OK SB894: Artificial intelligence; prohibiting distribution of certain media and requiring certain disclosures. Effective date.

In one paragraph

Oklahoma's SB 894 (Senate floor version) would bar any person or entity, within 90 days of an election, from creating or originally distributing synthetic media it has actual knowledge is a deepfake of a candidate or political party on the ballot, unless the media carries the disclosure "This ___ (image, audio, or video) has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence." The State Election Board could impose fines of up to $10,000, $5,000 or $1,000. The Senate committee reported it do pass as amended; it was placed on General Order and died when the 2026 legislative session ended on May 14, 2026 without passing.

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 and distributors of AI political media to add disclosures near elections or face fines.

Key provisions

1. 1Would define a deepfake as synthetic media depicting a candidate or political party with intent to tarnish their reputation or deceive, that appears to show a real individual saying or doing something that did not occur
2. 2Would bar creating or originally distributing such a deepfake within 90 days of an election at which the candidate appears on the ballot, when the person has actual knowledge it is a deepfake
3. 3Would exempt media carrying a disclosure that it was manipulated or generated by AI, sized no smaller than the largest other text, shown throughout a video, and spoken at the start and end of audio (and at least every two minutes)
4. 4Would let a depicted candidate seek an injunction or sue for damages, with court costs and reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing party
5. 5Would allow State Election Board fines up to $10,000 (violation within five years of prior convictions), $5,000 (intent to cause violence or bodily harm) or $1,000 otherwise
6. 6Would exempt bona fide news broadcasts and publications that note authenticity questions, paid distributors, broadcasters required by federal law to air candidate messages, and satire or parody
7. 7Not enacted: the proposed effective date was November 1, 2025; reported do pass as amended February 27, 2025 and placed on General Order March 4, 2025

Latest legislative action

Mar 5, 2025. Coauthored by Representative Newton (principal House author)

Sponsors

Roll call votes