The Communications, Technology and Innovation Committee carried over two bills to 2027 — a chatbot safety bill targeting minors (SB 796) and a cognate bill (SB 269) — with SB 796 sending a letter to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science, as members cited federal funding risk and the chilling effect of a federal AI executive order as reasons not to move forward now despite broad agreement on the underlying policy concerns.
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The chair stated that agencies had recommended the committee 'do not move forward' with similar legislation due to 'federal funding at risk,' and that the chair had already tabled his own bill on similar grounds, adding: 'I'm not seeing anything in yours that would substantially change it.' Senator Durant acknowledged being 'apprised' of this concern but stated she felt the bill was 'in a comfortable posture' given what she described as a carve-out for children's protections, while ultimately deferring to the committee's judgment and suggesting carry-over to JCOTS.
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“There's one specific young man, his name is Sewell Seltzer, and he was under the belief that he was engaging in a relationship. And it's horrifying because we had a really tragic outcome with that young man. He was only 14 years old and he did commit suicide.”
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Sign in to subscribeCommittee, Monday, March 2, 10:00am Clerk, please open the roll for members, please cast your attend. And Mr. Clerk, do we. We have a quorum. Yes, we do. We have our music on. All right, so, members, we have two bills on the agenda today. And just be mindful that there are a couple of other bills that will be docketed for next Monday at 10am and just a reminder, those subcommittees that we have will not be meeting. We'll take up those bills in full committee. First up on the agenda, we have Senate Bill 269, Senator Favola. And we have had a conversation with Senator Bavola, and she realizes the bill is in, I guess, cognate of Delegate Maldonado's bill. And so the chair will entertain a motion, move the laying the table. Second. Mr. Chair, I have a motion to carry over Senate Bill 269 to 2027. Second. It's been moving properly. Second. That we carry over Senate Bill 269 on the line amendment. All those in favor say aye. Aye. And The Senate Bill 269 has been carried over. Next up, we have Senate Bill 7 96. And we have Senator Durant. Good morning. Good morning,…
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