Committee adopts amendments to AI and electioneering disclosure bill, reports HB 459 with changes

Senator Miller guided committee consideration of HB 459, a measure requiring disclosure when campaign materials are generated by artificial intelligence within a window before an election. Legal adviser Steven Gillette and ethics administrator David Bordelon walked members through an amendment set that clarifies what qualifies as an electioneering communication, describes the form of disclosure and adds an intent requirement before enhanced penalties apply.

Gillette told senators the bill “just requires disclosure of AI. It does not prohibit anything. You can still use AI; you just need to disclose it under certain circumstances,” and outlined changes to align the language with an existing deep-fake statute and campaign-finance rules. Bordelon said some definitions affect campaign finance reporting and asked for follow-up so the ethics office can evaluate unintended consequences; Senator Miller moved and the committee adopted amendment set 41‑44 and reported HB 459 with amendments for additional work between the author and the ethics office before floor action.