en.Wedoany.com Reported - Bipartisan House lawmakers released a 269-page discussion draft of the "Great American Artificial Intelligence Act" on June 4, aiming to establish a federal AI governance framework while simultaneously launching a workforce forecasting project and a review of infrastructure and energy barriers. The draft, co-sponsored by Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), proposes establishing a Center for AI Standards and Innovation within the Department of Commerce, while temporarily blocking state laws specifically targeting AI model development.
The draft follows President Donald Trump's June 2 executive order, which directed federal agencies to create a voluntary framework for AI developers, allowing government cybersecurity and national security reviews before AI system release, but explicitly without mandatory licensing or pre-approval processes. Obernolte stated that artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, and Congress must take a thoughtful, bipartisan approach to regulate this technology, establishing a clear federal framework to promote innovation, protect Americans from emerging risks, and ensure U.S. leadership in the global AI landscape.
The bill's regulatory provisions primarily target developers of advanced AI foundation models, such as OpenAI and Anthropic. Lawmakers also included a series of labor and economic measures for industries adopting AI technology. The draft requires the Department of Labor to establish an AI Workforce Research Hub, identify at least 15 occupations highly sensitive to AI disruption, and publish regular employment impact forecasts. Employers conducting mass layoffs subject to compliance must disclose whether AI was a significant factor in the layoffs and the percentage of job losses attributable to the technology. Federal labor and business surveys will also be revised to collect more data on AI adoption and workforce impact.
The construction industry, traditionally a slow adopter of technology, is increasingly deploying AI tools for scheduling, estimating, document management, and safety monitoring. A 2025 survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found that 44% of contractor respondents plan to increase AI investment in 2025. Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at AGC, stated that AI has become a viable tool for streamlining back-office operations, supporting estimating, and analyzing performance and safety data. AI development in construction is also progressing through the use of construction data to develop specialized language models, separate from more general foundation models, while other AEC industries continue to advance previously adopted technologies such as CAD and BIM.
AI infrastructure construction is a key focus of the bill. The legislation requires the Government Accountability Office to identify and revise infrastructure and energy-related regulations that burden AI systems, and directs a federal review of liquid cooling technologies used in AI data centers. AGC stated that ensuring AI-related investments continue to support demand for data center construction projects is one of the association's primary concerns with the legislation. Turmail noted that investment in AI technology has driven significant new demand for data center projects, and it is necessary to ensure this demand remains strong.
The core of the draft is the establishment of a Center for AI Standards and Innovation within the Department of Commerce, responsible for developing voluntary standards and best practices, evaluating advanced AI systems, and supporting testing projects. The legislation proposes appropriating $100 million annually for the center from 2027 to 2029. The most controversial provision in the draft is a three-year block on state and local laws specifically targeting AI model development after the bill's enactment, while preserving state authority over AI deployment and use, as well as generally applicable laws. Supporters OpenAI and Anthropic argue that a consistent national standard is needed; opponent Public Citizen criticizes the provision for stripping states of their power to address AI-related harms.
The draft's sponsors are seeking feedback from industry groups, labor organizations, and researchers, with formal introduction of the legislation to follow. In a joint statement, the sponsors emphasized that AI system development and deployment cross state lines, requiring a consistent national framework rather than allowing safeguards to exist only in a few states or forcing innovators to navigate dozens of different legal systems.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
