Photo of Texas Governor Greg Abbott signing a bill into law. — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, shown here signing a bill earlier this month, has signed the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA) into law. This is the first red-state comprehensive act governing AI safety, transparency, and security. (Photo: Office of the Texas Governor)

June 23, 2025 — In a major step forward for AI safety, security, and transparency, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this morning announced that he has signed the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA) into law.

The enactment of the 31-page HB 149 represents the first red-state adoption of a comprehensive AI law designed to encourage tech innovation while protecting Texans from harm.

prime example of states leading on ai policy

“By enacting the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act, Gov. Abbott is showing Texas-style leadership in governing artificial intelligence. During a time when others are asserting that AI is an exceptional technology that should have no guardrails, Texas shows that it is critically important to ensure both innovation and citizen safety. Gov. Abbott’s support also highlights the importance of the states as bipartisan national laboratories for nimbly developing AI policy."

what TRAIGA does

The new law applies mainly to AI models and systems developed or deployed by state government agencies.

Significantly, under the new law government AI developers and deployers will be required to disclose, clearly and conspicuously, the fact that a consumer is interacting with an AI system. Commercial (non-governmental) AI developers and deployers will not be subject to this requirement under TRAIGA.

The new law also contains prohibitions against outright “manipulation of human behavior to incite harm or criminality.”

The new law states: “An artificial intelligence system shall not be intentionally developed or deployed to encourage a person to commit physical self-harm, including suicide; harm another person; or engage in criminal activity.” Deceptive trade practices intended to manipulate human behavior to circumvent informed decision-making are also prohibited by the new law.

The Texas Responsible AI Governance Act will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

years in the making

Texas State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R) spent two years gathering input from stakeholders around the state over the past two years, prior to filing the bill early in the 2025 session. (The Texas legislature meets only in odd-numbered years.)

Working with Sen. Charles Schwertner (R), and fellow House Republicans including Rep. Angie Chen Button, Rep. Greg Bonnen, and Rep. Angelia Orr, Capriglione revised his original TRAIGA proposal to produce a pragmatic bill that found success in both the House and the Senate, passing with wide majorities in both chambers.