House Lawmakers Unveil Great American AI Act

The "Great American AI Act" tries to rescue tech companies from a fragmented patchwork of state AI laws, but its three-year preemption compromise risks creating regulatory whiplash once the sunset period expires.

* Limiting preemption to model development while letting states regulate deployment creates a confusing jurisdictional line that will be difficult to enforce.

* The reliance on developer-published "frontier AI frameworks" and independent audits mirrors industry self-regulation, drawing criticism from consumer advocates who argue it lacks real teeth.

* If passed, this bill will establish the Department of Commerce as the primary referee for national AI safety, consolidating federal oversight power.