SB 104: State Government; use or installation of any artificial intelligence system on state equipment when the company that developed or deployed such artificial intelligence system is associated with the People's Republic of China; prohibit

Georgia law currently has no specific rule barring state and local government agencies from using artificial intelligence tools made by companies connected to China. This bill would add a new article to the state's information technology law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 29 of Title 50) to close that gap. It defines 'agency' broadly to include the state and any branch, department, county, municipality, school district, or authority created under Georgia law, along with their officials and employees. It defines 'artificial intelligence system' as any engineered or machine based system that emulates human cognitive processes like learning, reasoning, planning, or communicating. The bill then bars any covered agency from installing or using such a system on state equipment if the company that made or deployed it is owned or operated by the People's Republic of China, or is headquartered, domiciled, or organized under Chinese law. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not state a specific future effective date beyond the standard process.

• Adds a new article to Georgia's information technology law banning agencies from installing or using AI systems on state equipment tied to Chinese companies.
• Defines 'agency' broadly to cover state government, counties, municipalities, school districts, consolidated governments, and their officials and employees.
• Defines 'artificial intelligence system' as a machine based system that emulates human cognitive abilities like learning, reasoning, and predicting.
• Bans use of AI systems developed or deployed by companies owned, operated, headquartered, domiciled, or legally organized in the People's Republic of China.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with this new prohibition.

State government agencies, county and municipal governments, school districts, consolidated governments, and public authorities in Georgia, along with their officials and employees who use state-owned computer equipment and any technology vendors offering AI products to these government entities.

If enacted, Georgia government offices, schools, and local governments would need to screen AI software and vendors for ties to China before installing them on state equipment, potentially limiting technology choices and requiring new vetting procedures for IT purchases across the state.

• Section 1 creates new Code Section 50-29-30 defining 'agency' to include virtually all Georgia state and local government bodies and their employees.
• Section 1 also defines 'artificial intelligence system' broadly to include any machine system emulating human cognitive processes such as learning, reasoning, or communicating.
• New Code Section 50-29-31 prohibits any covered agency from installing or using an AI system on state equipment if the developing or deploying company is owned, operated by, or based in the People's Republic of China.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with the new prohibition.

1. 2025-02-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-05Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)

• artificial intelligence
• state government technology
• China policy
• cybersecurity
• government procurement