ST. PAUL, Minn. — Senator Matt Klein (DFL – Mendota Heights) and Senator Erin Maye Quade (DFL – Apple Valley) today issued a condemnation of the Trump administration and Republican congressional budget proposal that would impose a 10-year moratorium on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The Senators criticize the provision as an egregious executive overreach into states’ rights and a direct threat to Minnesota’s efforts to safeguard its residents, particularly children, from the potential harm of unregulated AI technologies.
“This is yet another example of the Trump administration rolling back consumer protections and now going a step further into preemption which would strip Minnesota of our ability to enact and enforce critical protections against the misuse of AI,” said Senator Klein, Chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
This federal moratorium would nullify critical state initiatives like bans on nudification technology authored by Senator Maye Quade, and other proposals to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse images.
“Minnesota is a leader in implementing AI safety standards, especially considering the welfare of children,” said Senator Erin Maye Quade. “In the absence of Congressional action, states are stepping up to face this new frontier in consumer protection head on to prevent tech companies from proliferating and profiting off of AI deepfake porn and child sexual abuse material. We need national action to stop AI from being misused in this way, but instead the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress who voted for this regulatory moratorium are taking us backward and endangering our children.”
“By preventing states from acting, the federal government is effectively tying our hands while the AI industry operates without sufficient oversight,” Senator Klein continued. “This is not just a policy disagreement; it is a fundamental challenge to our state’s right to protect Minnesotans.”
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed the U.S. House of Representatives with 215 Republicans voting yes, and 212 Democrats and 2 Republicans voting no. It is currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate.
“We call on Minnesota’s federal delegation to oppose the moratorium, and to advocate for the preservation of our state’s authority in regulating AI.” said Senator Klein.
“We must ensure that Minnesota retains the power to enact laws that reflect our values and protect our communities and children,” said Senator Maye Quade. “I urge our federal representatives to reject this overreach and stand up for the rights of our state.”
####
Learn more about Sen. Klein.
Read more news from Sen. Klein.
Learn more about Sen. Maye Quade.