AI Kill Switch Act
Sponsored By: Representative Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
In Committee
Summary
Requires covered AI systems to include a built-in, government-definable shutdown capability. The bill would add a new section to the Homeland Security Act that creates a dynamic rulemaking regime to decide which AI technologies and which entities are covered and ties a mandatory shutdown-capability obligation to a graduated deployment and correction framework. It would also grant rapid emergency authority for government-ordered actions during covered incidents and set up enforcement tools and oversight while protecting certain confidential submissions.
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- Developers and operators: Covered entities would have to build and maintain a shutdown capability and follow staged deployment and correction rules tied to that capability. This creates a direct operational requirement for anyone the rulemaking designates.
- Small businesses: The measure anchors the term "small business concern" to the Small Business Act definition so that the same statutory test determines which smaller firms fall under the new requirements.
- Government, regulators, and public safety: Agencies would get emergency powers to act quickly during incidents and could use audits, civil penalties, and civil lawsuits to enforce compliance while keeping submitted information confidential.
Note: The provided text sets high-level duties and authorities but does not include numeric thresholds, timelines, funding, or detailed procedures for how the shutdown standard or emergency actions would work.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New emergency shutdown and penalties
This bill would give the Secretary emergency authority to order actions after a covered incident. Orders could stop inference, end access, suspend accounts, or shut down technology. Covered entities would have to preserve model weights and telemetry, notify affected users when practicable, and confirm compliance. Violations could bring fines up to $2,000,000 per day, and violations tied to emergency orders up to $20,000,000 per day. A company could petition for reconsideration within 48 hours, the Secretary must decide in five days, and the company could seek court review in 60 days. Covered incidents would have to be reported within 15 days. The agency could subpoena documents and testimony and would keep nonpublic submissions private. Minor technical violations fixed within 30 days would not count as violations.
Which AI systems and firms are covered
This bill would define which AI systems and companies the rules apply to. A "covered entity" would be one that runs or offers a covered AI to third parties and had at least $500,000,000 in related revenue in the prior calendar year. A "covered technology" would be an AI whose development used cloud compute that would have cost more than $100,000,000. Major incidents outside testing would be "covered" if they cause 10 or more deaths or $100,000,000 or more in economic damage. The Secretary would update these coverage rules within 90 days of enactment and every year after.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov