The Insights Association, the leading nonprofit organization representing the U.S. market research, insights and analytics industry, joined with more than 40 organizations in calling for temporary federal preemption of artificial intelligence regulation at the state level.
The January 28, 2026 letter urged “a targeted federal approach” from Congress “that temporarily preempts certain state laws and regulations specific to artificial intelligence (AI). Federal preemption is a sensible and well-established legal tool that Congress has used across sectors to ensure a single, predictable standard for critical economic activity while a durable national framework is developed.”
The preemption would be a temporary measure to give Congress time to “craft a thoughtful, balanced national framework,” providing “regulatory clarity and consistency.”
Temporary federal preemption is important, according to the letter, “because the United States is facing growing regulatory fragmentation" as states "have introduced hundreds of AI-related bills in an effort to respond quickly to a rapidly evolving technology. In the absence of federal coordination, a small number of states risk effectively setting de facto national standards, despite the fact that AI systems operate across state borders and throughout interstate commerce. This dynamic undermines democratic accountability and places the United States at a disadvantage relative to global competitors."
In contravention of a lot of states’ actions, President Trump signed an executive order in December aiming to preempt state AI laws and regulations on multiple fronts that may impact the insights industry in the U.S. (and Senate legislation was introduced to try to contravene his order.) IA members can review much of the state activity in our 2025 AI legislative wrap-up.
A state AI regulatory patchwork “raises compliance costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices and fewer choices. Uniform federal standards help lower these costs by providing clarity and predictability, enabling companies to invest more in innovation, efficiency, and responsible deployment rather than duplicative legal compliance. This issue is especially acute for startups and small businesses. State-level AI regulations are often broad, vague, and inconsistent across jurisdictions. While large firms may be able to absorb these costs, smaller companies and new market entrants cannot. The result is higher barriers to entry, reduced competition, and fewer innovative challengers, precisely the opposite of what policymakers should want in a rapidly evolving and strategically important sector.”
The letter concluded that, “A time-limited preemption ensures that federal leadership is established without foreclosing future policymaking or locking in a permanent regulatory outcome before the technology and its uses are fully understood. This coalition welcomes and encourages congressional action that will ensure the U.S. remains on the vanguard of AI development.”
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.