Bill > HB556

This bill amends the Texas Election Code to create a criminal offense related to the creation and distribution of artificially generated media (AGM) intended to influence election outcomes. Specifically, the law makes it illegal for a person to create AGM with the intent to harm a candidate or impact an election result, and then publish or distribute that media within 30 days of an election. The bill significantly broadens the previous definition of "deep fake video" to include a wider range of media types such as images, audio recordings, video recordings, radio broadcasts, and written text that are created or modified using generative artificial intelligence or other computer software, with the goal of deliberately deceiving viewers. The expanded definition removes the previous requirement that the media depict a real person performing an action that did not actually occur. The new provisions will only apply to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, when the law takes effect, ensuring that prior actions are not retroactively criminalized.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB556