DIR Adopts a Statewide AI Code of Ethics

The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) adopted the AI code of ethics and related minimum standards in 1 TAC chapter 219, published in the March 13, 2026 Texas Register and effective March 18, 2026. The code addresses human oversight, fairness, accuracy, redress, transparency, privacy and security. SB 1964 required the rules to align with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF). That statutory role does not make every NIST recommendation independently binding on every private Texas business.

The adoption notice distinguishes state agencies, higher education and limited local-government coverage. The rules include assessments and heightened-scrutiny safeguards under their own scope. The government provision is Government Code § 2054.702 as added by SB 1964, Section 5; HB 2818 added a different provision with the same number. A citation must identify the enactment to avoid pointing readers to the DIR division’s unrelated authority.

For vendors to Texas governments, the rules and SB 1964’s contract provisions mean that impact assessments, documentation and cure obligations will appear in procurement.

Sources

• DIR Adopted AI Rules
  Agency Rule · Texas · 1 TAC § 219.11 and §§ 219.20 to 219.24 · In effect · Binding · March 18, 2026
• SB1964, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025
  Legislative Record · Texas · Enacted · Enacted
• Government AI and Information Resources
  Statute · Texas · 2054.702 as added by SB 1964, Section 5 · In effect · Binding

Related Reading

• Government AI and Public Records