What's happening
This bill creates a temporary commission to study and recommend regulations for artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation in New York.
Why it matters
Examines legal gaps and liabilities. The commission will analyze both current New York laws and other states’ approaches to determine how existing legal frameworks handle responsibility and liability when AI, robotics, or automation cause harm or break the law, which could influence future criminal and civil law in New York.
Assesses impact on jobs and privacy. By specifically studying the effects of AI and automation on employment and the handling of confidential information, the commission could shape recommendations that affect job security, workforce transitions, and personal data protections for New Yorkers.
Considers technology and public safety risks. The bill directs the commission to look into the use of AI and robotics in weaponry, as well as their applications in the public sector, raising important questions about ethical boundaries, public safety, and potential government use of these technologies.
Influences future innovation climate. Studying the potential impacts of regulation on the technology industry means the commission’s work could shape whether New York becomes a leader in responsible tech development or faces economic challenges from over- or under-regulation, affecting the state’s tech ecosystem and competitiveness.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study AI Regulation Commission
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.110
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.481
- Substituted for A1746C
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Amended on third reading 3971b
- Amended on third reading 3971a
- Advanced to third reading
Show 3 earlier actions
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.277
- Referred to internet and technology
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Regulating Artificial Intelligence
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Clyde Vanel
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3971--B Cal. No. 277
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 22, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Internet and Technology -reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- again amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT creating a temporary state commission to study and investigate how to regulate artificial intelligence, robotics and automation; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. A temporary state commission, to be known as the New York state artificial intelligence, robotics and automation commission (hereinafter "commission"), is hereby created to study and make determinations on issues including but not limited to:
(a) current law within this state addressing artificial intelligence, robotics and automation;
(b) comparative state policies that have aided in creating a regulatory structure for artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, and whether such measures would be similarly effective in this state;
(c) criminal and civil liability regarding violations of law caused by entities equipped with artificial intelligence, robotics and automation;
(d) the impact of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation on employment in this state;
(e) the impact of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation on the acquiring and disclosure of confidential information;
(f) potential restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and automation in weaponry;
(g) the potential impact on the technology industry of any regulatory measures proposed by this study; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01276-07-9
S. 3971--B 2
(h) public sector applications of artificial intelligence and cognitive technologies.
§ 2. The commission shall consist of thirteen members to be appointed as follows: five shall be appointed by the governor; two shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate and one by the minority leader of the senate; two shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly and one by the minority leader of the assembly; one shall be appointed by the chancellor of the state university of New York; and one shall be appointed by the chancellor of the city university of New York. The members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the official making the appointment of such member. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Membership on the commission shall not constitute a public office. A chairperson and vice-chairperson of the commission shall be elected by a majority of its members, all members being present.
§ 3. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
§ 4. The commission may conduct any hearings or take any written testimony as it deems necessary, and shall take all other steps necessary to provide a thorough analysis of all issues related to the provisions listed in section one of this act.
§ 5. The commission shall issue a final report no later than thirty days prior to the expiration of this act. The commission shall issue its report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, and the minority leader of the senate.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed December 31, 2020.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act creating a temporary state commission to study and investigate how to regulate artificial intelligence, robotics and automation; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expira- tion thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
Creates a temporary state commission to study and investigate how to regulate artificial intelligence, robotics and automation
Summary of provisions
Section 1 officially creates the commission and addresses the issues to be studied.
Section 2 discusses who will make up the commission and what their responsibilities shall be.
Section 3 says the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
Section 4 gives the commission the authority to conduct hearings.
Section 5 requires a report be submitted by December 1, 2020. (no later than 30 days before the expiration of this act)
Section 6 provides for an immediate effective date and have expire and be repealed on December 31, 2020.
Justification
In society and in New York State, artificial intelligence is becoming ubiquitous. From targeted advertising on the Internet, bots on social media, smart cars, smartphones to human-like reasoning; the relationship between machine and human is changing. Artificial intelligence is the intelligence displayed by machine. In computer science, artificial intelligence research is defined as the study of "intelligent agents" any device that perceives its environment and takes actions that maxi- mize its chance of success at some goal. New York State and the United States of America should lead in the development, implementation and responsible policy with artificial intelligence. Currently in New York State, laws govern the conduct of humans, and sometimes the machines that humans use, such as drones, phones and cars. As artificial intelli- gence, however, advances and becomes more humanlike and requires less or no human input or intervention, who is responsible for any laws that are violated by the AI? Should the state restrict certain uses of Al such as weaponry, protection of privacy, protection of confidential information, the protection of bodily harm? The need for a properly guided policy regime is Paramount. We must not interfere with the progress of inno- vation, yet we must protect New York society from illicit and dangerous uses of artificial intelligence
Prior legislative history
2019 Session - New Bill in Senate, 2018 passed Assembly
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined
Effective date
Effective immediately and shall expire and be repealed on December 31, 2020.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.