HB 797

An Act to direct the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models or applications; report.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) shall evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models' or applications' adherence to standards reflecting best practices for the prevention of personal injury and property damage. In evaluating the feasibility and impact of developing such a framework, JCOTS shall consider (i) the nature and magnitude of risks imposed by artificial intelligence models or applications deployed in the Commonwealth; (ii) the availability of identifiable and measurable metrics to determine levels of risk; (iii) existing standards for technical, operational, and other mitigation requirements for persons or entities that deploy artificial intelligence models or applications in the Commonwealth or develop artificial intelligence models or applications that are deployed in the Commonwealth; (iv) current methodologies and sources used to evaluate the efficacy of such mitigation requirements; (v) practices and strategies employed in other states to assess artificial intelligence models' or applications' adherence to industry standards; and (vi) the fiscal impact of developing and implementing a framework for assessment of artificial intelligence models and applications through independent verification organizations. If JCOTS recommends the development of such a framework, JCOTS shall further evaluate (a) the feasibility of a licensing scheme for independent verification organizations and (b) the viability of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency or any other state agency to implement and manage such licensing scheme. JCOTS shall submit a report with its recommendations and any findings to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and General Laws and Technology and the House Committees on Appropriations and Communications, Technology and Innovation no later than November 1, 2026.