As states race to regulate AI, the White House’s National AI Legislative Framework is the clearest path forward — a pro-innovation blueprint designed to stop a fragmented 50-state patchwork that would kill competitiveness and create compliance nightmares. 38 states already passed nearly 100 AI laws in 2025. Now in 2026, lawmakers in 45 states have introduced ~1,500 AI bills (and counting) — many directly contradicting the federal framework’s preemption-focused approach. Examples moving fast in red and blue states: - Tennessee HB 1455/SB 1493 - New York S8828 - South Carolina SB 963 - Illinois SB 3444 As these bills advance, lawmakers and governors should carefully consider the risks of diverging from one federal rulebook, which ensures America’s AI edge.