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VA HB868: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.

In Committee Virginia · 2026 session

Last verified Oct 11, 2026 · official bill text

HB868 · where it stands

1 of 5 steps complete
  1. Introduced In committee
  2. Passed first chamber
  3. Passed both chambers
  4. Enacted
  5. Effective
What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Virginia's HB 868 (2026 Regular Session) would bar electioneering communications containing synthetic media from being published or broadcast without a conspicuous statement that the message contains synthetic media that may present conduct or speech that did not occur. A violation would carry a civil penalty up to $25,000 and a willful violation a Class 1 misdemeanor. Continued to 2027 in committee on February 6, 2026.

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

What it means for business

Not law. If enacted, campaigns, advertisers and broadcasters distributing election ads with synthetic media would have to include the disclosure or face civil and criminal penalties.

Key provisions

  1. Electioneering communications containing synthetic media could not be published or broadcast without the required conspicuous disclosure statement
  2. Required statement: "This message contains synthetic media that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated and may present conduct or speech that did not occur."
  3. Civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation of the disclosure requirement
  4. Willful violation would be a Class 1 misdemeanor
  5. Any registered voter who receives a non-compliant communication could sue for preventative relief, including a temporary or permanent injunction
  6. Subcommittee recommended reporting (6-Y 2-N) on February 3, 2026; continued to 2027 in House Privileges and Elections on February 6, 2026

Latest legislative action

Feb 6, 2026. Continued to 2027 in Privileges and Elections (Voice Vote)

Sponsors (showing 5 of 12)

NameRole
D Primary
Primary
Primary
D Primary
Primary

Roll call votes

Subcommittee recommends reporting Feb 3, 2026

6 yea2 nayPassed

Related and companion bills

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI in Political Advertising

Affected industries

MediaGovernment

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

Related AI laws in Virginia

All Virginia bills →
SB141 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. HB982 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. HB2479 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. SB775 Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. SB1736 Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another; penalty. HB2678 Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another; penalty.

Same topic in other states

Indiana HB1133 Use of digitally altered media in elections Idaho H0664 ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS – Freedom From AI-Rigged (FAIR) Elections Act: rel Texas SB751 Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for fabricating a deceptive video Rhode Island H5872 Relating to Elections -- Deceptive and Fraudulent Synthetic Media in Election Co California AB686 Elections: deceptive audio or visual media. New York S9678 Relates to requiring certain notice and disclosure regarding materially deceptiv