In one paragraph
Alaska's SB 33 (2025-26) would have made a defamation action based on synthetic media a claim for defamation per se and barred a person from knowingly using synthetic media in an electioneering communication with intent to influence an election. A harmed individual could sue for damages, attorney fees and costs or seek an injunction. It was heard and held in Senate State Affairs on April 29, 2025 and died when the session ended May 20, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died and never became law. It would have exposed creators and knowing disseminators of AI-manipulated election communications to damages suits, with a disclosure-statement defense.
Key provisions
- Would make an action for defamation based on synthetic media a claim for defamation per se (AS 09.65.360)
- Would bar knowingly using synthetic media in an electioneering communication with the intent to influence an election (AS 15.80.009(a))
- Would let a harmed individual recover damages, full reasonable attorney fees and costs from the creator, from a disseminator who knows it includes synthetic media, or from a person who removes the disclosure statement with intent to influence an election knowing it includes synthetic media
- Would give a defense if the communication carried the statement "This (image/video/audio) has been manipulated" in the required form, or if the media is satire or parody
- Would define synthetic media as AI-manipulated realistic but false images, audio or video, and exclude minimally edited media
- Would exempt interactive computer services, internet, cloud and telecommunications providers and broadcasters from liability for hosting or distributing another person's communication
- Would take effect immediately; heard and held in Senate State Affairs April 29, 2025 and died when the session ended May 20, 2026
Latest legislative action
Apr 29, 2025. (S) Minutes (SSTA); died when the 34th Alaska Legislature's 2026 session ended May 20, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 13)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Cronk | Primary |
| Kaufman | Primary |
| RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR | Primary |
| SENATE RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR | Primary |
| STEVENS | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error