Editing News-June-17-2026 (section)

== Sanders proposes public ownership stakes in major AI companies ==
AP News reported on June 17, 2026, that Sen. Bernie Sanders proposed legislation that would create a sovereign wealth fund funded by a one-time 50% tax on the stock of AI companies reaching $200 million in annual AI sales.<ref name="ap-sanders-ai-ownership" /> The AP report said the bill would require covered companies to transfer stock rather than cash, making the public a major shareholder in the largest AI firms.<ref name="ap-sanders-ai-ownership" /> The proposal would place the fund under a seven-member independent commission nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and Sanders estimated that a 5% annual dividend could provide direct payments of more than $1,000 to every American.<ref name="ap-sanders-ai-ownership" /> The proposal is significant for AI law because it would turn AI-sector concentration and automation gains into a federal ownership-and-governance question rather than only a tax or antitrust issue.<ref name="ap-sanders-ai-ownership" />

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