COLUMBUS, Ohio - Two Ohio lawmakers from different political parties have introduced legislation to stop the federal government from taking over how states regulate artificial intelligence (AI).

State Representative Christine Cockley, a Democrat from Columbus, and State Senator Louis W. Blessing III, a Republican from Colerain Township, filed matching resolutions this week. They are responding to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Dec. 11, 2025. The president’s order aims to create one national standard for AI to help the U.S. stay ahead of other countries, arguing that a "patchwork" of state laws makes it harder for new businesses to grow.

The order also establishes an "AI Litigation Task Force" to challenge state laws in court and suggests that states with "onerous" AI rules could lose federal funding, such as money for broadband expansion. Ohio lawmakers argue that the federal move is an unconstitutional overreach. Sen. Blessing stated that it is not up to the White House to determine which state laws are good or bad, while Rep. Cockley emphasized that states are better at understanding local needs.

AI regulation is a concern in the Mahoning Valley, where two projects are underway. The village of Lordstown is the site of the "Stargate Project," a partnership between SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle to build an advanced AI data center and manufacturing hub at the former General Motors plant. This project features a smaller, "proof of concept" data center designed to use less power and a closed-loop cooling system to avoid consuming village water.

A separate proposal for a $3.6 billion data center by Bristolville 25 Developer LLC and BHGH Properties LLC led to a major legal battle with the village. This project, which would span 133 acres, caused enough concern over noise and utility costs that the Lordstown Village Council passed a total ban on all new data centers in November.

While the council recently voted to repeal that ban on legal advice, they are still considering a 180-day pause to new permits to study the industry's impact.