State and Federal Relations
AI preemption ‘top of mind’ for state, local tech leaders
Observers called for an intergovernmental working group as well as better collaboration, one month on from President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting “cumbersome” state AI regulations.
House hearings highlight AI divides
Two separate hearings last week shone light on lingering issues over preempting state and local AI regulations and the role of Congress in finally forming a national standard.
State and local governments must automate digital accessibility processes
COMMENTARY | The Department of Justice’s April 2026 deadline for ADA compliance is fast approaching for many. Automation can help solve some of the biggest challenges.
Election officials say trust with CISA is broken — and may not come back
States once embraced federal election security help. Now many say politicization and pullbacks have shattered that partnership.
Feds announce two new drone test sites
The sites — the first new ones in over a decade — will be in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
DHS launches office for drone and counter-drone technologies
The agency said the new office is already in the process of finalizing a $115 million investment in counter-drone tech that will be used to help secure the FIFA World Cup and activities celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Texas shares entire voter registration list with the Trump administration
Texas turned over data on more than 18 million voters, including partial Social Security numbers, as Democrats raise questions about voter privacy.
States continue to explore solutions to federal rule changes for public benefit programs
States must consider new data sources and approaches to ensuring their benefit systems are on track to comply with impending changes to the Medicaid and SNAP program, one expert says.
Defense law includes expanded counter-drone authority
The National Defense Authorization Act included legislation to reauthorize federal agencies’ authority to bring down drones through 2028 and help state and local agencies do the same.
How preemption worsens the AI accountability gap
COMMENTARY | The federal government wants to stop states regulating the technology, but doing so risks various harms and does not guarantee international leadership.
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States’ efforts to protect sensitive data from the feds could ramp up in the new year, experts say
Legal and policy pressure could be a key tool for states looking to shield their residents’ personal data from the federal government.
BEAD changes broke the law, federal watchdog finds
The Government Accountability Office found that last summer’s tweaks to the program should be submitted to Congress for approval before they can take effect.
‘Reckoning’ coming in state and local cyber
This year brought all manner of uncertainty about the relationship with the federal government to defend against threats. Next year looks to be more of the same, albeit with more intense threats.
Texas lawmakers from both parties oppose Trump’s order targeting state AI laws
Texas’ new law regulating AI is set to take effect Jan. 1, two months after Trump’s executive order threatening to cut off some federal money if states pass “onerous” AI laws.
How AI is helping local governments access federal grant funding
COMMENTARY | Before, employees had to sift through hundreds of pages of information and fill out unique applications. AI has made the process more streamlined and less time-consuming.
Cyber success is about building ‘muscle memory,’ experts say
Working with jurisdictions that have varying degrees of cybersecurity preparedness can be a challenge, cyber leaders said last week, so coordination and partnerships are key.
States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them
Nearly 40 states have adopted or enacted artificial intelligence measures this year, and more are expected in 2026.
Trump AI preemption order likely to face legal challenges
State leaders said preempting tech regulation is a “dereliction of duty” and does not properly protect residents from the harms they may face.
Trump administration sues Colorado secretary of state over voter data request
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold over her refusal to hand over sensitive voter files.
Trump signs order targeting ‘cumbersome’ state AI regulation
The order instructs certain federal agencies to identify which state laws undermine federal efforts to help the U.S. lead globally in AI.
