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119-s-5047119th Congress

Artificial Intelligence Physical Systems Coordination Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

Introduced

Summary

Compound risks from AI-enabled physical systems. This bill would create a National Institute of Standards and Technology working group to map how advances in AI, sensors, actuators, and digital twin technologies could create, change, or intensify physical safety and security risks and to recommend voluntary best practices and potential evaluation approaches.

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  • Developers and manufacturers would gain a formal forum to shape voluntary safety practices and possible benchmarks for emergent behaviors where software controls physical devices. That input could influence how sensors, robots, and automation are tested before deployment.
  • Academics, independent researchers, and civil society groups would be eligible for appointment to the 12 to 20 member panel to research risk pathways, identify indicators of evolving threats, and help align the group's work with existing voluntary standards efforts.
  • Policymakers, standards bodies, and industry deployers would get a public initial report within 540 days and updates at least every 2 years, with written reports and digital resources meant to inform testing, standards, and deployment decisions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New federal group on AI safety

This bill would require the NIST Director to create a Working Group on safety and security risks from AI, sensors, robots, and digital twins. The group would have 12 to 20 members appointed by the Director, with specific slots for industry, academics, independent researchers, civil-society experts, and other stakeholders. Industry slots would need at least two representatives in each named subcategory and no more than six from any single subcategory, covering AI developers and deployers, sensor and actuator developers and manufacturers, and automation and manufacturing integrators. Members would serve up to two-year terms and may be reappointed. The group would be consultative and nonregulatory, could not require disclosure of trade secrets or classified information, and would recommend voluntary best practices, tools, or benchmarks. NIST would publish an initial report within 540 days of enactment and updates at least once every two years, with public written and digital reports.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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