H.R. 1694: AI Accountability Act

H.R. 1694, the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act, was introduced on February 27, 2025, by Mr. Harder of California and co-sponsored by Ms. Kelly of Illinois. It was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill is narrow but important: it does not create fines, bans, or compliance mandates for private companies right away, but it does require the federal government to build a clearer framework for AI accountability.

The core assignment goes to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. That official must study “accountability measures” for AI systems and report to Congress not later than 18 months after enactment. The bill defines an “accountability measure” as “a mechanism, including an audit, an assessment, or a certification, designed to provide assurance that a system is trustworthy.” That definition matters because it points the conversation toward concrete oversight tools like audits, assessments, and certifications rather than vague promises from companies.

The study has a broad scope. It must examine how accountability measures could be incorporated into communications networks, including telecommunications networks and social media platforms, as well as electromagnetic spectrum sharing applications. It also must look at whether those measures could help close the digital divide, promote digital inclusion in the United States, and reduce risks, including cybersecurity risks. On top of that, the bill requires analysis of how the term “trustworthy” is used in AI, and how “trustworthy” relates to the terms “responsible” and “human-centric.” That is a signal that lawmakers think the AI debate is full of loose language and want sharper definitions before writing tougher rules.

A second part of the bill focuses on transparency. It requires public meetings with industry, academia, and consumers to gather feedback on what information should be available to individuals, communities, and businesses that interact with, are affected by, or study AI systems, and on the best ways to make that information available. That second report is also due not later than 18 months after enactment and must be sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In plain terms, Congress is asking two basic questions before moving further: how should AI systems be checked, and what should the public be allowed to know about them?