Senate Bill 328 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Artificial Intelligence; state agencies required to perform quarterly AI-assisted review of rules

Summary

SB328 would require every Alabama state agency to conduct quarterly AI-assisted reviews of all rules and guidance, with human oversight and annual reporting.

What This Bill Does

It requires agencies to acquire or develop agentic AI systems to analyze every rule or guidance document. The AI analyzes aspects like whether requirements are discretionary or mandated, potential conflicts or duplication, alignment with other standards, plain language, and costs. Agency staff must review and approve AI recommendations before any changes are made, ensuring human oversight. An initial comprehensive AI-assisted review must be completed by April 1, 2027, followed by quarterly AI-assisted reviews.

Who It Affects

• State executive agencies and their staff, who must implement AI systems, perform quarterly AI-assisted reviews, and publish annual information about the reviews.
• Businesses, nonprofits, and individuals regulated by Alabama state agency rules, who may see changes in rules and guidance and potential changes in compliance costs or cost savings resulting from rule updates.

Key Provisions

• Initial AI-assisted comprehensive review of all rules and guidance documents by April 1, 2027.
• Quarterly AI-assisted reviews of all rules and guidance documents after the initial review.
• States must acquire or create agentic AI systems capable of performing required analyses.
• AI analyses must assess discretionary vs. mandated requirements, conflicts/duplication, comparisons to neighboring states and federal standards, plain language, and costs (training, fees, administrative costs, people affected, and other compliance costs) and include a cost-benefit analysis.
• AI recommendations must be reviewed and approved by qualified agency staff; no rule may be amended or repealed solely based on AI analysis.
• During reviews, agencies must eliminate conflicts with law, remove duplications, simplify language, update outdated or burdensome rules, and correct citations.
• If AI identifies provisions as unnecessarily burdensome but they are retained, staff must document public benefits and why less burdensome alternatives are insufficient.
• If an agency is subject to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, it must follow APA procedures when adopting or amending rules under this act.
• Annual report due by September 1 each year detailing rules reviewed, modified/eliminated, AI recommendations accepted/rejected, and estimated cost savings; report published on agency websites.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Government Administration