In one paragraph
Wisconsin's AB 855 (2025-26) would have created s. 942.085 making it a Class A misdemeanor to create and post, publish, distribute or exhibit a "synthetic digital representation" of an individual with intent to coerce, harass or intimidate, and a Class I felony to do so with intent to defraud, coerce or intimidate for monetary gain. Introduced January 16, 2026, it failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on March 23, 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 made creating and distributing deceptive synthetic media of a person with specified intent a crime, with exceptions for platforms and labeled content.
Key provisions
- A synthetic digital representation is a visual or audio representation that was generated or altered by technological means, uses an individual's recognizable personal characteristic, would appear authentic to a reasonable observer, and was made without the individual's consent
- Class A misdemeanor: creating and posting, publishing, distributing or exhibiting one with intent to coerce, harass or intimidate any individual (per the LRB analysis, a fine of up to $10,000 or up to nine months in jail, or both)
- Class I felony: doing so with intent to defraud, coerce or intimidate for monetary gain (per the LRB analysis, a fine of up to $10,000 or up to three years and six months, or both)
- Exceptions would include technology providers and developers, interactive computer service and telecommunications providers for third-party content, newsworthy or public-importance content, law enforcement officers on duty, and content labeled 'This content generated by AI' as the text specifies
- Would add s. 942.085 to the racketeering activity list (s. 946.82 (4)) and to s. 995.50 (2) (am) 4.
- Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 March 23, 2026
Latest legislative action
Mar 23, 2026. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
Sponsors (showing 5 of 59)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Andraca | Primary |
| Arney | Primary |
| Ballweg | Primary |
| Billings | Primary |
| Born | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
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