2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105031D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1250

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL directing the Office of the Attorney General to establish a Technology Governance and Coordination Program to support the Commonwealth's response to emergent technologies, including artificial intelligence, algorithmic systems, biometric systems, and automated decision-making tools.

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Patron—Anthony

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Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. A. That the Office of the Attorney General (the Attorney General) shall establish a Technology Governance and Coordination Program (the Program) to support the Commonwealth's response to emergent technologies, including artificial intelligence, algorithmic systems, biometric systems, and automated decision-making tools, subject to available resources.

§ 2. The Program shall operate as a centralized point of coordination for (i) consumer protection concerning emergent technologies; (ii) interagency communication for applications of technology in the public sector; (iii) intake, triage, and referral of technology-related harms; and (iv) supporting compliance with existing law, including the Consumer Data Protection Act (§ 59.1-575 et seq.).

§ 3. The Attorney General shall coordinate with relevant agencies, including the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, the Office of Data Governance and Analytics, the State Corporation Commission, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Social Services, and the Virginia State Police, as appropriate, to carry out the goals of the Program. Such coordination shall include referral pathways, subject-matter consultation, and identification of risks for potential enforcement or legislative action.

§ 4. The Attorney General shall maintain a public intake mechanism, which may utilize existing complaint or reporting infrastructure, to receive and categorize complaints relating to emergent technologies. Complaints shall be classified for informational review, follow-up, or referral to an appropriate enforcement authority.

§ 5. By December 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit a report to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science, not to exceed eight pages, summarizing complaint intake activity, enforcement referral patterns, interagency coordination, emerging trends, and legislative recommendations.

§ 6. Nothing in this act shall create independent regulatory authority over the development or deployment of emergent technologies nor conflict with federal law.

§ 7. If funds are appropriated to establish a Technology Enforcement Unit or similar entity within the Office of the Attorney General, the Program shall serve as the foundational structure for such entity.

§ 8. Implementation of this act shall be conducted within existing appropriations to the extent practicable. Additionally, the Attorney General may seek private or federal funding.

§ 9. The provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2029.