Relating to required disclosures on certain political advertising that contains altered media; creating a criminal offense.
relating to required disclosures on certain political advertising
that contains altered media; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 255, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 255.0015 to read as follows:
Sec. 255.0015. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE ON CERTAIN POLITICAL
ADVERTISING CONTAINING ALTERED MEDIA; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A
person may not cause to be published, distributed, or broadcast
political advertising that includes an image, audio recording, or
video recording of an officeholder’s or candidate’s appearance,
speech, or conduct that did not occur in reality, including an
image, audio recording, or video recording that has been altered
using generative artificial intelligence technology, unless the
political advertising includes a disclosure indicating that the
image, audio recording, or video recording did not occur in
reality.
(b) The commission by rule shall prescribe the form of the
disclosure required by Subsection (a), including the font, size,
and color of the disclosure. The commission shall ensure that the
form of the disclosure is consistent with other required
disclosures on political advertising.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person violates this
section. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
