AI Kill Switch Act

Sponsor: Ted Lieu (Democratic-CA)July 23, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Requires certain companies to have ways to shut down powerful artificial intelligence systems.

This bill would require certain companies that develop or operate powerful artificial intelligence (AI) systems to have technical ways to stop or shut them down. It would also give the Department of Homeland Security emergency power to order these shutdowns if a dangerous incident occurs. This aims to protect the public from potential harm caused by advanced AI.

What Would Change

This bill would create new federal rules. It would require certain companies to have technical ways to stop or shut down powerful AI systems. To be covered, a company would need to operate an AI system developed with over $100 million in computing power, make it available to third parties, and generate at least $500 million in yearly revenue from it. The bill would also give the Department of Homeland Security emergency power to order such shutdowns and impose significant daily fines for not following the rules.

Key Provisions

Requires the Department of Homeland Security to define which companies and powerful AI technologies are covered by these rules each year.
Requires certain companies to have technical ways to stop, suspend, or completely shut down their powerful AI systems.
Requires companies to report serious AI incidents to the Department of Homeland Security within 15 days of becoming aware of them.
Gives the Secretary of Homeland Security emergency power to order a company to shut down its AI if a dangerous incident occurs.
Sets daily fines of up to $2 million for general violations and up to $20 million for not following an emergency shutdown order.
Requires the Department of Homeland Security to consider the burden on small businesses when defining which entities and technologies are covered by the rules. It would also exempt entities using AI only for personal, academic, or non-commercial purposes.

View on Congress.gov

HR 9917 · 119th Congress · July 23, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10

AI Kill Switch Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity