How Colorado’s AG plans to police new AI law

Welcome to States of Play

We spoke to Colorado‘s attorney general about how he plans to enforce the state’s landmark artificial intelligence law. And reproductive rights advocates notched another win in their quest to put abortion rights measures on state ballots. Keep reading for more on the policies shaping the nation.

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Colorado‘s newly enacted AI law is the broadest in the nation. It’s aimed at combating potential threats posed by high-risk AI systems — defined as those that make consequential decisions — through various approaches. But how the law will actually affect people and companies will largely depend on state Attorney General Phil Weiser (D), who is tasked with implementing and enforcing it.

In an interview with Bloomberg Government, the Democratic official said his goal is to bring businesses into compliance, and that his enforcement will be limited to “flagrant” violations rather than “ticky-tack fouls.” He also said he’ll seek a “range of perspectives” in determining how it will work in practice ahead of its February 2026 implementation date. (Bloomberg Government)

ABORTION

An initiative to enshrine abortion protections in the Colorado Constitution has enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. (Colorado Newsline) It’s the latest victory for reproductive rights advocates, who have already succeeding in getting abortion rights measures on the ballot in South Dakota, Florida, and Maryland. (Associated Press)

Nevada could soon join them. Supporters of a proposed abortion rights ballot measure there say they have enough signatures for it to qualify. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

New York‘s highest court upheld the state’s insurance coverage requirements for medically necessary abortions, saying it doesn’t run afoul of a 2021 US Supreme Court ruling. (Bloomberg Government)

Abortion providers are challenging a new Kansas law that requires them to ask patients why they want to end their pregnancies. (Bloomberg Government)

The Biden administration sued two anti-abortion groups and their activists, alleging they violated federal law by physically obstructing access to reproductive health clinics in Ohio. (Bloomberg Government)

HEALTH

The Louisiana Senate passed a bill aimed at shielding providers of in-vitro fertilization treatments from liability while also restricting when they can send embryos out-of-state. The bill heads back to the state House, which passed a version without those limits on moving embryos. (Advocate)

Maryland‘s prescription drug board voted Monday to review the cost of blockbuster diabetes drugs Ozempic, Trulicity, Jardiance, and Farxiga. The months-long process, which involves collecting data and public comments on the affordability of the medications, will help the panel determine whether to set limits on what state health plans pay for them. (Bloomberg Government)

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation that prohibits restaurants, hotels, and other businesses from adding service fees and other mandatory charges known as “junk fees” to customers’ bills. (Minnesota Reformer)

SOCIAL POLICY

On the final day of Minnesota‘s legislative session, lawmakers failed to pass an amendment that would have enshrined protections for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights in the state Constitution. (Associated Press)

Radar Check: California’s Looming ‘House of Origin’ Deadline

CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS have until Friday to advance hundreds of bills out of the chamber they were introduced under the state’s “house of origin” deadline. The state’s $27 billion budget shortfall leaves lawmakers with little money to tackle pressing issues like artificial intelligence and climate change.

LABOR

The United Auto Workers is exploring various legal strategies to unionize a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama, even after workers there voted against organizing last week. (Bloomberg Government)

ESG

Democrats on the US House Judiciary Committee are seeking information about the financial impact of anti-ESG state laws in Florida and Texas. Lawmakers sent letters to state officials asking for details about how taxpayers have been affected by laws that penalize companies for using environmental, social, and governance factors. (Bloomberg Government)

ENVIRONMENT

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) enacted a law that establishes a framework for state wildlife officials to reintroduce the North American wolverine. (Colorado Public Radio)

INSURANCE

More than two-thirds of a $3 billion fund meant to prop up Florida‘s struggling property insurance market hasn’t been tapped since going online in 2022. (Orlando Sentinel)

CANNABIS

The California Assembly approved a bill that would pave the way for Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes, lifting a ban on dispensaries from selling non-cannabis food and nonalcoholic beverages, and allowing them to host live music and other performances. The bill now heads to the Senate. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a similar bill last year. (Los Angeles Times)