AI Governance Bodies

ABA, Texas Council & Supreme Court Advisory

Understanding the three key organizations shaping AI regulation for Texas lawyers: the ABA Task Force on Law and AI, Texas AI Advisory Council, and Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee.

🏛️ Three Levels of AI Governance

NATIONAL LEVEL

ABA Task Force on Law and AI

Sets national standards and provides comprehensive guidance for the entire legal profession on AI ethics, implementation, and risk management.

STATE LEVEL

Texas AI Advisory Council

Studies and regulates AI use in Texas state government while providing recommendations for broader AI governance in the state.

JUDICIAL LEVEL

Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee

Reviews and develops court rules specifically addressing AI use in legal practice and judicial proceedings in Texas.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION

ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence

The American Bar Association's comprehensive initiative to address AI's impact on the legal profession, led by ABA President Mary Smith and focused on developing national standards for responsible AI use in legal practice.

🎯Mission & Scope

  • Address AI's impact on legal profession and practice
  • Provide insights on trustworthy AI development
  • Identify and address AI risks across legal practice
  • Develop national standards and best practices
  • Coordinate with state and local bar associations

👥Six Working Groups

  • AI and the Legal Profession
  • AI Risk Management
  • AI and Access to Justice
  • AI Governance
  • AI Challenges: Generative AI
  • AI and Legal Education

📋Key Accomplishments

  • ABA Formal Opinion 512 (July 2024)
  • Resolution 112: AI emerging issues (2019)
  • Resolution 700: Pretrial risk assessment tools (2022)
  • Resolution 604: AI system guidelines (2023)
  • Comprehensive AI policy framework

🌐National Impact

  • First comprehensive AI ethics guidance
  • Model for state bar associations
  • Congressional AI policy input
  • Judicial training and education
  • International AI governance collaboration

👤 Key Leadership

Mary Smith
ABA President & Task Force Creator
First Native American ABA President, Cherokee Nation member, champion of AI ethics and democracy protection.
Task Force Working Group Chairs
Subject Matter Experts
Leading practitioners, academics, and technology experts from across the legal profession.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Texas AI Advisory Council

Created by HB 2060 to study AI use in Texas state government, assess ethical implications, and provide recommendations for responsible AI deployment across state agencies.

🏛️Legislative Creation

  • Established by House Bill 2060 (2023)
  • Authored by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione & Sen. Tan Parker
  • Housed within Department of Information Resources
  • Seven-member council structure
  • Bipartisan legislative leadership

🎯Core Responsibilities

  • Study AI systems in state government
  • Assess constitutional rights implications
  • Recommend ethical guidelines
  • Monitor agency AI deployment
  • Report findings to Legislature

👥Council Composition

  • House member (Co-chair: Rep. Capriglione)
  • Senate member (Co-chair: Sen. Parker)
  • Executive Director
  • Four Governor appointees (AI, ethics, law enforcement, constitutional law experts)
  • 300+ member user group from 85+ entities

📊Key Findings

  • 35+ state agencies using AI systems
  • Need for comprehensive AI ethics code
  • Risk assessment and bias concerns
  • Privacy and data security issues
  • Recommendations for AI sandbox program

👤 Council Leadership

Giovanni Capriglione
Co-Chair, State Representative
R-Southlake, author of Texas Data Privacy Act and TRAIGA, leading advocate for responsible AI governance.
Tan Parker
Co-Chair, State Senator
R-Flower Mound, partner in comprehensive AI legislation and state government efficiency initiatives.
Amanda Crawford
Council Member & DIR Executive Director
Texas Chief Information Officer overseeing state technology initiatives and AI implementation.

JUDICIAL BRANCH

Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee (SCAC)

The Texas Supreme Court's advisory body responsible for reviewing and developing court rules, including new rules addressing AI use in legal practice and judicial proceedings.

⚖️Judicial Authority

  • Advises Texas Supreme Court on rule changes
  • Reviews procedural and substantive rule proposals
  • Coordinates with judicial stakeholders
  • Ensures consistency across Texas courts
  • Implements constitutional and statutory requirements

🤖AI-Related Work

  • AI disclosure requirements in legal filings
  • Third-party litigation funding with AI components
  • Judicial AI use guidelines
  • Court technology integration rules
  • Professional responsibility rule updates

📋Recent AI Initiatives

  • AI disclosure rule development (2024)
  • Review of TPLF-AI intersection
  • Judicial AI ethics guidelines
  • Court administration AI policies
  • Attorney competence rule updates

🎯Implementation Process

  • Chief Justice referral to SCAC
  • Subcommittee review and analysis
  • Stakeholder input and public comment
  • Committee recommendation to Supreme Court
  • Rule adoption and implementation

👤 Committee Leadership

Chip Babcock
SCAC Chairman
Experienced appellate attorney leading committee review of AI-related rule proposals and judicial policy development.
Jimmy Blacklock
Chief Justice (2025-Present)
Current Texas Chief Justice overseeing AI rule development and judicial technology integration.
Nathan Hecht
Former Chief Justice (2013-2024)
Initiated AI rule review process, referred AI issues to SCAC during final year as Chief Justice.

📅 Coordinated AI Governance Timeline

Aug 2019

ABA Resolution 112

American Bar Association urges courts and lawyers to address emerging ethical and legal issues related to AI usage in legal practice.

Feb 2023

ABA Resolution 604

ABA establishes comprehensive guidelines for AI system design, development, deployment, and use across legal organizations.

June 2023

Texas AI Advisory Council Created

HB 2060 establishes Texas AI Advisory Council to study state government AI use and develop ethical guidelines.

July 2024

SCAC AI Rule Review

Chief Justice Hecht refers AI-related rule issues to Supreme Court Advisory Committee for comprehensive review and recommendation.

July 2024

ABA Formal Opinion 512

ABA Standing Committee on Ethics issues first comprehensive guidance on lawyer use of generative AI tools.

Dec 2024

Advisory Council Report

Texas AI Advisory Council submits final report to Legislature with recommendations for AI governance and regulation.

June 2025

TRAIGA Passage

Texas Legislature passes comprehensive AI governance act, incorporating Advisory Council recommendations and establishing new regulatory framework.

🔗 How These Bodies Work Together

ABA Task Force

Sets national standards and provides model policies that influence state-level implementation

Texas AI Advisory Council

Adapts national guidance to Texas-specific needs and provides state government perspective

TX Supreme Court Advisory

Translates policy into specific court rules and judicial procedures for Texas lawyers

🎯 Coordinated Approach Benefits

Consistency:

Aligned standards across national, state, and judicial levels

Comprehensiveness:

Coverage of all aspects from ethics to implementation

Practicality:

Real-world application through court rules and procedures

🎯 Impact on Personal Injury Practice

These three governance bodies directly shape how personal injury lawyers can use AI in their daily practice, from ethical obligations to court procedures.

📋 Ethical Compliance

ABA guidance provides framework for competent AI use, while Texas Opinion 705 gives specific requirements for supervision and disclosure.

🏛️ Court Procedures

SCAC develops specific rules for AI disclosure in filings, ensuring transparency while protecting competitive advantages.

🔒 Data Protection

Advisory Council work influences state-level data privacy requirements affecting client information in AI systems.

⚖️ Risk Management

Coordinated guidance helps PI lawyers avoid sanctions while maximizing AI benefits for case management and client service.

Stay Compliant with All Levels

Understanding these three governance bodies is essential for Texas personal injury lawyers using AI. Get the guidance you need to navigate all requirements.

🎯 Quick Reference for PI Lawyers

ABA Guidance

Follow Formal Opinion 512 for national AI ethics standards, competence requirements, and risk management practices.

Texas State Rules

Comply with Opinion 705 and upcoming TRAIGA requirements for AI use in Texas legal practice.

Court Procedures

Monitor SCAC rule development for AI disclosure requirements and judicial AI policies.