Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA), on June 22, 2025. The law took effect on January 1, 2026.
TRAIGA establishes three core mechanisms: consumer protections against high-risk AI use, a regulatory sandbox programme allowing developers to test AI systems under relaxed compliance conditions, and the Texas Artificial Intelligence Council. The Council is charged with oversight, advising state agencies, and supporting innovation. It is not a full regulator — enforcement authority under TRAIGA rests exclusively with the Texas Attorney General, who must provide a 60-day cure period before pursuing action. There is no private right of action.
In the employment context, TRAIGA prohibits the development or deployment of an AI system with intent to discriminate against a protected class under federal or state law. This creates a limited but binding legal protection for workers subject to AI-assisted employment decisions.
Who it affects: Businesses deploying high-risk AI systems in Texas, including those using AI in hiring, performance evaluation, and employment decisions. The Texas AI Council also covers public-sector AI use.
What is notably missing: TRAIGA contains no AI literacy training obligation for employers, no curriculum requirement for schools, and no mandatory training for civil servants. The Council is advisory, not regulatory. Enforcement is limited to the Attorney General and requires a violation to be intentional.