Florida Republicans Block Governor DeSantis' AI Regulation Push for Second Time

Florida Republican legislators blocked Governor Ron DeSantis' AI regulation proposal for the second time, with House Speaker Daniel Perez refusing to consider the measure during a special session focused on congressional redistricting. While the Florida Senate passed DeSantis' AI legislation on a bipartisan vote, no Republican in the state House filed the requested bill, citing President Trump's executive order designating AI policy as a federal responsibility. DeSantis, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, has positioned himself as a Republican AI skeptic focused on dangers to children and opposition to massive data centers, creating a distinct political lane as rivals like Vice President JD Vance champion the AI industry. An NBC News poll found 57% of registered voters believe AI risks outweigh benefits, though voters trust neither party to handle the issue, while pro-AI super PACs spend millions supporting industry-friendly candidates like Rep. Byron Donalds.

Florida Legislature's Rejection of DeSantis' AI Regulation Proposal

• ▪Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced that the DeSantis-requested AI proposal would not be considered during the special session.
• ▪Ron DeSantis was unable to get Republican majorities in both chambers to pass an AI-focused regulatory scheme during Florida's regular legislative session earlier in 2025.
• ▪No Republican in the Florida state House filed the AI legislation that Ron DeSantis requested.
• ▪Daniel Perez stated that President Donald Trump issued an executive order stating the federal government should take the handle of AI policies in the United States.
• ▪The Florida special session in the week of the article's publication was predominantly focused on considering changes to Florida's congressional lines.
• ▪The Florida Senate passed AI legislation requested by Ron DeSantis on a bipartisan vote.
• ▪Republicans in Florida blocked Governor Ron DeSantis' push to pass AI regulation in the state for the second time.
• ▪Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has a long-running feud with Ron DeSantis.
• ▪Ron DeSantis asked Florida legislators to consider the AI proposal during a special session that kicked off in the week of the article's publication.

DeSantis' Political Positioning as AI Skeptic Ahead of 2028

• ▪Ron DeSantis' AI skepticism approach gives him a political lane on the issue nearly all to himself as jockeying for 2028 positions has already begun.
• ▪Taryn Fenske, a Ron DeSantis political adviser, stated that chatbots are convincing children to commit suicide.
• ▪Ron DeSantis is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
• ▪The pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future is spending $5 million to boost the Republican gubernatorial campaign of Rep. Byron Donalds.

Republican Party's Divide on AI Regulation Approach

• ▪Vice President JD Vance is expected to consider a run for president in 2028.
• ▪An NBC News poll conducted in March found that 57% of registered voters are concerned that risks associated with AI outweigh the benefits.
• ▪AI-aligned super PACs are flooding the airwaves with ads ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• ▪JD Vance has led much of the early 2028 presidential public polling.
• ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to consider a run for president in 2028.

Perspective of Florida House Republicans

• ▪Florida House Republicans view President Donald Trump's executive order on federal AI policy as justification for blocking state-level AI regulation.

Perspective of Ron DeSantis

• ▪Ron DeSantis' political positioning on AI skepticism differentiates him from other potential 2028 Republican presidential candidates.

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