State and Local

State lawmakers are moving to restrict contracts with foreign adversaries, but many bills miss the mark—failing to reduce actual security risks while driving up costs and limiting access to key technologies. A smarter path forward would prioritize transparency, collaboration with federal agencies, and a focused strategy targeting high-risk components.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will decide on HB 2094, a flawed AI bill with inconsistent rules and unworkable enforcement. Signing it would add to a costly patchwork of state laws without improving outcomes.

Texas is proving that tech-neutral, efficient broadband deployment can close the digital divide—on budget and with surplus funds to boost affordability.

The bill’s heavy-handed approach risks creating more problems than it solves, prioritizing bureaucratic hurdles over meaningful progress in fairness and accountability.

For policymakers to bolster the global competitiveness of their nations and regions, they first must know where they stand. This report benchmarks the 87 regions of India and the United States using 13 commonly available indicators of strength in the knowledge economy, globalization, and innovation capacity.

California often sets the tone for national policy, but the recently passed AI Transparency Act (SB 942) is an example of what not to do.

Watch now for a panel discussion exploring how anti-tech conservatives would weaponize the government against technology, the legitimacy of conservatives’ anti-tech arguments, and the implications of their proposals for society.

Legislators currently lack the necessary information about how harms from AI systems may materialize and evolve in the real world to design truly effective regulations.

Congress should pass an amended version of the NO FAKES Act that preempts all existing and future state digital likeness laws. This would ensure consistent IP protections for all Americans—including performers—support innovation in entertainment, and prevent a patchwork of state digital replica laws.

Data-informed and evidence-based decision making can drive optimum outcomes in local governments.