A technology trade group is speaking out against Florida’s proposed artificial intelligence bill of rights as lawmakers prepare to deliberate the legislation during a Special Session starting this week.
The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is warning that states passing their own laws will create a regulatory nightmare for developers and companies.
“Artificial intelligence systems are built and deployed across state and national boundaries,” said Tom Mann, State Policy Manager for the South Region at CCIA. “A patchwork of state-level requirements creates uncertainty for developers and can limit the availability of beneficial tools and services for users in Florida.”
The AI bill of rights calls for sweeping changes meant to protect consumers and children that include beefing up parental controls, requiring AI platforms to regularly disclose that the technology is AI, and more.
“While protecting consumers and addressing risks is important, this legislation takes a broad approach that may not effectively target specific harms. Instead, it risks imposing significant compliance burdens while raising concerns for privacy and free expression,” Mann said. “Policymakers should focus on clear, targeted solutions that address real risks without creating barriers to innovation or limiting access to new technologies.”
Sen. Jason Brodeur refiled the AI bill of rights Friday after an identical bill died during the Regular Session. The Senate passed the measure, while the House refused to take it up.
House Speaker Daniel Perez previously said he felt the federal government should take the lead regulating AI — not the states. President Donald Trump’s administration contacted Perez to voice opposition to the AI bill of rights before the Regular Session ended.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has clashed publicly with Perez, is urging lawmakers to pass the bill, which is one of the Governor’s agenda items that he has increasingly gotten more vocal about.
The upcoming Special Session also covers congressional redistricting and medical freedom. Lawmakers plan to return for a second Special Session to pass the unfinished budget, which is their only constitutionally required duty.
