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AI personhood laws: which US states say AI is not a person

By Peppi Labs Updated 4 min read

The short answer

As of September 24, 2026, four US states have laws saying artificial intelligence is not a legal person: Idaho (2022), North Dakota (2023), Utah (2024) and Tennessee (2026). Bills are pending in Ohio, California and Alaska. Similar bills in Oklahoma, Missouri, Washington, South Carolina and Wisconsin have died.

Key facts

States with a law 4: Idaho, North Dakota, Utah and Tennessee
Bills tracked 20 bills in 12 states since 2022
First law Idaho, signed March 31, 2022
Newest law Tennessee, signed April 23, 2026
Pending Ohio House Bill 469, California Senate Bill 1159 and Alaska House Bill 251
Next deadline California's Governor must act on SB 1159 by September 30, 2026; without a signature or veto, it becomes law
Last checked September 24, 2026

In 1989, Star Trek: The Next Generation put an android on trial to decide whether he was a person. Real legislatures are now answering the same question, and so far their answer is no. Since 2022, US states have been passing AI personhood laws that say artificial intelligence cannot be a legal person, and more bills keep arriving. This tracker lists every one we have found, with its status and its official source.

State by state

4states with a law

3bills pending

13bills that did not pass

20 bills in 12 states since 2022. Companion bills filed in both chambers count once.

US states with laws or bills on AI personhood Enacted: Idaho, North Dakota, Utah, Tennessee. Pending: Ohio, Alaska, California. Did not pass: Missouri, Washington, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, South Carolina. Alaska: Pending AK Wisconsin: Did not pass WI Washington: Did not pass WA Idaho: Enacted ID North Dakota: Enacted ND Ohio: Pending OH California: Pending CA Utah: Enacted UT Missouri: Did not pass MO Tennessee: Enacted TN South Carolina: Did not pass SC Oklahoma: Did not pass OK
Enacted Pending Did not pass No bill found

Statuses last checked against official legislature sites. Download the data: CSV or JSON.

Enacted (4 states)

Idaho

Enacted

House Bill 720 (2022) · Idaho Code 5-346 · Sponsor: House State Affairs Committee

Says artificial intelligence, along with environmental elements, nonhuman animals and inanimate objects, shall not be granted personhood in Idaho.

The text: Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, environmental elements, artificial intelligence, nonhuman animals, and inanimate objects shall not be granted personhood in the state of Idaho.↗

Status: Signed March 31, 2022; in force July 1, 2022.

Sources: Idaho Code 5-346 ; Idaho H 720

North Dakota

Enacted

House Bill 1361 (2023) · North Dakota Century Code 1-01-49 · Sponsor: Rep. Christensen

Adds to the state's code-wide definition of "person" that the term does not include artificial intelligence, environmental elements, an animal or an inanimate object.

The text: The term does not include environmental elements, artificial intelligence, an animal, or an inanimate object.↗

Status: Signed April 11, 2023.

Sources: North Dakota HB 1361 ; North Dakota HB 1361 actions ; North Dakota HB 1361 overview

Utah

Enacted

HB 249, Utah Legal Personhood Amendments (2024) · Utah Code 63G-32-102 · Sponsor: Rep. Walt Brooks; Senate floor sponsor Sen. Don L. Ipson

Bars any governmental entity from granting or recognizing legal personhood in artificial intelligence and ten other categories, from bodies of water to weather.

The text: a governmental entity may not grant legal personhood to, nor recognize legal personhood in: (1) artificial intelligence;↗

Status: Signed March 20, 2024; in force May 1, 2024. The Regulatory Review reported in June 2026 that the Nonhuman Rights Project had challenged the law in court on separation-of-powers grounds.

Sources: Utah Code 63G-32-102 ; Utah HB 249 ; The Regulatory Review, 2026

Tennessee

Enacted

Senate Bill 837 / House Bill 849 (Public Chapter 781) (2025-2026) · Tennessee Code 1-3-105(a)(20), the definition of "person" · Sponsor: Sen. Pody; Rep. Reneau

Says the definition of "person" used across the state code does not include artificial intelligence, a computer algorithm, a software program, computer hardware or any type of machine.

The text: Does not include artificial intelligence, a computer algorithm, a software program, computer hardware, or any type of machine;↗

Status: Signed April 23, 2026, and in force the same day. It passed the Senate 26-6 and the House 93-2.

Sources: Tennessee Public Chapter 781 ; Tennessee SB 837

Other bills in Tennessee

  • House Bill 2817 / Senate Bill 2535 (2024, Rep. Richey; Sen. Pody): An earlier try that would have defined "life" in state law and excluded artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware and any type of machine from it. Did not pass Sent to subcommittees in February and March 2024 and never passed. Source: Tennessee HB 2817 (2024)

Pending (3 states)

Ohio

Pending

House Bill 469 (2025-2026) · Sponsor: Rep. Thaddeus J. Claggett

Would declare AI systems nonsentient for all purposes under Ohio law and bar any form of legal personhood for them.

The text: AI systems are declared to be nonsentient entities for all purposes under the laws of this state.↗

Status: Introduced September 23, 2025, and sent to the House Technology and Innovation Committee, which held three hearings in October and November 2025. No votes had been recorded as of September 24, 2026.

Sources: Ohio HB 469 ; Ohio Senate, HB 469

Alaska

Pending

House Bill 251 (2025-2026) · Sponsor: Rep. McCabe

Would say "person" in Alaska law does not include an environmental element, artificial intelligence, an animal or an inanimate object.

Status: Sent to the House Health and Social Services Committee on January 20, 2026, with no further action as of September 24, 2026.

Source: Alaska HB 251

Other bills in Alaska

  • House Bill 352 (2023-2024, Rep. Eastman): An earlier bill that would have said "person" does not include environmental elements, artificial intelligence, nonhuman animals or inanimate objects. Did not pass Sent to the House Judiciary Committee on February 20, 2024, and never taken up before the 2023-2024 Legislature ended. Source: Alaska HB 352

California

Pending

Senate Bill 1159 (2025-2026) · Sponsor: Sen. Cabaldon

A narrower bill. Under laws such as the Public Records Act, the open-meeting acts and the California Environmental Quality Act, the words for those who may take part in government proceedings, such as "person" and "member of the public," would not include artificial intelligence systems, autonomous agents or robots.

Status: Passed the Senate 38-0 and the Assembly 74-0, and was presented to the Governor on August 28, 2026. The Governor has until September 30, 2026, to sign or veto it; if the Governor does neither, it becomes law without a signature.

Sources: California SB 1159 ; California SB 1159 status ; California 2026 legislative calendar ; Cal. Const. art. IV, sec. 10

Did not pass (5 states)

Washington

Did not pass

House Bill 2029 (2025-2026) · Sponsor: Rep. Abell and six co-sponsors

Would have barred any governmental entity from granting or recognizing legal personhood in artificial intelligence and other nonhuman things, such as atmospheric gases, astronomical objects and weather.

Status: Sent to the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee in February 2025, where it stayed; it died when the 2026 session adjourned on March 12, 2026.

Sources: Washington HB 2029 ; Washington HB 2029 history ; Washington Legislature, session ; The Regulatory Review, 2026

Wisconsin

Did not pass

Assembly Bill 959 / Senate Bill 932 (2025-2026) · Sponsor: Rep. Brill and others; Sens. Jacque, Quinn and Spreitzer

Would have said artificial intelligence is not a person and cannot own property, be a spouse, or be a corporate officer or director, and that it may not be considered to possess consciousness or sentience.

Status: Both versions failed to pass on March 23, 2026, under Senate Joint Resolution 1.

Sources: Wisconsin AB 959 ; Wisconsin SB 932

Oklahoma

Did not pass

House Bill 3546 (2026) · Sponsor: Rep. Maynard; Sen. Bullard

Would have said artificial intelligence systems, environmental elements, nonhuman animals and inanimate objects shall not be recognized as or granted personhood.

The text: artificial intelligence systems, environmental elements, nonhuman animals, and inanimate objects shall not be recognized as or granted the status of personhood↗

Status: Passed the House 94-2 on March 23, 2026, and cleared a Senate committee on April 16, but never got a Senate floor vote before the Legislature adjourned sine die in May 2026.

Sources: Oklahoma HB 3546 ; Oklahoma HB 3546 history ; Oklahoma Senate, May 2026

South Carolina

Did not pass

H. 3796 (2025-2026) · Sponsor: Reps. Kilmartin and Beach

Would have barred any governmental entity from granting or recognizing legal personhood in artificial intelligence and other nonhuman categories, using the same list as Utah's law.

Status: Sent to the House Judiciary Committee on January 28, 2025, and never taken up before the 2026 regular session ended in May.

Sources: South Carolina H. 3796 ; S.C. Code, Title 2, Ch. 1 ; The Regulatory Review, 2026

Missouri

Did not pass

Senate Bill 1012 (2026) · Sponsor: Sen. Joe Nicola

Would have enacted the "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act," declaring AI systems non-sentient entities for all purposes under state law. Missouri lawmakers filed eight bills on AI personhood in 2025 and 2026; this one went furthest.

The text: For all purposes under state law, AI systems are declared to be non-sentient entities.↗

Status: Passed the Senate 20-10 on May 6, 2026, but a House committee voted "do not pass" on May 12, and it was tabled when the session's deadline for passing bills arrived on May 15, 2026.

Sources: Missouri SB 1012 ; Missouri SB 1012 actions ; Missouri Senate Journal, May 6, 2026 ; Missouri Constitution, Art. III, 20(a)

Other bills in Missouri

  • House Bill 1462 (2025, Rep. Phil Amato): The first version of the "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act." Did not pass Sent to the House Emerging Issues Committee on May 15, 2025, and never taken up. Source: Missouri HB 1462
  • House Bill 721 (2025, Rep. Mazzie Christensen): The 2025 version of the Utah-style bill barring governmental entities from granting legal personhood to artificial intelligence and other nonhuman things. Did not pass Sent to the House Emerging Issues Committee on May 15, 2025, and never taken up. Source: Missouri HB 721
  • Senate Bill 1474 (2026, Sen. Joe Nicola): A second Senate version of the same act. Did not pass Sent to the Senate General Laws Committee on February 5, 2026, and never heard. Source: Missouri SB 1474
  • Senate Bill 859 (2026, Sen. Mike Moon): Another Senate version of the act declaring AI systems non-sentient. Did not pass Heard in the Senate General Laws Committee on March 4, 2026, but never voted out. Source: Missouri SB 859
  • House Bills 1746 and 1769 (combined) (2026, Rep. Scott Miller; Rep. Phil Amato): The House version of the same act, declaring AI systems nonsentient. Did not pass Combined into one committee substitute and reported "do pass" by House committees, most recently on March 30, 2026, but never brought to a House floor vote. Sources: Missouri HB 1746 ; Missouri HB 1769
  • House Bill 2286 (2026, Rep. Mazzie Christensen): Would have barred governmental entities from granting or recognizing legal personhood in artificial intelligence and other nonhuman categories, following Utah's law. Did not pass Sent to the House Emerging Issues Committee on May 15, 2026, the last day to pass bills. Source: Missouri HB 2286

What do these laws actually say?

They follow five patterns.

  • Bans on personhood. Idaho’s 2022 law lists artificial intelligence alongside environmental elements, nonhuman animals and inanimate objects as things that cannot be granted personhood in the state (Idaho Code 5-346). Oklahoma’s House passed a bill with the same list in 2026 (Oklahoma HB 3546).
  • Bans on government recognition. Utah’s 2024 law bars any governmental entity from granting or recognizing legal personhood in artificial intelligence and ten other categories, from bodies of water to weather (Utah Code 63G-32-102). According to The Regulatory Review, bills in Washington, South Carolina and Missouri reused the same list of 11 categories and the same definitions (The Regulatory Review, 2026).
  • Rewriting the definition of “person.” North Dakota (2023) and Tennessee (2026) changed the definition of “person” that applies across their state codes so that it no longer covers AI (North Dakota HB 1361) (Tennessee Public Chapter 781). Tennessee’s version also leaves out computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware and any type of machine. Alaska’s pending House Bill 251 takes the same approach (Alaska HB 251).
  • Declarations of non-sentience. Ohio’s House Bill 469, Missouri’s “AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act” and Wisconsin’s Assembly Bill 959 go further. They would declare AI systems non-sentient, or bar treating them as conscious, and list what AI may not do: be a spouse, own property or hold corporate office (Ohio HB 469) (Missouri SB 1012) (Wisconsin AB 959).
  • Defining life itself. Tennessee’s 2024 House Bill 2817 would have defined “life” in state law and left artificial intelligence, algorithms, software and machines out of it. It died in committee (Tennessee HB 2817 (2024)). It is the only bill on this list that tried to define life rather than personhood.

Why are states passing them?

The sponsors give different reasons, as The Regulatory Review has reported (The Regulatory Review, 2026).

  • Liability. Oklahoma’s sponsor framed his bill as a way to keep companies from shifting the blame for accidents onto their AI.
  • A backlash against “rights of nature.” Washington’s bill came three months after voters in Everett gave the Snohomish River legal rights. Its sponsor presented it as a response to an anti-development agenda, and AI was swept into the same ban as atmospheric gases, astronomical objects and weather.
  • Religious conviction. Asked how he could be sure AI would never develop an inner life, Ohio’s sponsor pointed to the belief that humans bear God’s image.

Critics argue that these laws settle by statute a question that science has not settled. Writing in The Regulatory Review, Tony Rost pointed out that none of the bills includes a sunset clause or a mechanism for scientific review, so none can correct itself if the evidence changes (The Regulatory Review, 2026). Heather Alexander and Lucius Caviola made a similar case in AI Frontiers, calling the bills premature (Alexander & Caviola, AI Frontiers, 2026). For where the evidence stands today, see Is AI conscious?.

Not in any lasting legal framework we know of. The European Parliament once raised the idea. In 2017 it asked the European Commission to explore, among other legal options, a status in which

“the most sophisticated autonomous robots could be established as having the status of electronic persons responsible for making good any damage they may cause”

European Parliament, paragraph 59(f), one of the options the Commission was asked to explore. Source: European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2017 with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics (2015/2103(INL)), European Parliament (Official Journal of the European Union), February 16, 2017.

In a 2020 resolution on liability for AI, the Parliament said it is not necessary to give legal personality to AI-systems↗ (European Parliament, 2020).

The most famous case is symbolic. In October 2017 Saudi Arabia granted citizenship to Sophia, a humanoid robot. Commentators asked what that could mean in practice, and some called it a publicity stunt (Wikipedia: Sophia (robot)).

Star Trek asked this first

In “The Measure of a Man,” first aired in 1989, a hearing must decide whether the android Data is a person with rights or Starfleet property (Wikipedia, "The Measure of a Man"). The judge, Captain Phillipa Louvois, admits she cannot settle the deepest question:

“Does Data have a soul? I don't know that he has. I don't know that I have.”

Captain Phillipa Louvois, ruling in "The Measure of a Man" (1989). Source: Star Trek: The Next Generation (quotes), Wikiquote, accessed September 23, 2026.

She rules that Data has the freedom to choose. The laws in this tracker settle the practical question the other way, by statute. For the rest of the franchise’s non-human minds, see every silicon-based life form in Star Trek.

What to watch next

  • California. Senate Bill 1159 passed both chambers without a single no vote. The Governor has until September 30, 2026, to sign or veto it, and if the Governor does neither, it becomes law without a signature (California SB 1159 status) (Cal. Const. art. IV, sec. 10).
  • Kentucky. A state representative has filed a bill request for the 2027 session that would bar AI from legal personhood (WKYT via WBKO, 2026).
  • Ohio and Alaska. Their bills are still in committee.

How this tracker works

  • What counts. A state bill or law that denies AI legal personhood, declares AI non-sentient, or removes AI from the legal definition of “person” or “life.” General AI regulation is not included, and neither are bills that only stop chatbots from claiming to be sentient.
  • How we count. Companion bills with the same text in both chambers count as one, and the totals above the map follow that rule. An analysis in AI Frontiers also counts 12 states (Alexander & Caviola, AI Frontiers, 2026).
  • Sources. Every status is checked against the legislature’s own website, and every entry links to the bill or the statute. Quoted text comes from the bill or statute itself and is verified word for word.
  • Updates. The statuses were last checked on September 24, 2026. The updated date at the top of this page changes whenever they are checked again.
  • Data. Download the tracker as CSV or JSON.
  • Missing a bill? Tell Peppi Labs the state and the bill number.

Frequently asked questions

Which US states have laws saying AI is not a person?

As of September 24, 2026: Idaho (2022), North Dakota (2023), Utah (2024) and Tennessee (2026). Idaho bars granting personhood to AI, Utah bars any governmental entity from granting or recognizing it, and North Dakota and Tennessee write AI out of the legal definition of a person.

What does Ohio's House Bill 469 do?

It would declare AI systems nonsentient for all purposes under Ohio law and bar any form of legal personhood for them. It was introduced in September 2025 and had three committee hearings that fall. As of September 24, 2026, no votes had been recorded.

Why are states passing AI personhood laws?

Sponsors give different reasons: stopping companies from blaming their software for harms, pushing back against measures that give legal rights to rivers and other nonhuman things, and religious views about what makes a person. Critics argue the laws settle by statute a question science has not settled.

Has any country given AI legal personhood?

Not in any lasting legal framework we know of. In 2017 the European Parliament asked the European Commission to consider an "electronic persons" status for the most sophisticated robots, but in 2020 it said legal personality for AI systems is not necessary. Saudi Arabia gave the robot Sophia citizenship in 2017, which some called a publicity stunt.

Does any US state give AI legal personhood?

Not that we have found. The laws and bills on this subject so far all deny AI personhood: four states have laws saying AI is not a legal person, and more bills are pending.

How is this tracker kept up to date?

Each status is checked against the legislature's own website, and the page's updated date changes whenever the statuses are re-checked. The data can be downloaded as CSV or JSON.

Sources

  1. HB 251 (2025-2026), Definitions of Person/Life . Alaska State Legislature , 2026.
  2. HB 352 (2023-2024), Definition of Person . Alaska State Legislature , 2024.
  3. Heather Alexander and Lucius Caviola. It's Too Early to Ban AI Personhood . AI Frontiers , September 1, 2026.
  4. California Constitution, Article IV, Section 10 . California Legislative Information , accessed September 24, 2026.
  5. 2026 legislative calendar (updated March 2026) . California State Senate , 2026.
  6. SB 1159 (2025-2026) . California Legislature , 2026.
  7. SB 1159 (2025-2026), bill status . California Legislature , accessed September 24, 2026.
  8. European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2017 with recommendations to the Commission on Civil Law Rules on Robotics (2015/2103(INL)) . European Parliament (Official Journal of the European Union) , February 16, 2017.
  9. European Parliament resolution of 20 October 2020 with recommendations to the Commission on a civil liability regime for artificial intelligence (2020/2014(INL)) . European Parliament (Official Journal of the European Union) , October 20, 2020.
  10. Idaho Code 5-346 . Idaho Legislature , accessed September 24, 2026.
  11. House Bill 720 (2022) . Idaho Legislature , 2022.
  12. Missouri Constitution, Article III, Section 20(a) . Missouri Revisor of Statutes , accessed September 24, 2026.
  13. HB 1462 (2025), AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act . Missouri House of Representatives , 2025.
  14. HB 1746 (2026), AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act . Missouri House of Representatives , 2026.
  15. HB 1769 (2026) . Missouri House of Representatives , 2026.
  16. HB 2286 (2026) . Missouri House of Representatives , 2026.
  17. HB 721 (2025) . Missouri House of Representatives , 2025.
  18. SB 1012 (2026), perfected . Missouri Senate , 2026.
  19. SB 1012 (2026), all actions . Missouri Senate , 2026.
  20. SB 1474 (2026) . Missouri Senate , 2026.
  21. SB 859 (2026) . Missouri Senate , 2026.
  22. Journal of the Senate, May 6, 2026 . Missouri Senate , May 6, 2026.
  23. House Bill 1361 (2023), enrolled text . North Dakota Legislative Assembly , 2023.
  24. HB 1361 (2023), bill actions . North Dakota Legislative Assembly , 2023.
  25. HB 1361 (2023), bill overview . North Dakota Legislative Assembly , 2023.
  26. Rep. Thaddeus J. Claggett. House Bill 469 (as introduced) . Ohio General Assembly (136th) , 2025.
  27. House Bill 469 status . The Ohio Senate , accessed September 23, 2026.
  28. HB 3546 (2026), engrossed . Oklahoma Legislature , 2026.
  29. HB 3546 (2026), bill information and history . Oklahoma Legislature , 2026.
  30. Oklahoma Senate adjourns Second Session of 60th Legislature sine die . Oklahoma State Senate , May 15, 2026.
  31. South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 2, Chapter 1 (the General Assembly) . South Carolina Legislature , accessed September 24, 2026.
  32. H. 3796 (2025-2026) . South Carolina Legislature , 2025.
  33. HB 2817 / SB 2535 (113th General Assembly), bill history . Tennessee General Assembly , 2024.
  34. Public Chapter 781 (SB 837 / HB 849) . Tennessee Secretary of State , April 23, 2026.
  35. SB 837 bill history (114th General Assembly) . Tennessee General Assembly , 2026.
  36. Legislating AI Consciousness Without an Exit . The Regulatory Review , June 29, 2026.
  37. Utah Code 63G-32-102 . Utah Legislature , accessed September 24, 2026.
  38. HB 249, Utah Legal Personhood Amendments (2024) . Utah Legislature , 2024.
  39. HB 2029 (2025-26) . Washington State Legislature , 2025.
  40. HB 2029 (2025-26), bill summary and history . Washington State Legislature , accessed September 24, 2026.
  41. Session information . Washington State Legislature , accessed September 24, 2026.
  42. The Measure of a Man . Wikipedia , accessed September 23, 2026.
  43. Sophia (robot) . Wikipedia , accessed September 24, 2026.
  44. Star Trek: The Next Generation (quotes) . Wikiquote , accessed September 23, 2026.
  45. AB 959 (2025) . Wisconsin State Legislature , 2025.
  46. SB 932 (2025-2026) . Wisconsin State Legislature , 2026.
  47. WKYT News Staff. Kentucky lawmaker to file bill to clarify AI cannot be considered a person or shield criminals . WBKO / WKYT (Gray Media) , September 15, 2026.

Cite this page

APA: Peppi Labs. (2026, September 24). AI personhood laws: which US states say AI is not a person. Silicon-Based Intelligence. https://siliconbasedintelligence.com/ai-personhood-laws/

MLA: “AI personhood laws: which US states say AI is not a person.” Silicon-Based Intelligence, Peppi Labs, 24 Sept. 2026, https://siliconbasedintelligence.com/ai-personhood-laws/.

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