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To force any media/internet creator providing artificial intelligence created videos to have an identifying marker that allows viewers to know that the video is not real.
In one paragraph
West Virginia's HB 4496 (2026 regular session) would have added an Artificial Intelligence Media Disclosure article (W. Va. Code 46A-9) requiring any entity that creates or distributes AI-generated media for public consumption to include a clear and conspicuous disclosure, such as a watermark or on-screen or spoken statement, with video disclosures of at least 3 seconds. Civil penalties would reach $100,000 per day for organizations. It was sent to House Judiciary on January 19, 2026 and died when the session ended March 14, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. It would have required creators and platforms to label AI-generated media, with civil penalties and private lawsuits for violations.
Key provisions
- Covered entities (any person, business, organization, platform or government body that creates, shares, publishes or sends AI-generated media for the public) would have to ensure a clear and conspicuous disclosure (46A-9-3)
- Visual media: watermark or text label; audio: spoken or transcript statement at the start; video: on-screen disclosure for at least 3 seconds at the start plus a persistent watermark
- Platforms would have to preserve disclosures, prohibit removing them without explicit lawful justification, and use automated detection, when feasible, to prompt disclosure
- No disclosure for internal research not distributed publicly, AI-assisted editing that does not change meaning, or private personal use not publicly distributed
- Attorney General enforces; civil penalties up to $100,000 per day per violation for organizations and $1,000 per day for individuals, with up to $100,000 per day more for political deception, identity manipulation or public safety risks; harmed individuals may sue for damages, equitable relief and attorney's fees (46A-9-4)
- No effective date in the text; introduced January 19, 2026 and sent to House Judiciary; died at the end of the 2026 session
Latest legislative action
Jan 19, 2026. To House Judiciary; died when the West Virginia Legislature's 2026 regular session ended March 14, 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 34)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Flanigan | Primary |
| Hanshaw | Primary |
| Hornby | Primary |
| Phillips | Primary |
| Shott | 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