HB 5690
By Rachel Coffman
SENATE : 34-0 � HOUSE : 95-2
Prior to the legislative session , the leadership of the West Virginia Legislature , in collaboration with major university systems , began exploring strategies to define and address artificial intelligence ( AI ) policy within the state . Taking a proactive approach , House Speaker Roger Hanshaw established an AI committee in the House , chaired by Delegate Jarrod Cannon . The committee ’ s objective extends beyond the mere development of AI policy ; it is also charged with soliciting input and insight from various industries .
The committee hosted presentations from technology industry leaders , AI legal experts and other relevant stakeholders . Among the significant legislative actions taken by the committee was the passage of HB 5690 , which establishes the West Virginia Task Force on Artificial Intelligence within the Governor ’ s Office . Comprised of representatives from both the private and public sectors , the purpose of this task force is to define AI , identify appropriate agencies for overseeing AI policy , delineate best practices for the public sector and propose relevant legislation .
The task force will consist of a member from the West Virginia House of Delegates , representative from the West Virginia Senate , the state ’ s chief information officer from the Office of Technology or their delegate , the state superintendent of schools or their designate , the chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission or their appointee , the state attorney general or their representative , the state secretary of the department of administration or their designate , the state secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or their appointee , the secretary of health or their designate and a representative from the West Virginia Fusion Center .
Additionally , the task force will feature four appointees by the governor from the private sector , each representing key areas of focus of the technology landscape : the cybersecurity industry , the AI industry , a statewide business association and either the WVU Health System or the Marshall Health Network . The bill stipulates that the task force must submit a report by July 1 , 2025 .
Another area of focus around AI policy was the regulation of deepfake technology , particularly its application in cases involving child pornography and unauthorized use in obscene contexts and its potential impact on elections . While several bills addressing these concerns passed the House , they failed to progress in the Senate . It is anticipated that AI policy will remain a prominent area of legislative interest . •
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Photo by Perry Bennett , WV Legislative Photography . pocavalleybank . com