House lawmakers released a bipartisan discussion draft of the Great American Artificial Intelligence Act (GAAIA), a comprehensive effort to establish a federal framework for governing artificial intelligence. Led by Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA), the proposal is intended to solicit feedback from stakeholders, industry, and the public before advancing through the legislative process.
Importantly, the draft framework includes a temporary federal preemption of certain state AI regulations. It would prohibit new state laws regulating how AI models are developed for a three-year period, while preserving state authority over how AI is used or deployed, including enforcement of existing civil rights, consumer protection, and labor laws. This could reduce fragmentation and create a more consistent national standard.
The legislation seeks to create a national governance structure for advanced AI systems that balances innovation with safeguards for national security, public safety, and the workforce. A central feature of the proposal is the formal establishment of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) within the Department of Commerce. This new entity would be responsible for developing voluntary guidelines and best practices for AI security, evaluating AI systems, monitoring emerging risks, and supporting tools to detect synthetic or AI-generated content. It is envisioned as a key hub for setting standards and coordinating AI oversight across government and industry.
The bill focuses on large “frontier” AI developers and introduces a series of new transparency and accountability requirements for the most advanced systems. These companies would be required to publish public risk management frameworks outlining how they assess and mitigate significant or “catastrophic” risks, as well as provide detailed disclosures about new models, including intended uses, limitations, and safety considerations. Developers would also be required to report serious safety incidents to federal authorities and undergo independent audits conducted by licensed third-party organizations to evaluate compliance and risk mitigation efforts.
The legislation also includes a significant focus on workforce and economic impacts, reflecting the growing role of AI across industries. It would require expanded federal data collection on AI adoption and its effects on employment, establish an AI Workforce Research Hub to analyze trends and forecast disruption, and integrate AI-related questions into federal labor and economic surveys. Further, the draft directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate federal AI adoption and identify regulatory barriers, includes new measures to address AI-enabled fraud and impersonation of government officials, and updates federal data systems to better track AI use across the economy.