State Attorneys General Continue to Collaborate on Bipartisan Issues

State Attorneys General (AGs) across the country continue their bipartisan collaboration on issues affecting citizens across state lines. State AGs have long worked in multi-state groups related to broad-based investigations and settlements, but State AGs also work together regarding certain policy initiatives as well as in smaller groups and in tandem.

For example, State AGs are active in policy matters, including through the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). In November of last year, NAAG sent a letter to Congress on behalf of 42 State AGs urging action on algorithm-driven social media platforms due to their alleged psychological harm on children and adolescents. The State AGs called for legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning on social media platforms and cited research linking platform use to serious mental health issues. The State AGs even addressed their political differences in the letter by stating, “[a]s State Attorneys General, we sometimes disagree about important issues, but all of us share an abiding concern for the safety of the kids in our jurisdictions – and algorithm-driven social media platforms threaten that safety.”

Relatedly, a bipartisan coalition of 32 State AGs signed onto a letter sent by the Tennessee AG urging Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, which “will establish better safeguards for minors online.” In the letter, the State AGs explicitly called on Congress “to aid our state-level efforts” to protect children from online dangers.

In the telecommunications space, NAAG sent a letter in response to the public notice issued by the Wireline Completion Bureau and Office of the Managing Director seeking comment on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s proposals to increase accountability and accuracy among filings in the Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD). 47 State AGs signed the letter and called for improvements to the RMD’s information accuracy, accountability for its owners and executives, and penalties for service providers that disregard the FTC’s requirements.

Another area of focus for bipartisan State AG collaboration is the regulation of artificial intelligence, particularly concerning sexual exploitation of children. State AGs have been proactive in educating legislatures about the implications of new technologies and advocating for certain protections.

Relatedly, in June of 2024, 44 State and Territory AGs signed onto a letter sent by NAAG to Congress endorsing the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024. The Act would establish a commission to “investigate and make recommendations on solutions to improve the ability of a law enforcement agency to prevent, detect, and prosecute child exploitation crimes committed using artificial intelligence.” The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bipartisan State AGs also work together to advocate for legislative budgets. In April of 2024, 39 State and Territory AGs signed onto a letter from NAAG to Congress urging maximum funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. LSC provides legal services to low-income Americans and funds 131 legal services programs in 900 locations serving every county in every state, the District of Columbia, and the territories.

NAAG has also facilitated State AG advocacy with private corporations. On March 5, 2024, NAAG sent a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) on behalf of a bipartisan coalition of 41 State AGs to “request immediate action to address the dramatic increase in user account takeovers and lockouts on Facebook and Instagram” after their offices experienced an increase in related complaints in recent years. In the letter, State AGs requested time to discuss these issues with Meta and requested relevant materials for further investigation.

State AGs even came together to reach voters during a time of political unrest. On November 4, 2024, NAAG released a statement on behalf of a bipartisan coalition of 51 State AGs condemning possible violence in response to election results. The State AGs highlighted the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and stated, “[a]s Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles we serve.”

The Attorney General Alliance, another professional association of State AGs, recently facilitated conversations between bipartisan State AGs regarding the growing issue of organized retail crime. The Alliance partnered with private sector companies who suffered million-dollar losses that were not being addressed by law enforcement. Thereafter, 36 AGs established task forces to explore these issues and facilitate initiatives with private, public, and academic partners.

State AGs are also working together in the courtroom challenging private class action settlements. On December 16, 2024, an Illinois federal judge allowed 22 bipartisan State AGs to file an amicus brief challenging an artificial intelligence company’s settlement for automatic collection of biometric facial data online. The lawsuit was brought by an Illinois resident against the company under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, which establishes standards for how companies need to handle customers’ biometric data in Illinois. In June 2024, the company proposed a settlement comprised of damages for class members based on the value of the company if it goes public or is liquidated through a merger or sale. The State AGs submitted an amicus brief in which they argued that the settlement undermined consumers’ right to privacy and gave class members “an unknown financial stake in the very company that harmed them.” A ruling from the court is expected to be issued soon.

Even though State AGs work in a mostly partisan manner on certain political issues, these initiatives and actions highlight the ability of State AGs to work in a bipartisan manner on issues they view of critical importance to the citizens of their respective states.