This bill would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create a pilot program and develop voluntary disclosure standards for how private-sector entities use artificial intelligence systems. The goal is to make AI use more understandable to customers, workers, investors, and the public without creating an immediate mandatory federal compliance regime. It would primarily affect businesses that build, buy, or deploy AI tools, especially those that make decisions or generate content at scale. The approach centers on guidance and standard-setting rather than fines or required nationwide reporting.
What This Bill Does
- Directs NIST to establish a pilot program on AI disclosure.
- Creates voluntary standards for private-sector AI disclosures.
- Focuses on transparency rather than mandatory reporting or penalties.
- Applies to businesses that use AI systems in products, services, or operations.
Who This Bill Affects
If you are a consumer, worker, or small business interacting with AI-enabled services, this bill could improve transparency by making companies more likely to disclose when AI is being used and what that means for decisions or communications affecting you. If you are a private-sector company deploying AI, it could create new voluntary standard-setting pressure and some added effort to align your disclosures with NIST guidance, but it would not itself impose a direct fee or tax. The most immediate effect would be felt by firms that choose to participate in the pilot program or adopt the disclosure standards as a trust-building measure.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Consumer advocates They would likely support clearer disclosure so people know when AI is shaping prices, recommendations, service interactions, or important decisions. Standardized disclosures can make it easier to compare companies and spot risky or deceptive uses.
- Businesses using AI responsibly Firms that already document their AI practices may welcome a common federal framework that can build customer trust and reduce confusion across different industry standards. A voluntary system can also encourage best practices without immediately imposing broad compliance costs.
- Workers and job applicants They may favor disclosure standards because AI is increasingly used in hiring screens, scheduling, surveillance, and performance tools. More transparency can help people understand when automated systems are affecting opportunities and workplace treatment.
- Small businesses and startups They may worry that even voluntary standards can evolve into de facto expectations that are easier for large firms to meet than for smaller ones. Preparing disclosures, audits, or documentation can divert time and money from product development.
- Some technology companies They may argue that broad disclosure rules could expose trade secrets or create a misleading impression that all AI systems are equally risky. They may prefer more flexible, use-specific guidance rather than standardized public labeling.
- Business compliance teams They may be concerned that a pilot program could become the first step toward future mandatory reporting requirements. Even nonbinding standards can push companies toward new governance layers and legal review processes.
Key Implications
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““establish a pilot program””
NIST would test approaches before broader adoption, giving agencies and companies a way to see which disclosure formats are workable in practice.
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““develop voluntary disclosure standards””
The standards would guide how companies describe AI use, but businesses would not be directly required by this bill to adopt them.
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““the use of artificial intelligence systems by private sector entities””
The focus is on companies and other private organizations, including vendors, platforms, employers, and service providers that deploy AI in their operations.
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““for other purposes””
This signals that the measure may include related implementation or administrative provisions connected to NIST’s standard-setting role.
Official Source & Bill Facts
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- Bill
- HR 9439
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Official title
- To amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a pilot program and develop voluntary disclosure standards relating to the use of artificial intelligence systems by private sector entities, and for other purposes.
- Policy area
- Technology
- Latest action
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. (June 24, 2026)
- Last updated
- June 25, 2026
Latest Status
June 24, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.