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.
(a) CommunicationsCommunication"Communication" means a press release, pamphlet, flyer, form letter, sign, billboard, paid advertisement printed in any newspaper or other publication or broadcast on radio or television, or telephone call featuring a recorded message, or any other form of advertising, including Internet and digital advertising, directed to the electorate.Section 1(b) paid for or financed by a candidate committee, joint candidates committee, political committee, continuing political committee, independent expenditure committee, political party committee, or legislative leadership committee, or any group other than such a committee, or any person shall be subject to the following:
(a)(1) 1 any communicationCommunication"Communication" means a press release, pamphlet, flyer, form letter, sign, billboard, paid advertisement printed in any newspaper or other publication or broadcast on radio or television, or telephone call featuring a recorded message, or any other form of advertising, including Internet and digital advertising, directed to the electorate.Section 1(b) aiding or promoting the nomination, election, or defeat of any candidate, or providing political information on any candidate, that was created or altered using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(b) shall not be published, circulated, broadcast, or otherwise made publicly available within 90 days before an election;
(a)(2) 2 any communicationCommunication"Communication" means a press release, pamphlet, flyer, form letter, sign, billboard, paid advertisement printed in any newspaper or other publication or broadcast on radio or television, or telephone call featuring a recorded message, or any other form of advertising, including Internet and digital advertising, directed to the electorate.Section 1(b) published, circulated, broadcast, or otherwise made publicly available using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(b) shall be clearly labeled with the statement, "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(b) was used in creating this message"; and
(a)(3) 3 any communicationCommunication"Communication" means a press release, pamphlet, flyer, form letter, sign, billboard, paid advertisement printed in any newspaper or other publication or broadcast on radio or television, or telephone call featuring a recorded message, or any other form of advertising, including Internet and digital advertising, directed to the electorate.Section 1(b) published, circulated, broadcast, or otherwise made publicly available shall not contain deceptive audio or visual mediaDeceptive audio or visual media"Deceptive audio or visual media" means any video recording, motion picture film, sound recording, electronic image, or photograph, or any technological representation of speech or conduct substantially derivative thereof that appears, to a reasonable person, to authentically depict any speech or conduct of a person who did not in fact engage in the speech or conduct and the production of which was substantially dependent upon technical means, rather than the ability of another person to physically or verbally impersonate the person.Section 1(b) that was created or altered using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(b), features an opposing candidate for the same office, and that presents or portrays the opposing candidate in a manner that is demonstrably false, fraudulent, or defamatory.
(b) As used in this section, "artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that may influence physical or virtual environments.Section 1(b)" means a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that may influence physical or virtual environments. "CommunicationCommunication"Communication" means a press release, pamphlet, flyer, form letter, sign, billboard, paid advertisement printed in any newspaper or other publication or broadcast on radio or television, or telephone call featuring a recorded message, or any other form of advertising, including Internet and digital advertising, directed to the electorate.Section 1(b)" means a press release, pamphlet, flyer, form letter, sign, billboard, paid advertisement printed in any newspaper or other publication or broadcast on radio or television, or telephone call featuring a recorded message, or any other form of advertising, including Internet and digital advertising, directed to the electorate. "Deceptive audio or visual mediaDeceptive audio or visual media"Deceptive audio or visual media" means any video recording, motion picture film, sound recording, electronic image, or photograph, or any technological representation of speech or conduct substantially derivative thereof that appears, to a reasonable person, to authentically depict any speech or conduct of a person who did not in fact engage in the speech or conduct and the production of which was substantially dependent upon technical means, rather than the ability of another person to physically or verbally impersonate the person.Section 1(b)" means any video recording, motion picture film, sound recording, electronic image, or photograph, or any technological representation of speech or conduct substantially derivative thereof that appears, to a reasonable person, to authentically depict any speech or conduct of a person who did not in fact engage in the speech or conduct and the production of which was substantially dependent upon technical means, rather than the ability of another person to physically or verbally impersonate the person.
(c) A person who violates any provision of this section, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
(d) The Election Law Enforcement Commission shall, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement this act.
Section 1 imposes three distinct restrictions on election communications financed by any political committee or person. The first is a blanket 90-day prohibition on publishing any communication that aids or promotes a candidate if the communication was created or altered using AI — regardless of whether the communication is accurate or labeled. The second requires all AI-assisted communications to carry a mandatory label. The third specifically prohibits deceptive audio or visual media created with AI that falsely depicts an opposing candidate.
The scope of covered actors is exceptionally broad — it extends to candidate committees, political committees, continuing political committees, independent expenditure committees, political party committees, legislative leadership committees, any other group, and any person. The definitions subsection adopts a broad AI definition aligned with current OECD-style language and defines communications to encompass all forms of advertising directed to the electorate.
This act shall take effect on the 60th day after the date of enactment.
Section 2 provides that the act takes effect on the 60th day after the date of enactment. This is a standard delayed-effectiveness provision with no independent compliance obligation.