AI Systems Transparency Act
Requires covered AI developers and system operators to publish information about safety, privacy, testing and model performance.
In the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee since Sept. 23, 2026, 15 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 23, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
People may not know how an AI system was tested, what it can do, or how it handles their data. The bill would require covered AI developers and system operators to publish information about safety, privacy, testing, performance, and system use. It would give the FTC a role in deciding which systems are covered and enforcing the disclosure rules.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Require developers to publish AI disclosures
Developers of covered generative AI models would publish two versions of information: a clear disclosure for consumers and a more detailed one for independent researchers. Topics include data practices, safety measures, testing results, model capabilities and limitations, and changes between model versions.
- Set disclosure rules for system operators
The FTC, consulting with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, would set disclosure requirements for covered deployers of AI systems. The rules would be tailored to deployers and their systems, using requirements for developers as a guide.
- Let the FTC designate risky AI systems
The FTC would set criteria for identifying models or deployments likely to reach the user thresholds in the bill, and for designating a model or system as covered because it poses a significant safety risk. Before most designations take effect, the FTC would give the developer or deployer written notice and at least 30 days to respond; an imminent-risk designation could take effect immediately, with a later opportunity to respond.
- Cover substantial model modifiers
The FTC would set rules requiring entities that significantly change a covered model’s behavior or capabilities to publish information about it. The Commission could tailor which disclosures apply to those entities.
- Enforce disclosures through the FTC
Violations of the disclosure requirements would be treated as violations of FTC rules against unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The FTC would enforce the law using its existing powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
The bill focuses on whether the public can understand how covered AI models are tested, what data practices they use, and what safeguards they have for minors and other vulnerable users. Its disclosures could give consumers and researchers more information to assess those systems, while limits on revealing trade secrets and sensitive security details recognize that some information could itself create risks.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 23, 2026SENATESEP 23, 2026By Sen. Coons with 3 original cosponsorsReferred to Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 23, 2026COMMERCE, SCIENCE, & TRANSPORTATION NOWSEP 23, 2026In committee for 15 daysNo hearing yet
- 15 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 15, this bill is already older than 4% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 3 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. The smaller side has 1 member.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. The smaller side has 1 member.
Sen. Coons’s record: sponsored 66 bills this Congress. 8 passed the Senate; 1 became law.
- Katie Boyd BrittR-ALORIGINAL
- James LankfordR-OKORIGINAL
- Brian SchatzD-HIORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the Senate, or is signed into law.
