Civilian Agency AI Watermark Act (H.R. 9042)

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If passed, this bill would establish a mandatory verification standard for all AI software used by civilian federal agencies, potentially changing how government departments procure and deploy AI tools to ensure security and authenticity.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Department of Homeland Security

The agency is tasked with developing and implementing the new AI watermark and trademark system.

Civilian federal agencies

These agencies will be required to use AI applications that meet the new watermark and trademark standards.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

Ms. Jackson Lee is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. context
The Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet-level department responsible for public security, including cybersecurity infrastructure. context

Summary

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a system for watermarking and trademarking artificial intelligence tools used by civilian federal agencies. The goal is to create a standardized way to identify and verify AI applications that have been officially approved for government use.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If passed, this bill would establish a mandatory verification standard for all AI software used by civilian federal agencies, potentially changing how government departments procure and deploy AI tools to ensure security and authenticity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an AI watermark?

The watermark is intended to identify and verify artificial intelligence applications that have been officially approved for use by civilian federal agencies.

How much will this program cost?

The bill does not set a specific dollar amount, instead authorizing 'such sums as may be necessary' to be appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security each fiscal year.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Connected Entities

organizationCongress“Legislative body”Map →

personDirector“Director of NIST and USPTO”Map →

organizationUnited States Patent and Trademark Office“Consulted on watermark development”Map →

bill_numberH.R. 9042“Bill number”Map →

organizationHouse of Representatives“Where the bill was introduced”Map →

organizationHomeland Security“Department responsible for implementing the watermark system”Map →

personSecretary of Homeland Security“Responsible for initiating the watermark system”Map →

other118th Congress“Legislative session”Map →

organizationUnited States Government Publishing Office“Source of the bill”Map →

organizationSenate“Where the bill was referred”Map →

personMs. Jackson Lee“Introduced the bill”Map →

organizationNational Institute of Standards and Technology“Consulted on watermark development”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level