In one paragraph
Missouri's SB 1183 would add section 115.645 to bar a creator who uses AI or other digital technology from distributing, within eighteen weeks of an election, synthetic media the creator knows or should have known is a deceptive and fraudulent deepfake, unless it carries the disclosure "This [image/video/audio] has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence." Violations would carry misdemeanor or felony penalties and civil penalties. Referred to the Senate General Laws Committee January 27, 2026; the bill died when the 2026 regular session ended in May 2026 without being truly agreed to and finally passed.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass and is not law. Had it passed, it would have required creators of AI political media to add disclosures near elections or face penalties.
Key provisions
- Would define a deceptive and fraudulent deepfake as synthetic media that gives false information on where, when or how to vote, or depicts a candidate or party with intent to injure their reputation and deceive a voter
- Would bar a creator (not including providers or developers of the technology used) from distributing such a deepfake within eighteen weeks of an election unless the required AI disclosure is included
- Would set disclosure rules: text no smaller than the largest other text, shown for the whole video; audio-only disclosures spoken at the start, the end and at least every two minutes
- Would let a depicted candidate seek injunctive or other equitable relief, and let any harmed individual bring a private civil action
- Would punish violations as a class B misdemeanor (class A if intending violence or bodily harm, class E felony after a prior conviction) or by a civil penalty of at least $1,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000,000 for a subsequent one
- Would exempt bona fide news broadcasts and publications that disclose authenticity questions, paid broadcasters and website owners, interactive computer services, and satire or parody
- Not enacted: the last action was referral to committee on January 27, 2026
Latest legislative action
Jan 27, 2026. Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee
Sponsors
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Nick Schroer | 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