have been enacted 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.
How Texas compares on ai regulation
6 states regulate ai regulation - Texas ranks #3 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas (this state) | 69 |
| 4 | Illinois | 62 |
| 5 | New York | 62 |
| 6 | Utah | 55 |
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.
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Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More Texas Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for ai regulation compliance.
- Texas Responsible AI Governance Act is enacted in Texas, effective 2026-01-01. Official source
- 6 states now regulate ai regulation; Texas ranks #3 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Texas tracks across all five policy areas. Texas profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Texas source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.