by Paige Gross, Kentucky Lantern
July 1, 2025

A moratorium on state-based artificial intelligence laws was struck from the “Big Beautiful Bill” Monday night in a 99-1 vote in the U.S. Senate, after getting less and less popular with state and federal lawmakers, state officials and advocacy groups since it was introduced in May.

The moratorium had evolved in the seven weeks since it was introduced into the megabill. At an early May Senate Commerce Committee session, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said it was in his plans to create “a regulatory sandbox for AI” that would prevent state overregulation and promote the United States’ AI industry.

GOP senators initially proposed a 10-year ban on all state laws relating to artificial intelligence, saying the federal government should be the only legislative body to regulate the technology. Over several hearings, congressional members and expert witnesses debated the level of involvement the federal government should take in regulating AI. They discussed state’s rights, safety concerns for the technology and how other governmental bodies, like the European Union, are regulating AI.

Over the weekend, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cruz developed a pared down version of the moratorium that proposed a five-year ban, and made exceptions for some laws with specific aims such as protecting children or limiting deepfake technologies. Changes over the weekend also tied state’s ability to collect federal funding to expand broadband access to their willingness to nullify their existing AI laws.

Monday night, an amendment to remove the moratorium from the budget bill — cosponsored by Blackburn and Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat — was passed 99-1.

“The Senate came together tonight to say that we can’t just run over good state consumer protection laws,” Cantwell said in a statement. “States can fight robocalls, deepfakes and provide safe autonomous vehicle laws. This also allows us to work together nationally to provide a new federal framework on Artificial Intelligence that accelerates U.S. leadership in AI while still protecting consumers.” 

The “overwhelming” vote reflects how unpopular unregulated AI is among voters and legislators in both parties, said Alexandra Reeve Givens, president and CEO of the tech policy organization, Center for Democracy and Technology, in a statement.

“Americans deserve sensible guardrails as AI develops, and if Congress isn’t prepared to step up to the plate, it shouldn’t prevent states from addressing the challenge,” Reeve Givens said. “We hope that after such a resounding rebuke, Congressional leaders understand that it’s time for them to start treating AI harms with the seriousness they deserve.”

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a balanced view of the debate over AI regulation, highlighting perspectives from both Republican and Democratic senators. It reflects bipartisan disagreements and cooperation on the issue without endorsing one side over the other. The article focuses on factual reporting of legislative actions, quoting representatives from both parties and experts, and avoids partisan language or framing, resulting in a centrist political bias.

SUMMARY: Meteorologist Matt Milosevic reports that Tuesday started with tropical-style humidity fueling heavy downpours and some thunderstorms, mainly in western areas near Corydon and along Interstate 65 in southern Indiana. Rain chances are highest in the morning, tapering off by midday as the system moves east. The afternoon will see drier conditions and lower humidity, making temperatures near 80 degrees more comfortable. Overnight, skies will clear, and Wednesday will bring sunshine with lower humidity and highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. Humidity will rise again by the weekend, with highs near 95 and potential storms Sunday night into Monday.

WLKY Meteorologist Matt Milosevich has the latest on more rain and storm chances today, with drier and less humid weather ahead.

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SUMMARY: Kentucky State Police (KSP) has entered the 2025 Best Looking Cruiser Contest by the American Association of State Troopers, which lets the public vote for their favorite law enforcement cruiser photo. KSP’s entry features a 2024 Mustang GT, a 2024 Dodge Durango, and a Bell 407 helicopter, symbolizing their teamwork and tactical support from ground to sky. Governor Andy Beshear and KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. encourage Kentuckians to vote daily until July 11 to help KSP win again after placing in the top five for seven years and winning in 2021 and 2022. Voting is at surveymonkey.com.

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