Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA): requirements, deadlines and compliance actions
Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (HB 149, 89th Legislature)
What is Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA)?
Signed on 22 June 2025 and effective 1 January 2026, TRAIGA bans developing or deploying AI systems intended to manipulate people into self-harm or crime, government social scoring, biometric identification by government from public data without consent, intentional unlawful discrimination against protected classes, and production of child sexual abuse material or unlawful sexual deepfakes. State agencies and health-care providers must disclose AI interactions. It creates a 36-month regulatory sandbox administered by the Department of Information Resources, a Texas Artificial Intelligence Council, and gives the Attorney General exclusive enforcement with civil penalties after a 60-day cure period; disparate impact alone does not prove intent to discriminate.
Who does it apply to?
Persons doing business in Texas, producing products used by Texans, or developing or deploying AI systems in Texas, plus state agencies; no private right of action.
Developers and deployers of AI systems in Texas; state agencies; health-care providers using AI with patients.
When do the requirements apply?
2025-06-22: signed by the Governor; 2026-01-01: effective date.
| Date | Milestone | Source reference | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective date Act takes effect. |
— | Passed |
Dates are taken from the linked official source; a reviewer should confirm in-force and application dates before relying on them.
What must organisations do?
Screen AI uses against the prohibited-intent categories, add disclosure where the entity is a state agency or health-care provider, document intent and testing to use the statutory defences (NIST AI RMF alignment, red-teaming, cure), and consider the sandbox for novel uses.
Penalties
Civil penalties of USD 10,000 to 12,000 per curable violation, 80,000 to 200,000 per uncurable violation and 2,000 to 40,000 per day for continuing violations, enforced by the Attorney General after notice and a 60-day cure period.
Official sources
-
HB 149 (89R) history and enrolled text
Texas Legislature Online · 22 Jun 2025 · Tier 1 source
Change history
- — Texas TRAIGA takes effect
- — Texas signs the Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA), effective 1 January 2026
Record version 1: Added in the September 2026 global coverage expansion from the official source listed; reviewer to confirm dates, status and scope against the source text.. Full edit history is in the GitHub repository.
Frequently asked questions
- Does TRAIGA require impact assessments like Colorado?
- No. TRAIGA focuses on prohibited intents and government disclosure rather than a duty of care for high-risk systems; the earlier draft with broader duties was narrowed before enactment.
Informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult qualified counsel before acting.