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119-s-2750119th CongressWALLET

SANDBOX Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Introduced

Summary

A federal AI regulatory sandbox to let companies test AI under temporary legal waivers. The bill would create a structured program to encourage U.S. AI innovation and job growth by allowing time‑limited deviations from specified statutes or rules for testing, while requiring disclosure, monitoring, and eventual full compliance.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Congress reports and fast review

If enacted, the Director would send Congress an annual report on applications, approvals, benefits, harms, and the number of consumers affected. The Director must also send a special message each year listing covered provisions to amend or repeal and descriptions of waived rules. Congress would get expedited procedures to consider those messages.

Standard application, help, and deadlines

If enacted, the Director would create a single application form and may help applicants identify relevant rules and agencies. Agencies must decide on applications within 90 days, with one 30‑day extension allowed. The Director may publish granted waivers and provide a way for others to apply to use them.

Rules for firms testing AI

If enacted, participants would sign written agreements listing each waived rule and required risk controls. They must report incidents that harm health, cause economic damage, or are unfair within 72 hours and file public notices and periodic reports. Waivers start for 2 years, may be renewed, but can be revoked after a 30‑day correction period; consumers keep rights to seek damages for non‑waived claims.

Federal AI test program and coordination

If enacted, the bill would require the OSTP Director to set up a federal AI regulatory sandbox within one year. The program would let parties apply for temporary waivers to test AI products or development methods with consumers. The program would terminate 12 years after it is established.

Court review of sandbox decisions

If enacted, certain Program actions—like an agency's decision record, renewals, a missing written agreement, and revocations—would be treated as final agency actions subject to judicial review. This would let courts consider legal challenges to those decisions.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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