Republicans in Florida again block Ron DeSantis' push to regulate AI
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' push for state-level AI regulation was blocked again by Republican lawmakers during a special legislative session. Despite support from the state Senate, the House declined to consider the proposal, aligning with federalist views expressed by President Donald Trump. DeSantis, positioning himself as a Republican skeptic on AI, criticized his party for failing to act on AI risks and vaccine exemptions.
- ▪Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez refused to consider DeSantis' AI regulation proposal during a special session.
- ▪The Florida Senate passed DeSantis' requested AI legislation on a bipartisan vote, but it will not advance without House action.
- ▪President Donald Trump's administration has advocated for federal, rather than state, regulation of AI.
- ▪DeSantis has focused his AI skepticism on risks to children and the proliferation of large data centers.
- ▪A pro-AI super PAC spent $5 million supporting Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidate in Florida.
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Artificial intelligenceRepublicans in Florida again block Ron DeSantis' push to regulate AIThe governor is emerging as a voice of AI skepticism in the Republican Party, but the state Legislature declined to take up DeSantis' push for legislation.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' skepticism has largely centered on opposition to massive data centers and the danger AI can pose to children. Corey Perrine / Florida Times-Union via USA Today Network ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 28, 2026, 1:01 PM EDTBy Matt DixonTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Republicans in Florida have once again rebuffed Gov.
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