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AI Summary
This bill prohibits political advertisements containing synthetic media without a disclosure statement and allows registered voters to seek injunctions for violations.
Business Impact
If you sponsor political advertisements in Virginia, you must disclose the use of synthetic media or face penalties up to $25,000.
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
Virginia's HB982 aims to regulate the use of synthetic media in political campaign advertisements. It mandates a clear disclosure statement for such media, establishes penalties for non-compliance, an
Key Provisions
- Prohibits electioneering communications with synthetic media without a disclosure statement.
- Imposes a civil penalty up to $25,000 for violations.
- Classifies willful violations as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Allows registered voters to seek injunctions against non-compliant communications.
- Defines synthetic media in detail, focusing on altered or artificially generated content.
- Requires conspicuous disclosure of synthetic media in political advertisements.
Latest Legislative Action
Left in Committee Privileges and Elections
Bill Sponsors (showing 5 of 12)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Glenn R. Davis | Primary |
| Kathy K.L. Tran D | Primary |
| Michael J. Webert | Primary |
| Phillip A. Scott | Primary |
| Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. | Primary |
Roll Call Votes
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table ·
Feb 3, 2026
7 Yea
1 Nay
Passed ✓
Compliance Checklist
Include a conspicuous disclosure statement in political advertisements containing synthetic media.
Who: Political committees and sponsors of electioneering communications.
Penalty: Up to $25,000 for violations.
Who: Political committees and sponsors of electioneering communications.
Penalty: Up to $25,000 for violations.
Ensure all electioneering communications comply with the synthetic media regulations.
Who: All sponsors of political advertisements.
Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor for willful violations.
Who: All sponsors of political advertisements.
Penalty: Class 1 misdemeanor for willful violations.
Related & Companion Bills
Virginia HB868 — Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
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Virginia SB775 — Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
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Virginia HB2479 — Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
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Virginia SB141 — Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
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Full Legal Analysis
HB982 introduces regulations concerning the use of synthetic media in political campaign advertisements in Virginia. It prohibits any electioneering communication that contains synthetic media unless
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View HB982 on official legislature website →
Related Topics
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