Texas HB 3512 government AI training mandate (2025)
Texas HB 3512 — State and Local Government Employees Who Use Computers at Least 25% of Job Duties Must Complete Annual DIR-Certified AI Awareness Training Beginning FY2026 (Effective September 1, 2025)
Texas · Tex. H.B. 3512, 89th Leg., R.S. (2025); Texas Gov't Code (Ch. 2054 or adjacent section, eff. Sept. 1, 2025)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- September 1, 2025
- Applies to
- State agencies and political subdivisions (counties, cities, school districts, other local government entities) whose employees use a computer at least 25% of job duties
- Enforced by
- Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) — certifies training programs; agency heads and political subdivision leadership responsible for compliance
Texas HB 3512 requires state and local government employees who use a computer as at least 25 percent of their job duties to complete annual AI awareness training, beginning in FY2026 (which starts September 1, 2025 in Texas). The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) certifies at least five training programs. Each program must meet seven statutory standards: it must be designed for adults, cover practical use cases and examples of AI use in the workplace, define AI, be self-paced and online, take two hours or less, have no licensure requirement, and be offered at no cost. The 25 percent threshold is meaningful: it applies broadly across state agencies and political subdivisions, reaching not only IT workers but any employee whose job substantially involves a computer — administrators, case workers, clerks. The training mandate is a companion to Texas Government Code Chapter 2054 Subchapter S, already indexed as tx-ch-2054-ai-gov, which established the broader AI governance framework for state agencies requiring agency AI use inventories, responsible-use policies, and bias-risk assessments. HB 3512 adds the workforce-facing layer to that framework.
Who is protected: Public sector employees using AI in their work, who receive baseline literacy training; residents interacting with government AI systems whose operators are trained
Legal detail
Texas HB 3512, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025). Effective: September 1, 2025 (FY2026). Codified in Texas Government Code (exact section not confirmed; likely amends Ch. 2054 or adds adjacent section). OPERATIVE REQUIREMENTS: (1) STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES who use a computer as part of their job AT LEAST 25% OF JOB DUTIES must complete annual AI awareness training beginning FY2026. (2) Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) must CERTIFY AT LEAST FIVE AI AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAMS that meet the following seven statutory standards: (a) designed for use by adults in a work environment; (b) covers practical use cases and examples of AI use in the workplace; (c) provides definitions of artificial intelligence; (d) is self-paced and online; (e) can be completed in two hours or less; (f) does not require a license to access or use; (g) is offered at no cost. SCOPE: applies to political subdivisions (counties, cities, school districts) in addition to state agencies. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING FRAMEWORK: companion to Govt Code Ch. 2054 Subchapter S (TX Government AI Governance (Subchapter S / SB 1964)), which requires state agencies to maintain AI use inventories, develop responsible-use policies, and conduct bias-risk assessments. HB 3512 adds the workforce training layer. Also related to AI Systems Code of Ethics and Minimum Risk Management and Governance… (1 TAC Ch. 219, eff. March 1, 2026). TRAIGA (HB 149, eff. Jan 1, 2026, TRAIGA) is distinct — it governs private sector high-risk AI systems; HB 3512 governs only public sector employee training. ENFORCEMENT: not stated in located sources. No private right of action is mentioned.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Texas |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | September 1, 2025 |
| Citation | Tex. H.B. 3512, 89th Leg., R.S. (2025); Texas Gov't Code (Ch. 2054 or adjacent section, eff. Sept. 1, 2025) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Not stated in located sources |
| Topics | government use of AI · AI disclosure and transparency · automated decision-making |
| Bill text | HB 3512 Senate Committee Report Analysis — Texas Legislature Online (89th R.S.) |
More AI rules in Texas
- TX TDI Bulletin B-0003-26 (AI in insurance) · In effect
- Texas Gov. Abbott data center grid-connection audit freeze · In effect
- Texas TWDB data center water reporting penalties (2026) · In effect
- Texas Abbott halt on state funding for Flock cameras (2026) · In effect
- Texas AG data center water-reporting investigation (2026) · In effect
- Texas Abbott directive: TCEQ data center permit pause (2026) · In effect
Related government use of AI rules elsewhere
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- Inver Grove Heights MN data center moratorium amended under lawsuit (2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform tariffs on… · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- San Marcos citywide data center ban (Land Use Matrix amendment) · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.