S. 1213

119 S1213 IS: Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act
 U.S. Senate
 2025-03-31
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 II  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. 1213  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   March 31, 2025   Ms. Klobuchar  (for herself,  Mr. Hawley ,  Mr. Coons ,  Ms. Collins , and  Mr. Bennet ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Rules and Administration    A BILL
To prohibit the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media relating to candidates for Federal office, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act  .
2.
Prohibition on distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media prior to election
(a)
In general
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 ( 52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
325.
Prohibition on distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Covered individual
The term  covered individual  means a candidate for Federal office.
(2)
Deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media
The 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.
(3)
Federal election activity
The term  Federal election activity  has the meaning given the term in section 301(20)(A)(iii).
(b)
Prohibition
Except as provided in subsection (c), a person, political committee, or other entity may not 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—
(1)
influencing an election; or
(2)
soliciting funds.
(c)
Inapplicability to certain entities
This section shall not apply to the following:
(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 media 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 media.
(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 media prohibited under this section, if the publication clearly states that the materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media does not accurately represent the speech or conduct of the covered individual.
(3)
Materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media that constitutes satire or parody.
(d)
Civil action
(1)
Injunctive or other equitable relief
(A)
In general
A covered individual whose voice or likeness appears in, or who is the subject of, a materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media, including content distributed as part of a Federal election activity, distributed in violation of this section may seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media in violation of this section.
(B)
Precedence
An action under this paragraph shall be entitled to precedence in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(2)
Damages
(A)
In general
A covered individual whose voice or likeness appears in, or who is the subject of, a materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media, including content distributed as part of a Federal election activity, 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 media.
(B)
Attorney's fees and costs
In addition to any damages awarded under subparagraph (A), the court may also award a prevailing party reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
(C)
Rule of construction
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or preclude a plaintiff from securing or recovering any other available remedy.
(3)
Burden of proof
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.
 .
(b)
Severability
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.