Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
Summary
Elections; political campaign advertisements; synthetic media; penalty. Prohibits electioneering communications containing synthetic media, as those terms are defined in the bill, from being published or broadcast without containing the following conspicuously displayed statement: "This message contains synthetic media that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated and may present conduct or speech that did not occur." The bill creates a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation of such prohibition and a Class 1 misdemeanor for a willful violation. The bill permits any registered voter who receives an electioneering communication in violation of this requirement to institute an action for preventative relief to prohibit the publication or dissemination of such electioneering communication, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Feb 6, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (6-Y 2-N)
lower
Jan 25, 2026
Committee
Assigned HPE sub: Campaigns and Candidates
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rae Cousins
DDemocratic
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