DeSantis Pushes AI Bill of Rights for Second Time as House Remains Opposed
Governor’s second attempt at AI regulation faces House opposition and Trump administration pressure as special session approaches.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis is making a second attempt to advance his “AI Bill of Rights” through the Florida Legislature, setting up a potential showdown with House Speaker Danny Perez as lawmakers prepare for a special session next week.
The Republican governor is pursuing the artificial intelligence regulation measure despite opposition from his own party and the Trump administration. DeSantis’s stance puts him at odds with President Donald Trump and tech industry allies who favor federal oversight over state-level AI restrictions.
House Opposition Remains Strong
The state House previously refused to consider the AI Bill of Rights during the regular session, even after the Senate approved the measure. House Speaker Danny Perez, a Miami Republican, maintains his opposition heading into the April 28 to May 1 special session.
“There isn’t a mandate somewhere in that executive order or somewhere in that proposed legislation for states to kind of take the initiative and have 50 different proposals on artificial intelligence,” Perez said during a Sunday appearance on Glenna Milberg’s “This Week in South Florida.”
Perez argues that AI regulation should remain under federal jurisdiction, aligning with Trump’s executive order and proposed federal legislation that would limit states’ abilities to pass AI-restrictive laws.
Federal Pressure and Political Dynamics
The governor’s push comes amid broader Republican retreat from AI regulation. The Trump administration has directly contacted Perez to discourage Florida’s AI Bill of Rights, according to reports. This federal intervention represents a significant obstacle to DeSantis’s legislative agenda.
The political scene has also shifted with campaign finance developments. U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, the Republican favored to succeed DeSantis as governor, received a $5 million donation last month from one of the top pro-AI super PACs in the nation.
Uncertain Legislative Path
DeSantis’s legislation would establish comprehensive state-level guardrails for artificial intelligence use in Florida. However, the measure faces significant hurdles given the House leadership’s stated opposition and external pressure from federal officials.
The upcoming special session will test whether DeSantis can overcome resistance within his own party to advance what would be one of the most sweeping state AI regulation packages in the country.
The four-day special session begins April 28 and concludes May 1, providing a narrow window for legislative action on the controversial measure. The outcome will likely influence other states considering similar AI regulation approaches.
