Montana
Montana went the opposite direction from every other state on this tracker. Its Right to Compute Act, enacted in 2025, protects the individual right to own and use computational resources, including for AI, and permits state restriction only in limited circumstances tied to health and safety with heightened justification. It is the model statute for the deregulatory side of the US fight.
Key points
- First-in-the-nation statutory protection for owning and using computational resources, including AI.
- State restrictions must be narrowly tied to legitimate health and safety purposes.
- The act is the template legislation for the compute-rights movement in other statehouses.
Laws and instruments
Right to Compute Act
Protects the right to own and use computational resources, constraining state restrictions to demonstrably justified health and safety measures.
Timeline
- February 2025SB 212 advances through the Montana Senate.
- 2025Right to Compute Act enacted.
Who it applies to
Constrains Montana state government's ability to restrict computation and AI use; it imposes no duties on companies.
Penalties
Not a penalty statute; it is a shield that invalidates overreaching restrictions.
Common questions
Does United States: Montana have a comprehensive AI law?
What are the penalties for AI violations in United States: Montana?
Who does AI regulation in United States: Montana apply to?
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in Montana," reviewed July 16, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/montana.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.