Civilian Agency AI Watermark Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (15 Jul 2024): Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
What this bill does
The Civilian Agency AI Watermark Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, within eight months of enactment, to consult with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office on developing a watermark and trademark system. This system would be intended to identify artificial intelligence applications that have been approved by federal agencies for use by civilian agencies. The bill also authorizes appropriations of whatever funds are necessary, each fiscal year, for the Secretary to carry out this consultation and system-development effort.
The bill primarily affects federal civilian agencies and the officials responsible for AI oversight—specifically the Department of Homeland Security, NIST, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office—by tasking them with collaborative planning around AI identification standards. It does not create binding requirements on private companies or the public, and it does not specify technical details of how the watermark system would function, only that consultation on its development must occur.
H.R. 9042 was introduced on July 15, 2024, by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security. According to the official record, the bill did not receive a vote before the end of the 118th Congress, meaning it did not advance further and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered again.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
15 Jul 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9042 do?
- The Civilian Agency AI Watermark Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, within eight months of enactment, to consult with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office on developing a watermark and trademark system. This system would be intended to identify artificial intelligence applications that have been approved by federal agencies for use by civilian agencies. The bill also authorizes appropriations of whatever funds are necessary, each fiscal year, for the Secretary to carry out this consultation and system-development effort. The bill primarily affects federal civilian agencies and the officials responsible for AI oversight—specifically the Department of Homeland Security, NIST, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office—by tasking them with collaborative planning around AI identification standards. It does not create binding requirements on private companies or the public, and it does not specify technical details of how the watermark system would function, only that consultation on its development must occur. H.R. 9042 was introduced on July 15, 2024, by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security. According to the official record, the bill did not receive a vote before the end of the 118th Congress, meaning it did not advance further and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered again.
- Has H.R. 9042 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9042. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9042?
- H.R. 9042 was sponsored by Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (D-TX), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9042?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability. (15 Jul 2024).
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