Bill > SB141

This bill, titled "Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty," aims to regulate the use of "synthetic media" in political advertising. Synthetic media refers to content that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated, meaning it might depict actions or speech that never actually occurred. The bill prohibits the publication or broadcast of electioneering communications, which are defined as communications that advocate for or against a candidate or issue, if they contain synthetic media, unless a specific disclaimer is conspicuously displayed. This disclaimer must state: "This message contains synthetic media that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated and may present conduct or speech that did not occur." Violators face a civil penalty of up to $25,000, and willful violations are classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, a serious criminal offense. Furthermore, any registered voter who receives such a communication in violation of these rules can file a lawsuit to prevent its further publication or dissemination, including seeking a temporary or permanent injunction. The bill also introduces a provision for defamation claims related to electioneering media within 30 days of an election, allowing candidates to seek injunctive relief to stop the further spread of such media, with courts prioritizing these cases and considering the public's interest in an informed electorate.