Empower state legislatures and city councils to enact AI ordinances.
Drive faster, sub-federal guardrails that require disclosure and constrain high-risk uses while federal policy lags. This strategy uses state and city policymaking to create enforceable protections sooner, build proof that safeguards are workable, and increase pressure for clearer national baseline rules.
Why this works
- In absence of federal action, states and cities can move faster.
- We’re already seeing bipartisan support in state legislatures for deepfake disclosure laws and biometric bans – in fact, 28 states have now enacted laws addressing AI deepfakes in political communications, showing a groundswell that can be built upon.
- States can function as testing grounds: e.g.
- Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) gave residents rights over facial data and has influenced thinking nationwide.
- Local bans on face surveillance (San Francisco, Boston) proved that public safety did not implode, helping debunk arguments against such bans.
- These sub-federal efforts not only protect residents sooner but maintain momentum and pressure for a federal fix.
Common Cause
AdvocacyBuilding a stronger democracy and accountable government
Common Cause is a grassroots organization founded in 1970 to uphold the core values of American democracy. It works to create an open, honest, and accountable government by tackling issues like ethics in politics, money in elections, voting rights, and gerrymandering::. With chapters in many states, Common Cause mobilizes citizens, advocates for reforms at all levels of government, and has been instrumental in passing transparency and ethics laws.
Mechanism
About LobbyingHow Common Cause uses funding
- Identify the highest-leverage jurisdictions and the specific guardrails they can enact.
- Draft model ordinances and bill language that is clear, enforceable, and defensible.
- Build coalitions that can support hearings, votes, and implementation.
- Track adoption and iterate based on enforcement and court challenges.
- Translate state and local wins into pressure for stronger federal rules and agency action.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Priority jurisdictions and model language set
Near termA playbook and draft bill/ordinance language is ready.
- 2
Bills introduced and advanced
During legislative windowsHearings and votes move transparency and guardrail provisions forward.
- 3
Implementation guidance deployed
After enactmentAgencies and stakeholders have practical compliance guidance.
- 4
Wins scaled and synthesized
OngoingLessons from enforcement inform stronger, more consistent rules elsewhere.