In one paragraph
Hawaii's House Bill 2607 (2026) would have amended the state's publicity-rights law, chapter 482P, by adding definitions of 'artificial intelligence' and 'artificial intelligence deepfake' and including AI deepfakes in the definition of a person's 'likeness'. The deepfake definition covers media entirely created by AI that would falsely appear authentic, or materially altered by AI. ECD deferred it February 6, 2026 and it was not enacted. It would have taken effect upon approval.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill was not enacted. If enacted, AI deepfakes of a person would have fallen within the 'likeness' protected by Hawaii's publicity-rights law.
Key provisions
- Would have defined 'artificial intelligence deepfake' as media entirely created using AI that would falsely appear authentic to a reasonable person, or materially altered by AI so a reasonable person would understand it fundamentally differently
- Would have added 'artificial intelligence' by reference to section 11-303
- Would have expanded 'likeness' in chapter 482P to include an AI deepfake of an individual's face or body
- Contains no new prohibition, remedy or penalty of its own; it works through the existing publicity-rights provisions, which are not in the bill
- Referred to ECD and JHA February 2, 2026; deferred February 6, 2026; stated effective upon approval
Latest legislative action
Feb 6, 2026. The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Sponsors (showing 5 of 47)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| AMATO | Primary |
| B. KOBAYASHI | Primary |
| BELATTI | Primary |
| BROWER | Primary |
| C. LEE | 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