WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 REQUIREMENT TYPES
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.
This Act may be cited as the ''Responsible and Ethical AI Labeling Act'' or the ''REAL Act''.
Establishes the short title of the Act as the "Responsible and Ethical AI Labeling Act" or the "REAL Act." This section creates no compliance obligation.
(a)(1)–(2) 1 PROHIBITION ON NON-DISCLOSURE.—A Federal officialFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2) may not publish, disseminate, or otherwise release content created or manipulated using generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3) unless such content includes a disclaimer described in paragraph (2). (2) DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS.—The disclaimer described in this paragraph— (A) is clear, conspicuous, and prominently displayed or communicated with the content; (B) is written in plain language that is easily understandable to the general public; and (C) includes the following: (i) A statement that informs the reader the content was created or manipulated using generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3). (ii) A brief explanation of how the content was generated or altered. (iii) A brief explanation of the technology or method used to create or manipulate the content.
(a)(3) 1 EXCEPTIONS.—This subsection does not apply to the following: (A) Any communication not intended for public release. (B) Content created for any classified purpose, if a summary or description of the content that complies with this section is retained by the publishing agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) to accompany any unclassified publication of the content. (C) Content that includes any basic graphic or visual element, such as a text overlay, formatting, or other minor adjustment to visual media (such as brightness, contrast, or cropping) that does not materially alter the meaning or context of the content and the content does not otherwise contain content created or manipulated using generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3). (D) Any routine textual draft or other text-based document prepared using a digital tool, including text drafting software enabled by generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3), if such tool is used to enhance efficiency and the draft or document is reviewed by agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) staff prior to publication. (E) With respect to any content published, disseminated, or otherwise released by a Federal officialFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2), if such content is— (i) not related to the official duties of the officer or employee; and (ii) that is so published, disseminated, or otherwise released on a personal, non-Government social media account or other medium.
This subsection imposes the bill's core substantive obligation: Federal officials may not publish, disseminate, or otherwise release content created or manipulated using generative AI unless the content carries a prescribed disclaimer. The disclaimer must be clear, conspicuous, and written in plain language, and must include three elements: a statement that the content was AI-generated, an explanation of how it was generated or altered, and a description of the technology or method used.
Five exceptions narrow the obligation's scope. Non-public communications, classified content (subject to a retained unclassified summary), minor graphic adjustments that do not materially alter meaning, routine text drafts reviewed by staff before publication, and personal non-government social media posts are all exempt. The routine-text-draft exception is notably broad — it could exempt most everyday agency use of generative AI writing tools, effectively limiting the disclosure obligation to non-text media or to text content not reviewed by staff prior to release.
(b)(1) 2 RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue regulations or policies— (A) to ensure compliance with this section by Federal officialsFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2); and (B) that establish specific guidelines for the formatting, placement, and wording of the disclaimer described in subsection (a)(2) across various media formats.
(b)(2) 3 AUDITS AND REPORTING.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President, Vice President, and the head of each agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) shall submit to Congress and make available on, with respect to the President or Vice President, a public website of the White House, and with respect to an agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1), the public website of the agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1), an audit that describes compliance with this section.
(b)(3) 4 CORRECTION.—If the President, Vice President, or the head of the agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1), or the Comptroller General, determines that the President, Vice President, or any officer or employee of an agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) has published content created or manipulated using generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3) in violation of this section, the President, Vice President, or the head of the agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) (as the case may be) shall— (A) to the greatest extent possible, retract such content; and (B) issue a communication that includes— (i) a statement that indicates the content was issued in violation this section; (ii) a description of factors that led to the publication of the content; and (iii) if appropriate, a version of the content that has been revised to be in compliance with this section, which shall be made publicly available on the applicable website and disseminated, to the extent possible, to the same audience as the initial content.
This subsection establishes the implementation and enforcement framework. Three distinct mechanisms operate in sequence. First, OMB must issue regulations or policies within 180 days of enactment to ensure federal-official compliance and to establish specific formatting, placement, and wording guidelines for the disclaimer across media formats. Second, the President, Vice President, and each agency head must submit annual compliance audits to Congress and publish them on the applicable public website beginning 180 days after enactment. Third, upon a determination by the Comptroller General or an Inspector General that a violation occurred, the responsible official must retract the content to the greatest extent possible and issue a corrective communication acknowledging the violation, describing the factors that led to it, and where appropriate publishing a revised compliant version to the same audience.
(c)(1)(A)–(B) 5 NON-COMPLIANCE.— (A) CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which an individual is found by the Comptroller General or an Inspector General to be in violation of this section, the President, Vice President, or head of that agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) (as the case may be) shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and Congress a plan that outlines the corrective action that will be taken to ensure compliance with this section. (B) OVERSIGHT.—If a plan is not submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A), or a Federal officialFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2) does not comply with such plan or is in violation of this section after implementation of such plan, the Comptroller General shall review the internal controls and procedures of the President, Vice President, or applicable agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1) and, not later than 30 days after the date of the violation, issue corrective actions that shall be carried out not later than 30 days after the date of issuance of such corrective actions.
(c)(2)(A)–(B) 5 ACCOUNTABILITY.— (A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEE.—Any Federal officialFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2) who violates this section may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including disciplinary action under chapter 75 of title 5, United States Code. (B) CONTRACTORS.—Any Federal contractor responsible for non-compliance with this section may face disciplinary action, including restriction on public-facing communication, contract termination, or other corrective action, as determined necessary by the head of the contracting agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1).
This subsection establishes the penalty and accountability framework. Two tracks operate in parallel. For non-compliance, the responsible official must submit a corrective action plan to OMB and Congress within 30 days of a finding by the Comptroller General or an Inspector General. If no plan is submitted or the official remains in violation after implementation, the Comptroller General must review internal controls and issue binding corrective actions within 30 days. For individual accountability, federal employees face disciplinary action under 5 U.S.C. chapter 75, and federal contractors may face restrictions on public-facing communication, contract termination, or other corrective action as determined by the contracting agency head. Notably, there are no monetary penalties and no private right of action.
(d)(1) AGENCYAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1).—The term ''agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1)'' has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.
(d)(2) FEDERAL OFFICIALFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2).—The term ''Federal officialFederal officialThe term "Federal official" means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agency.Section 2(d)(2)'' means— (A) the President and the Vice President; and (B) any officer or employee of an agencyAgencyThe term "agency" has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, and includes the Executive Office of the President.Section 2(d)(1).
(d)(3) GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3).—The term ''generative artificial intelligenceGenerative artificial intelligenceThe term "generative artificial intelligence" means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.Section 2(d)(3)'' means any algorithmic system that uses parameters derived from previously observed or generated data to non-deterministically create or modify digital content, including text, image, video, sound, or any combination thereof.
This subsection defines the three key terms used throughout the bill: agency (incorporating the 5 U.S.C. § 551 definition and explicitly including the Executive Office of the President), Federal official (the President, Vice President, and any officer or employee of an agency), and generative artificial intelligence (any algorithmic system using learned parameters to non-deterministically create or modify digital content including text, image, video, sound, or any combination). These definitions are purely definitional and impose no independent obligations.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
This subsection provides that the obligations in Section 2 take effect 90 days after the date of enactment. Because the bill has not been enacted, no specific effective date can be computed.