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AI Summary
This bill addresses social media platforms altering algorithms to amplify political content and prohibits foreign nationals from using bots for campaign material.
Business Impact
If you operate a social media platform, you must disclose algorithm changes benefiting candidates by January 1, 2025, or face penalties.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
What This Means
SB697 aims to regulate the influence of social media algorithms and bots in elections, focusing on algorithm changes and foreign nationals' use of bots for campaign purposes.
Key Provisions
- Prohibits foreign nationals from using bots to publish, distribute, or disseminate campaign material.
- Includes a rebuttable presumption regarding independent expenditures related to algorithm changes that knowingly and purposefully benefit a candidate.
Latest Legislative Action
Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 19)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Augustine | Primary |
| Beidle | Primary |
| Eckardt | Primary |
| Ellis | Primary |
| Feldman | Primary |
Roll Call Votes
On Third Reading ·
Mar 3, 2026
45 Yea
0 Nay
2 Other
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Monitor and disclose algorithm changes related to political content
Who: Social media platforms
Deadline: Ongoing
Penalty: Potential penalties for non-compliance not specified
Who: Social media platforms
Deadline: Ongoing
Penalty: Potential penalties for non-compliance not specified
Ensure no bots are used by foreign nationals to amplify campaign materials
Who: Social media platforms
Deadline: Ongoing
Penalty: Potential penalties for non-compliance not specified
Who: Social media platforms
Deadline: Ongoing
Penalty: Potential penalties for non-compliance not specified
Full Legal Analysis
SB697 addresses the influence of social media platforms in elections by specifically targeting platforms that alter algorithms to amplify political content for the benefit of a candidate. It prohibits foreign nationals from using bots to publish, distribute, or disseminate campaign material. The bill includes a rebuttable presumption that a social media platform has made an independent expenditure if it knowingly and purposefully alters algorithms to benefit a candidate.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View SB697 on official legislature website →
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Affected Industries
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