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)(1) The term 'covered individualcovered individualThe term 'covered individual' means a candidate for Federal office.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(1))' means a candidate for Federal office.
(a)(2) The term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2))' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.
(a)(3) The term 'Federal election activityFederal election activityThe term 'Federal election activity' has the meaning given the term in section 301(20)(A)(iii).52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(3))' has the meaning given the term in section 301(20)(A)(iii).
This subsection establishes the three defined terms that scope the bill's prohibition. Covered individual is limited to candidates for Federal office. Deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media requires both an AI-generation element and a reasonable-person materiality test — the content must either create a fundamentally different impression of a candidate's conduct or lead a viewer to believe a candidate did something they did not. Federal election activity is incorporated by reference from existing FECA definitions.
(b) 1 Except as provided in subsection (c), a person, political committee, or other entity may not knowingly distribute materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)) in carrying out a Federal election activityFederal election activityThe term 'Federal election activity' has the meaning given the term in section 301(20)(A)(iii).52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(3)) or of a covered individualcovered individualThe term 'covered individual' means a candidate for Federal office.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(1)) for the purpose of— (1) influencing an election; or (2) soliciting funds.
This subsection establishes the bill's core prohibition: no person, political committee, or other entity may knowingly distribute materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media in carrying out a Federal election activity or of a covered individual for the purpose of influencing an election or soliciting funds. The knowledge requirement — knowingly — means the distributor must be aware that the content is AI-generated and materially deceptive. The purpose element limits the prohibition to distribution aimed at election influence or fundraising, excluding incidental or unrelated sharing.
(c)(1) A radio or television broadcasting station, including a cable or satellite television operator, programmer, or producer, or a streaming service that broadcasts materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)) prohibited by this section as part of a bona fide newscast, news interview, news documentary, or on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events, if the broadcast clearly acknowledges through content or a disclosure, in a manner that can be easily heard or read by the average listener or viewer, that there are questions about the authenticity of the materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)).
(c)(2) A regularly published newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation, including an internet or electronic publication, that routinely carries news and commentary of general interest, and that publishes materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)) prohibited under this section, if the publication clearly states that the materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)) does not accurately represent the speech or conduct of the covered individualcovered individualThe term 'covered individual' means a candidate for Federal office.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(1)).
(c)(3) Materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)) that constitutes satire or parody.
This subsection carves out three categories from the prohibition. Broadcast and streaming media are exempt when the AI-generated content is used in bona fide news coverage and the broadcast clearly acknowledges questions about the content's authenticity. Print and internet publications of general interest are exempt if they clearly state the media does not accurately represent the candidate's speech or conduct. Satire and parody are categorically exempt with no disclosure obligation. These exemptions are structured as affirmative defenses that the distributor must satisfy — not blanket entity-type exclusions.
(d)(1)(A)–(B) A covered individualcovered individualThe term 'covered individual' means a candidate for Federal office.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(1)) whose voice or likeness appears in, or who is the subject of, a materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)), including content distributed as part of a Federal election activityFederal election activityThe term 'Federal election activity' has the meaning given the term in section 301(20)(A)(iii).52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(3)), distributed in violation of this section may seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)) in violation of this section. (B) An action under this paragraph shall be entitled to precedence in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(d)(2)(A)–(C) A covered individualcovered individualThe term 'covered individual' means a candidate for Federal office.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(1)) whose voice or likeness appears in, or who is the subject of, a materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)), including content distributed as part of a Federal election activityFederal election activityThe term 'Federal election activity' has the meaning given the term in section 301(20)(A)(iii).52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(3)), distributed in violation of this section may bring an action for general or special damages against the person, committee, or other entity that distributed the materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediadeceptive AI-generated audio or visual mediaThe term 'deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media' means an image, audio, or video that— (A) is the product of artificial intelligence technology that uses machine learning (including deep learning models, natural learning processing, or any other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity), that— (i) merges, combines, replaces, or superimposes content onto an image, audio, or video, creating an image, audio, or video that appears authentic; or (ii) generates an inauthentic image, audio, or video that appears authentic; and (B) a reasonable person, having considered the qualities of the image, audio, or video and the nature of the distribution channel in which the image, audio, or video appears— (i) would have a fundamentally different understanding or impression of the appearance, speech, or expressive conduct exhibited in the image, audio, or video than that person would have if that person were hearing or seeing the unaltered, original version of the image, audio, or video; or (ii) would believe that the image, audio, or video accurately exhibits any appearance, speech, or expressive conduct of a person who did not actually exhibit such appearance, speech, or expressive conduct.52 U.S.C. § 30125 (proposed § 325(a)(2)). (B) In addition to any damages awarded under subparagraph (A), the court may also award a prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs. (C) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or preclude a plaintiff from securing or recovering any other available remedy.
(d)(3) In any civil action alleging a violation of this section, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of establishing the violation through clear and convincing evidence.
This subsection creates the bill's enforcement mechanism — an exclusively private right of action available to the depicted or targeted candidate. A covered individual may seek either injunctive or equitable relief to stop distribution, or general or special damages against the distributor. The court may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing party. The bill expressly preserves other available remedies. Critically, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving the violation by clear and convincing evidence — a heightened standard consistent with First Amendment concerns surrounding political speech.
If any provision of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected.
Standard severability clause providing that if any provision of the Act is held invalid, the remainder continues in effect.