relative to the use of information technology and artificial intelligence systems by state agencies.
What changed between versions
The entire standalone Artificial Intelligence Oversight Commission (RSA 21-M:20) was eliminated, including its membership structure (legislative appointees, attorney general, secretary of state, various commissioners, public members), its mandate to study AI's effects on workforce, wages, education, healthcare, consumer protections, and political communications, and its recommendation-making authority.
The bill's scope narrowed from studying AI's broad commercial and political effects across the state (including campaign communications and microtargeting) to specifically governing how state agencies use AI systems, with accountability mechanisms built into existing IT governance structures rather than a new standalone body.
The existing Information Technology Council (RSA 21-R:6) now has an explicit advisory role on the development, procurement, deployment, and use of AI systems by state agencies, including compliance with RSA 5-D, opportunities to improve government efficiency, and effects on the state workforce.
A new section (RSA 21-R:9-b) requires the IT commissioner to maintain a public inventory of all AI systems deployed by executive branch agencies, listing the name, vendor, using agencies, purpose, whether it makes decisions affecting individuals' rights or benefits, and deployment date. The inventory must be posted on the department's website and updated at least annually.
A new annual report requirement (due October 1 each year) mandates the IT commissioner to submit a report to the legislature, governor, and state library covering: changes in the AI inventory, agency compliance with RSA 5-D, efficiency gains or cost savings from AI, incidents involving unauthorized use or disclosure of personal information by AI systems, workforce effects, and recommendations for legislation or policy changes.
Technical committees under RSA 21-R:7 now explicitly include artificial intelligence technologies (generative AI, automated decision systems, and machine learning) among the topics they may advise on, with a requirement that personnel from all three branches of state government be represented.
