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VA HB982: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.

Dead/Failed Virginia · 2026 session

Last verified Oct 11, 2026 · official bill text

HB982 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Feb 18, 2026.

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 982 (2026 Regular Session) would have barred electioneering communications containing synthetic media from being published or broadcast without a conspicuous statement that the message may present conduct or speech that did not occur, with a civil penalty up to $25,000, a Class 1 misdemeanor for willful violations, and voter injunction suits. Left in committee on February 18, 2026; it failed.

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

What it means for business

None: the bill died without passing and never became law. Campaigns and advertisers face no new synthetic-media disclosure duty from it.

Key provisions

  1. Electioneering communications containing synthetic media could not be published or broadcast without a conspicuous disclosure statement
  2. Civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation
  3. Willful violation would have been a Class 1 misdemeanor
  4. Any registered voter who receives a non-compliant communication could have sued for preventative relief, including an injunction
  5. Subcommittee recommended laying the bill on the table (7-Y 1-N) on February 3, 2026
  6. Left in House Privileges and Elections Committee on February 18, 2026; status Failed

Latest legislative action

Feb 18, 2026. Left in Committee Privileges and Elections

Sponsors (showing 5 of 12)

NameRole
Primary
D Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary

Roll call votes

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table Feb 3, 2026

7 yea1 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. HB868 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