SB384 • 2026

Artificial intelligence; framework for person/entity acting as an independent verification org.

An Act to direct the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models or applications; report.

Technology

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Williams Graves
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify what will happen with any recommendations or findings after the report is submitted.

Artificial Intelligence Verification Framework

This act directs a group to study how to create rules for checking if artificial intelligence (AI) is safe and follows good practices.

What This Bill Does

Tells the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to look into making rules for people or groups that check AI models or apps.
Asks JCOTS to think about how risky AI can be, what tools are used to measure this risk, and if there are already good standards in place.
Suggests looking at other states' methods for checking AI safety and figuring out the cost of setting up a system here.

Who It Names or Affects

The Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) will have new work to do.
People or groups interested in checking AI models or apps might be affected by any rules created from this study.

Terms To Know

Joint Commission on Technology and Science: A group that studies technology issues in Virginia.
Independent Verification Organization: An organization that checks if AI models or apps meet certain safety standards.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not say exactly what the rules will be, only that JCOTS should study how to make them.
It is unclear who would manage any licensing scheme for these verification organizations after the report is done.

Bill History

2026-04-08 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 426 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-08 Governor
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0426)
2026-04-06 Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB384)
2026-03-31 Senate
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-31 House
Signed by Speaker
2026-03-31 Senate
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-30 Senate
Signed by President
2026-03-30 Senate
Enrolled
2026-03-30 Senate
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB384ER)
2026-03-11 House
Read third time
2026-03-11 House
Passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-10 House
Read second time
2026-03-06 Rules
Reported from Rules (18-Y 0-N)
2026-03-02 Studies Subcommittee
Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
2026-03-01 Studies Subcommittee
Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
2026-02-13 Finance and Appropriations
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB384)
2026-02-12 House
Placed on Calendar
2026-02-12 House
Read first time
2026-02-12 Rules
Referred to Committee on Rules
2026-02-09 Senate
Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-06 Senate
Read second time
2026-02-06 Senate
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
2026-02-06 General Laws and Technology
General Laws and Technology Substitute rejected
2026-02-06 Finance and Appropriations
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
2026-02-06 Senate
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
2026-02-05 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-02-05 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-02-05 Finance and Appropriations
Committee substitute printed 26107157D-S2
2026-02-05 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-05 Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-02-04 Finance and Appropriations
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
2026-02-04 Senate
Senate committee offered
2026-01-29 General Laws and Technology
Committee substitute printed 26106318D-S1
2026-01-28 General Laws and Technology
Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 1-N 1-A)
2026-01-28 Senate
Senate committee offered
2026-01-26 Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB384)
2026-01-13 Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101618D
2026-01-13 General Laws and Technology
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

Official Summary Text

Joint Commission on Technology and Science; artificial intelligence; independent verification organizations.
Directs the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models' or applications' adherence to standards reflecting best practices for the prevention of personal injury and property damage. The bill directs JCOTS to submit a report with its recommendations and any findings to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and General Laws and Technology and the House Committees on Appropriations and Communications, Technology and Innovation by November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 797.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

An Act to direct the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models or applications; report.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1.
§ 1. That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) shall evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models' or applications' adherence to standards reflecting best practices for the prevention of personal injury and property damage. In evaluating the feasibility and impact of developing such a framework, JCOTS shall consider (i) the nature and magnitude of risks imposed by artificial intelligence models or applications deployed in the Commonwealth; (ii) the availability of identifiable and measurable metrics to determine levels of risk; (iii) existing standards for technical, operational, and other mitigation requirements for persons or entities that deploy artificial intelligence models or applications in the Commonwealth or develop artificial intelligence models or applications that are deployed in the Commonwealth; (iv) current methodologies and sources used to evaluate the efficacy of such mitigation requirements; (v) practices and strategies employed in other states to assess artificial intelligence models' or applications' adherence to industry standards; and (vi) the fiscal impact of developing and implementing a framework for assessment of artificial intelligence models and applications through independent verification organizations. If JCOTS recommends the development of such a framework, JCOTS shall further evaluate (a) the feasibility of a licensing scheme for independent verification organizations and (b) the viability of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency or any other state agency to implement and manage such licensing scheme. JCOTS shall submit a report with its recommendations and any findings to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and General Laws and Technology and the House Committees on Appropriations and Communications, Technology and Innovation no later than November 1, 2026.