WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1)(a)–(b) 1. For purposes of this section: a. "Synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of any form of digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording that produces any of the following: (1) A depiction of an individual in appearance, speech, or conduct that a reasonable individual would believe depicts a real individual. (2) A materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable individual would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording. "Synthetic media" does not include content created using digital technology solely for text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks, stylistic editing, or enhancing existing content without creating a new impersonation of a human likeness or voice.Iowa Code § 68A.407(1)" means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of any form of digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording that produces any of the following: (1) A depiction of an individual in appearance, speech, or conduct that a reasonable individual would believe depicts a real individual. (2) A materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable individual would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording. b. "Synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of any form of digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording that produces any of the following: (1) A depiction of an individual in appearance, speech, or conduct that a reasonable individual would believe depicts a real individual. (2) A materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable individual would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording. "Synthetic media" does not include content created using digital technology solely for text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks, stylistic editing, or enhancing existing content without creating a new impersonation of a human likeness or voice.Iowa Code § 68A.407(1)" does not include content created using digital technology solely for text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks, stylistic editing, or enhancing existing content without creating a new impersonation of a human likeness or voice.
(2) 1 2. Published material, as defined in section 68A.405, that contains synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of any form of digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording that produces any of the following: (1) A depiction of an individual in appearance, speech, or conduct that a reasonable individual would believe depicts a real individual. (2) A materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable individual would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording. "Synthetic media" does not include content created using digital technology solely for text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks, stylistic editing, or enhancing existing content without creating a new impersonation of a human likeness or voice.Iowa Code § 68A.407(1) must prominently include the words "THIS CONTENT GENERATED USING SYNTHETIC MEDIASynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of any form of digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording that produces any of the following: (1) A depiction of an individual in appearance, speech, or conduct that a reasonable individual would believe depicts a real individual. (2) A materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable individual would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording. "Synthetic media" does not include content created using digital technology solely for text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks, stylistic editing, or enhancing existing content without creating a new impersonation of a human likeness or voice.Iowa Code § 68A.407(1)". The person who is responsible for the published material has the sole responsibility and liability for inclusion of the disclosure required by this subsection.
(3) 3. The inclusion of the disclosure required by this section does not preclude a person from pursuing any other remedies under law for the publication of synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, audio recording, or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of any form of digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio recording, or video recording that produces any of the following: (1) A depiction of an individual in appearance, speech, or conduct that a reasonable individual would believe depicts a real individual. (2) A materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable individual would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording. "Synthetic media" does not include content created using digital technology solely for text generation, grammar correction, spelling checks, stylistic editing, or enhancing existing content without creating a new impersonation of a human likeness or voice.Iowa Code § 68A.407(1).
(4) 2 4. The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.
This section creates Iowa's first disclosure requirement for synthetic media used in political campaign materials. It defines synthetic media as digitally manipulated images, audio, or video that produce a realistic but false depiction of an individual or create a materially different impression from the original — but excludes text generation, grammar tools, and stylistic edits that do not impersonate a human likeness or voice.
The core operative requirement is that any published campaign material containing synthetic media must prominently display the words "THIS CONTENT GENERATED USING SYNTHETIC MEDIA." Sole responsibility and liability for including the disclosure falls on the person responsible for the published material, channeling enforcement to the publisher rather than to vendors, platforms, or AI tool providers. The section expressly preserves other legal remedies for synthetic media publication and directs the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to adopt implementing rules.