FOUR KEY AI BILLS ENACTED DURING THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 95th General Assembly addressed the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), considering and enacting legislation to address the societal and ethical implications of AI. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers introduced 14 bills addressing various aspects of AI, with four making it through the legislative process and being signed into law. These laws reflect the state's efforts to balance technological advancement with the protection of individual rights, safety, and public trust.
HB1958: Mandating AI Policies for Public Entities
On April 17, 2025, Governor Sanders signed HB1958 into law, marking a significant step toward regulating AI use in public institutions. Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Meeks and Sen. Jane English, this law mandates that all public entities in Arkansas, ranging from state agencies and public schools to local governments, establish formal policies governing the use of AI and automated decision tools.
Under Act 848, these entities must clearly define when and how AI can be used, ensuring human oversight in the final decision-making process, even when AI is involved in the recommendation phase. The law also requires that employees receive training on appropriate AI use and that these policies be made publicly accessible upon request. A key provision of the law is the prohibition against the misuse of AI tools or public resources for political or unlawful purposes, ensuring that AI remains a force for good in public governance.
HB1876: Defining Ownership of AI-Generated Content
As AI continues to generate vast amounts of content, questions surrounding intellectual property and ownership have become increasingly important. HB1876, signed into law on April 21, 2025, by Governor Sanders, brings much-needed clarity to these issues. Sponsored by Rep. Scott Richardson and Sen. Joshua Bryant, Act 927 establishes that individuals who provide inputs to generative AI tools are the owners of the resulting content or trained models, provided the content does not infringe on existing copyrights or intellectual property rights.
The law states that if AI-generated content or models are created within the scope of employment, the employer retains ownership. This distinction helps protect both creators and businesses as the use of generative AI becomes more widespread in various industries.
HB1877: Criminalizing AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
One of the most critical areas of concern with AI technology is its potential use for harmful and illegal activities. HB1877, signed into law on April 22, 2025, addresses the use of AI to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Meeks, Sen. Joshua Bryant, and 36 other House sponsors, Act 977 amends Arkansas law to criminalize the creation, possession, and distribution of AI-generated CSAM that is indistinguishable from real children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
This law provides important protections by defining key terms like “computer-generated image,” “indistinguishable,” and “adversarial testing,” while also offering exemptions for law enforcement and legitimate AI safety researchers who are operating in good faith. By closing gaps in existing laws, HB1877 helps ensure that technology is not used to exploit vulnerable individuals or perpetuate harm.
HB1071: Expanding Publicity Rights for AI-Generated Content
With the increasing realism of AI-generated content, including the ability to replicate voices, images, and likenesses of individuals, HB1071 addresses concerns related to privacy and exploitation. Signed into law by Governor Sanders on February 25, 2025, Act 159 amends the Frank Broyles Publicity Rights Protection Act of 2016, expanding its scope to include AI-generated content.
Sponsored by Rep. Scott Richardson and Sen. Joshua Bryant, the law now explicitly recognizes AI-created images, voice simulations, and likenesses as part of the definition of "likeness" and "photograph." It ensures that individuals’ identifiable attributes cannot be used for commercial gain without their consent. This update is particularly important as deepfake technology and other AI-driven content creation tools continue to evolve, ensuring individuals have more control over how their identity is used.
Conclusion
Arkansas' proactive approach through these four laws signals a commitment to addressing AI's growing influence while safeguarding public trust, personal rights, and safety. The enactment of these laws ensures that Arkansas remains a leader in the responsible regulation of AI technology.