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AL HB172: Crimes & offenses, provides criminal & civil penalties for distribution of materially deceptive media intended to influence an election.

Effective Oct 1, 2024 Alabama · 2024 session

Last verified Oct 12, 2026 · official bill text

HB172 · where it stands

All steps complete
  1. Introduced Complete
  2. Passed first chamber Complete
  3. Passed both chambers Complete
  4. Enacted Complete
  5. Effective Since Oct 1, 2024
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Alabama's HB 172 (Act 2024-349) makes it a crime to distribute materially deceptive media (AI-produced image, audio or video falsely depicting a person's speech or conduct) within 90 days before an election when the distributor knows it is false and intends to harm a candidate or deceive voters. A disclaimer stating the media 'has been manipulated by technical means and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur' avoids liability. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor; a second conviction within five years is a Class D felony. The Attorney General, the depicted person, candidates and voter groups may seek injunctions. Effective October 1, 2024.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

Campaigns, consultants and ad sellers must label AI-generated deceptive political media in the 90 days before Alabama elections.

Key provisions

  1. Materially deceptive media: image, audio or video produced by artificial intelligence that falsely depicts speech or conduct
  2. Distribution prohibited within 90 days before an election with intent to harm a candidate or deceive voters
  3. Safe harbor for media carrying a clear disclaimer that it was manipulated by technical means
  4. Class A misdemeanor; second conviction within five years is a Class D felony
  5. Attorney General, depicted individuals, candidates and voter organizations may seek permanent injunctions
  6. Exceptions for bona fide news coverage and certain providers

Latest legislative action

May 15, 2024. Act 2024-349, approved by the Governor May 15, 2024

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI in Political Advertising

Affected industries

MediaGovernment

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

Related AI laws in Alabama

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SB292 Real property; creation of Alabama Property Protection Act of 2026; title fraud HB161 Crimes & offenses, prohibits a person from creating a private image without cons SB129 Artificial intelligence; disclosure of artificial intelligence-generated content HB327 Consumer protection; production of digital replicas of voice or visual likenesse HB168 Crimes & Offenses, raises max. age for offenses involving obscene materials with SB226 Motor vehicles, use of motor vehicles equipped with an automated driving system.

Same topic in other states

Indiana HB1133 Use of digitally altered media in elections Idaho H0664 ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS – Freedom From AI-Rigged (FAIR) Elections Act: rel Texas SB751 Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for fabricating a deceptive video Rhode Island H5872 Relating to Elections -- Deceptive and Fraudulent Synthetic Media in Election Co California AB686 Elections: deceptive audio or visual media. New York S9678 Relates to requiring certain notice and disclosure regarding materially deceptiv