SB 1964 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the regulation and use of artificial intelligence systems and the management of data by governmental entities.

Texas Senate Bill 1964 requires state and local government agencies to track and report on their use of artificial intelligence systems, particularly those making decisions affecting access to government services (like benefits or permits). The bill defines "heightened scrutiny AI systems" as those autonomously influencing such decisions and mandates agencies to inventory these systems, document their purpose, assess risks, and confirm compliance with ethics standards. Agencies must also include AI systems in regular technology infrastructure reviews, detailing how each supports agency goals and strategic plans. This focuses on transparency and accountability for AI use in public services, not restricting AI deployment.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MINOR

This bill was finalized as an enrolled version with minor formatting and text corrections, while retaining all substantive policy provisions from the earlier version. The core legislative content regarding artificial intelligence regulation remains unchanged, including definitions, requirements for state agencies, and enforcement mechanisms.

TECHNICAL

Header and formatting were updated to reflect the enrolled version status, including bill number formatting and removal of draft annotations.

Minor text corrections were made throughout the document, such as changing 'material, legal' to 'material legal' and adjusting spacing and punctuation for consistency.

Some definitions were slightly reworded for clarity, such as changing 'infers from provided information how to generate outputs' to 'infers from provided information a method to generate outputs'.

Introduced → Engrossed · 9 edits · Apr 28, 2025

MAJOR

This bill significantly expands Texas's artificial intelligence regulations by adding new definitions, requiring ethics codes and risk management standards for high-risk AI systems, establishing a public advisory board, creating a testing sandbox program, and mandating transparency disclosures. The changes matter because they create a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure AI systems used by government entities operate fairly, transparently, and with appropriate oversight to protect public interests.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general AI regulation to include specific requirements for 'heightened scrutiny' AI systems, local government obligations, vendor accountability, and public complaint mechanisms.

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'consequential decision', 'controlling factor', and 'heightened scrutiny artificial intelligence system' to clarify which AI systems require stricter oversight.

REQUIREMENT

Mandatory artificial intelligence ethics code and minimum risk management standards for state agencies and local governments deploying high-risk AI systems.

New requirement for agencies to post high-value datasets on the Texas Open Data Portal annually.

Establishment of a Public Sector AI Advisory Board with eight members to provide guidance on AI implementation and innovation.

Creation of an AI system sandbox program allowing vendors to test AI systems with temporary regulatory exemptions before full deployment.

Mandatory impact assessments and public disclosures for AI systems that affect consequential decisions or interact with the public.

ELIGIBILITY

Small agencies with 150 or fewer employees may designate a single data management officer or share one with other agencies.

ENFORCEMENT

New complaint web page for reporting AI violations, with attorney general enforcement powers including contract termination for non-compliant vendors.

TIMELINE

Act takes effect September 1, 2025, giving agencies time to develop required rules and programs.

Floor votes · House May 28, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Jun 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

Jun 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 31, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

lower

May 30, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

upper

May 30, 2025

Introduced

House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

upper

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage as amended reported

upper

May 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed as amended

lower

May 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 28, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (103-5-38)

house

May 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to 3rd reading as amended

lower

May 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Committee

Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Business & Commerce

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors