Panel holds bill that would require AI disclosure on printed political ads
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Summary
Representative Dominguez presented HB 504 to require disclosure for printed political ads substantially produced by AI; committee members asked whether templates and back-end AI would be captured and whether intent to mislead should be required. The sponsor agreed to continue work and the committee voted to hold the bill.
Representative Dominguez told the committee HB 504 responds to cases where AI-generated visual materials produced highly similar branding across campaigns, potentially confusing voters. The draft adds language (lines 70–72) requiring printed political advertisements that include visual context generated by AI to be labeled.
Members questioned where to draw the line between templates or filters that incorporate AI on the back end and material that is 'substantially produced' by AI. Representative Fia Fia said the definition in code may be broad and could capture widely used tools; Representative Cutler asked about responsibility when a designer fails to disclose AI use.
Dominguez said the aim is transparency and to avoid misleading voters, not to ban AI; she noted some services already indicate AI-generated assets. Public commenter Seth Stewart argued generative AI is a boon for grassroots candidates and that mandatory disclosure could impose costs or stigma; he urged the committee to oppose the bill.
Representative Romero moved to hold HB 504 so the sponsor could work on clarifying language with colleagues; the committee approved the hold by voice vote. The bill will return for further drafting.
