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VA SB141: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.

Dead/Failed Virginia · 2026 session

Last verified Oct 11, 2026 · official bill text

SB141 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Mar 14, 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 SB 141 (2026 Regular Session) would have required electioneering communications with synthetic media to carry a conspicuous statement, with a civil penalty up to $25,000 and a Class 1 misdemeanor for willful violations. It passed the Senate 34-4; the House substituted different text, and the bill failed in conference on March 14, 2026.

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

What it means for business

None: the bill died and never became law. It would have required political advertisers to label synthetic media in electioneering communications.

Key provisions

  1. As passed by the Senate, electioneering communications containing synthetic media could not be published or broadcast without a statement that the message contains synthetic media that has been altered or artificially generated
  2. Civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation, and a Class 1 misdemeanor for a willful violation
  3. Any registered voter receiving a non-compliant communication could seek preventative relief, including an injunction
  4. The House substitute (Mar. 9, 2026), passed by the House 62-Y 34-N, replaced this with Code 8.01-46.3, letting a candidate suing for defamation over media disseminated within 30 days of the election move for an injunction
  5. Status: Senate rejected the House substitute 0-40; conferees appointed; failed to pass from conference March 14, 2026

Latest legislative action

Mar 14, 2026. Failed to Pass from conference

Sponsors (showing 5 of 10)

NameRole
Primary
Primary
Primary
R Primary
D Primary

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 7)

H VOTE: Mar 12, 2026

62 yea34 nay3 otherPassed

Accede Conference Committee R Mar 12, 2026

40 yea0 nayPassed

Concur in Amendments: House Substitute R Mar 12, 2026

0 yea40 nay

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 →
HB868 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