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) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Freedom From AI-Rigged (FAIR) Elections Act."
(2) For purposes of this section: (a) "Information content providerInformation content provider"Information content provider" means any person or entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the creation or development of information provided through the internet or any other interactive computer service.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(a)" means any person or entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the creation or development of information provided through the internet or any other interactive computer serviceInteractive computer service"Interactive computer service" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(b). (b) "Interactive computer serviceInteractive computer service"Interactive computer service" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(b)" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions. (c) "Synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c)" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.
(3) 1 A candidate whose appearance, action, or speech is altered through the use of synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c) in an electioneering communication may seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the publication of such synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c).
(4) 1 A candidate whose appearance, action, or speech is altered through the use of synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c) in an electioneering communication may bring an action for general damages, special damages, or both against the sponsor. The court may also award a prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs. The provisions of this subsection do not limit or preclude a plaintiff from securing or recovering any other available remedy.
(5) 1 It shall be an affirmative defense for any action brought pursuant to this section that the electioneering communication containing a synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c) includes a disclosure stating, "This (image/video/audio) has been manipulated" in the following manner: (a) For visual media, the text of the disclosure must be prominently displayed and appear in a size easily readable by the average viewer. For visual media that is a video, the disclosure must appear for the duration of the video; or (b) If the media consists of audio only, the disclosure must be read in a clearly spoken manner and in a pitch that can be easily heard by the average listener at the beginning of the audio, at the end of the audio, and, if the audio is greater than two (2) minutes in length, interspersed within the audio at intervals of not more than two (2) minutes each.
(6) In any action commenced pursuant to this section, the plaintiff bears the burden of establishing the use of synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c) by clear and convincing evidence.
(7) Courts are encouraged to determine matters pursuant to this section expediently.
(8) 2 For an action brought pursuant to this section, the sponsor of the electioneering communication may be held liable and not the medium disseminating the electioneering communication, except as provided in subsection (9) of this section.
(9) 2 Except when a licensee, programmer, or operator of a federally licensed broadcasting station transmits an electioneering communication that is subject to 47 U.S.C. 315, a medium may be held liable in a cause of action brought pursuant to this section if: (a) The medium removes any disclosure described in subsection (5) of this section from the electioneering communication it disseminates; or (b) Subject to affirmative defenses described in this section, the medium changes the content of an electioneering communication such that it qualifies as synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means an image, an audio recording, or a video recording of an individual's appearance, speech, or conduct that has been intentionally manipulated with the use of generative adversarial network techniques or other digital technology in a manner to create a realistic but false image, audio, or video that produces: (i) A depiction that to a reasonable individual is of a real individual in appearance, action, or speech that did not actually occur in reality; and (ii) A fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, action, or speech than a reasonable person would have from the unaltered, original version of the image, audio recording, or video recording.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(c).
(10) 2 No provider or user of an interactive computer serviceInteractive computer service"Interactive computer service" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(b) shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content providerInformation content provider"Information content provider" means any person or entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for the creation or development of information provided through the internet or any other interactive computer service.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(a). However, an interactive computer serviceInteractive computer service"Interactive computer service" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions.Idaho Code § 67-6628A(2)(b) may be held liable in accordance with subsection (9) of this section.
This section creates the operative framework of the FAIR Elections Act. It defines synthetic media — AI-manipulated images, audio, or video that produce a realistic but false depiction of a real individual — and establishes a private right of action for candidates depicted in such media within electioneering communications. The statute does not impose an affirmative pre-publication labeling obligation; instead, it structures relief around an affirmative defense available to defendants who include a prescribed disclosure ('This [image/video/audio] has been manipulated') in a prominent and specified format.
Liability is directed primarily at the sponsor of the electioneering communication, with limited medium-liability exceptions for platforms that strip disclosures or create synthetic media themselves. Interactive computer services receive a Section 230–style shield unless they fall within those narrow medium-liability triggers. The plaintiff must prove synthetic media use by the heightened clear and convincing evidence standard.
The provisions of this act are hereby declared to be severable, and if any provision of this act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid for any reason, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this act.
Standard severability clause declaring the provisions of the act severable. If any provision or its application is declared invalid, the remaining provisions survive.
An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after its passage and approval.
Declares an emergency and provides that the act takes effect immediately upon passage and approval, bypassing the standard delayed effective date for Idaho legislation.