Pennsylvania · House Bill · 2023–2024 Regular Session
HB49
Pennsylvania HB 49 — An Act amending The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of State and its departmental administrative board, providing for artificial intelligence registry

Status ● Failed Effective N/A Passage Likelihood N/A

WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES

How Is This Bill Enforced

Enforcement Authority
No enforcement mechanism specified. The bill establishes a registry administered by the Department of State but does not create penalties for non-registration, does not designate an enforcement authority, and does not provide a private right of action.
Private Right of Action
No private right of action. Enforcement is exclusive to the designated authority.
Penalties
The bill does not establish any penalties, remedies, or damages for non-compliance.

What This Bill Requires

Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.

Statutory Text
Analysis & Obligations
Section 817
Artificial Intelligence Registry
Government

(a) 1 The Department of State shall establish a registry of businesses operating artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) systems in this Commonwealth.

(b) 1 The Department of State shall coordinate with other State agencies that have contact with businesses operating artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) systems to establish a paper and an online registry form to enable State agencies to assist the Department of State in registering businesses in the registry.

(c) 1 The Department of State shall provide access to a paper and an online registry form which must contain a statement indicating the purpose for the registry. The forms shall be developed to obtain the following information relating to the business operating artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) systems: (1) The name of the business operating artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) systems. (2) The IP address of the business. (3) The type of code the business is utilizing for artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g). (4) The intent of the software being utilized. (5) The personal information and first and last name of a contact person at the business. (6) The address, electronic email address and ten-digit telephone number of the contact person under paragraph (5). (7) A signed statement, or, for online applicants, a box that is checked, indicating that the business operating an artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) system has agreed for the Department of State to store the business' information on the registry.

(d) Information collected under this section may not be sold or used for commercial purposes or used for purposes not specified under this section. Information collected under this section for the registry shall be exempt from disclosure under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.

(e) 1 The department shall maintain a searchable online database for businesses operating artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) systems.

(f) 2 By January 1, 2024, and each January 1 thereafter, the Department of State shall submit to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Commerce Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives a report on the registry which shall include: (1) The total number of businesses operating artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g) systems registered with the Department of State. (2) The number of registrants received by each State agency. (3) Expenses incurred by the Department of State.

(g) As used in this section, the term "artificial intelligenceartificial intelligenceAs used in this section, the term "artificial intelligence" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.Section 817(g)" shall mean the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.

Section 817 directs the Pennsylvania Department of State to build and maintain a registry of businesses operating AI systems in the Commonwealth. The obligations run entirely to the Department and other state agencies — not to businesses. The Department must create paper and online registration forms, coordinate with other agencies, maintain a searchable online database, and submit annual reports to the legislative Commerce Committees. Registry information is shielded from public records disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law and may not be sold or used for commercial purposes.

The bill does not require businesses to register, does not impose penalties for failure to register, and does not create any compliance obligations on private entities. It is purely a government-facing administrative mandate establishing AI inventory infrastructure.

Compliance actions 2 items
1
The Department of State must establish and maintain a searchable online registry of businesses operating AI systems in Pennsylvania, coordinate with other state agencies to populate the registry, and create paper and online registration forms collecting business name, IP address, AI code type, software intent, and contact information.
PS-01.1
2
The Department of State must submit annual reports to the Senate and House Commerce Committee leadership by January 1 of each year, disclosing the total number of registered AI businesses, the number of registrants received by each state agency, and expenses incurred by the Department.
R-03.1
Section 2
Effective date

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

Section 2 provides that the act would take effect 60 days after enactment. Because the bill was never enacted, no effective date was triggered.

Passage Likelihood

Failed
Status Failed
Final action Referred to COMMERCE

Legislative History

2023-03-07 Referred to COMMERCE

Entry Last Reviewed

2026-05-17
AI generated