bill making a human check the AI at state agencies

The text as introduced · 445 words

By: Bhojani
H.B. No. 474

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to human oversight and review of decisions and actions

involving artificial intelligence systems used by state agencies.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter S, Chapter 2054, Government Code, as

added by Chapter 1148 (S.B. 1964), Acts of the 89th Legislature,

Regular Session, 2025, is amended by adding Section 2054.714 to

read as follows:

Sec. 2054.714. MEANINGFUL HUMAN OVERSIGHT OF ARTIFICIAL

INTELLIGENCE DECISIONS AND ACTIONS. (a) In this section,

"meaningful human oversight" means the evaluation of an artificial

intelligence system's decision or proposed action by an

appropriately qualified employee or officer who:

(1) has received reasonable training in the artificial

intelligence system, including on the risk of undue reliance on the

system's output;

(2) has access to sufficient information and relevant

evidence to evaluate the decision or proposed action; and

(3) has the authority to approve, reject, modify,

override, and terminate the decision, proposed action, or ongoing

action of the artificial intelligence system.

(b) Each state agency deploying or using an artificial

intelligence system shall establish and maintain policies and

procedures as required by this section to ensure meaningful human

oversight over decisions or actions taken by artificial

intelligence systems that:

(1) constitute, or are a controlling factor in, a

consequential decision as defined by Section 2054.003; or

(2) present a reasonably foreseeable risk of

substantial harm to:

(A) the health or safety of one or more

individuals;

(B) property;

(C) critical infrastructure; or

(D) the security of confidential information.

(c) The department shall adopt rules establishing minimum

standards for employees or officers who provide meaningful human

oversight under this section, including standards regarding the

timing and documentation of oversight. The extent of required

oversight shall be proportionate to the nature and risk of the

decision or action covered by subsection (b).

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, but not later than March 1, 2028, the Department of

Information Resources shall adopt the rules required by Section

2054.714(c), Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3 (a) A state agency is not required to comply with

a rule adopted under Section 2054(c), Government Code, as added by

this Act, before the 90th day after the date the Department of

Information Resources adopts the rule.

(b) Until the date a state agency is required to comply with

the rules adopted under Section 2054.714(c), Government Code, as

added by this Act, the agency shall implement appropriate interim

safeguards to comply with Section 2054.714(b), Government Code, as

added by this Act.

SECTION 4 This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.