LA HB459: Provides relative to the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns

In one paragraph

Louisiana's HB 459 (Act 806) bars making an electioneering communication portraying a candidate or an elected official subject to recall that AI was used to create, alter or digitally manipulate so it would falsely appear to a reasonable observer to be an authentic record of their actual speech or conduct and to replace an individual's likeness with theirs, without a clear, understandable disclosure that it was made using AI. A violation intended to injure their reputation or deceive a voter carries a fine up to $2,000, up to two years in prison, or both. Media entities that broadcast paid ads they had no input in or control over are exempt. Signed June 9, 2026; effective August 1, 2026.

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

What it means for business

Anyone making or causing an electioneering communication in Louisiana must clearly disclose AI-made portrayals of a candidate or recall target that would falsely appear authentic and replace another's likeness with theirs. Non-candidates spending over $1,000 on such communications must report.

Key provisions

1. 1R.S. 18:1463(A): adds a legislative finding that protecting the electoral process requires that the public not be deceived or misled by an image, likeness or voice of a candidate or elected official subject to recall that is created using artificial intelligence
2. 2New R.S. 18:1463(F)(1): no person may make or cause to be made an electioneering communication portraying a candidate or elected official subject to recall that is, through AI, created, altered or digitally manipulated in a manner that would falsely appear to a reasonable observer to be an authentic record of their actual speech or conduct and that would falsely appear to replace an individual's likeness with theirs, without a clear and understandable disclosure on the communication that it was created using AI
3. 3The disclosure's form must be consistent with the disclosure requirements of R.S. 18:1463(E); 'artificial intelligence' has the meaning in R.S. 14:73.14 and 'candidate' the meaning in R.S. 18:1483
4. 4R.S. 18:1463(H) (formerly (G)): whoever violates any provision of § 1463 with the intent to injure the reputation of a candidate or elected official subject to recall or to otherwise deceive a voter faces a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to two years, or both; the intent requirement is new
5. 5New R.S. 18:1463(I): § 1463 does not apply to a media entity that broadcasts a paid political announcement, advertisement or electioneering communication in which it had no input or control; media entities include broadcast stations, cable, satellite and streaming providers, newspapers, periodicals, billboard companies, advertisement agencies, media platforms, internet access providers and bona fide news or public interest websites (R.S. 18:1483(33)(b))
6. 6New R.S. 18:1483(33)(a): an electioneering communication is any printed, digital or broadcast communication that contains express advocacy for or against a person's nomination or election, a recall, or a proposition or question, or whose only reasonable conclusion (considering timing, audience and whether it is part of a larger issue campaign) is an appeal to vote for or against one; 'digital material' in § 1463(G) now covers only material placed or promoted for a fee or other payment
7. 7Campaign finance: a person other than a candidate or committee whose expenditures for electioneering communications exceed $1,000 in the aggregate during the committee aggregating period must file reports (R.S. 18:1501.1(A)(1)); coordinated expenditures count as contributions to the candidate, principal campaign committee or subsidiary committee that, directly or through an agent, cooperated with the communication's creator or disseminator or requested or suggested it (R.S. 18:1483(7)(b)(ii))
8. 8Signed by the Governor June 9, 2026 (Act 806 of the 2026 Regular Session); effective August 1, 2026 per the Legislature's bill history (the act states no effective date)

Latest legislative action

Jun 9, 2026. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 806.

Sponsors

Roll call votes

Amendments (5)

• House Floor Amendment #3490 Miller D. Adopted Adopted
• House Floor Amendment #3811 Landry Mandie Proposed Not adopted
• House Floor Amendment #4893 Landry Mandie Proposed Not adopted
• Senate Committee Amendment #4156 S&G Proposed Not adopted
• Senate Committee Amendment #4144 S&G Draft Not adopted