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VermontS.232025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET

An act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections

Sponsored By: Ruth E Hardy (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Labels required on synthetic election media

The law requires a clear label on deceptive synthetic media in the 90 days before a Vermont election. The label must say: "This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur." For images and video, the text must be easy to read, on screen for the whole video, and accessible to people with disabilities. For audio, the disclosure must be spoken at the start and end, and again every two minutes if longer than two minutes, clearly and accessibly. The rule does not cover bona fide news that clearly notes authenticity concerns, paid broadcasts, or ads that federal law requires stations to air for legally qualified candidates. It also does not cover regular news publications that say the media is not accurate, satire or parody, or telecom and online service providers hosting others’ content.

Fines for deceptive synthetic election media

If someone knowingly and intentionally breaks the synthetic media rule, they can be fined up to $1,000. The fine can be up to $5,000 if they intended to cause violence or bodily harm. It can be up to $10,000 if they violated the law within five years after a prior violation. It can be up to $15,000 if both intent to cause violence and a prior violation within five years apply. A political candidate misrepresented by deceptive synthetic media can ask a court to stop further publication or distribution.

Stronger tools to enforce synthetic media rules

The Attorney General or a State’s Attorney can bring lawsuits and seek court orders to stop violations. They can demand records, sworn answers, and testimony from people with knowledge, with notices served in person or by certified mail. Information produced is kept confidential unless you consent or a court orders release, but it can be used to enforce the law, and officials may explain investigation results. Intentionally hiding or destroying documents to avoid an investigation can bring a fine of up to $5,000. If someone refuses to comply, prosecutors can ask a Superior Court to order compliance, and disobeying the order can be punished as contempt. Anyone harmed by an investigation can ask Superior Court for relief, and these cases get docket priority except for more important matters.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ruth E Hardy

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alison Clarkson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Anne E Watson

    Democrat/Progressive • Senate

  • Brian P Collamore

    Republican • Senate

  • Rebecca "Becca" E White

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert W Norris

    Republican • Senate

  • Tanya C Vyhovsky

    Democrat/Progressive • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on March 5, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate

  2. Delivered to Governor on February 27, 2026

    2/27/2026Senate

  3. Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted

    2/19/2026House

  4. As passed by Senate and House

    2/18/2026Senate

  5. Committee of Conference report adopted

    2/18/2026Senate

  6. Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator Collamore for Committee, text

    2/18/2026Senate

  7. Committee of Conference report

    2/18/2026Senate

  8. Committee of Conference report

    2/17/2026Senate

  9. Entered on Notice Calendar

    2/17/2026Senate

  10. House message: House adopted Conference Committee report

    2/13/2026Senate

  11. Committee of Conference report adopted (Senate bill)

    2/11/2026House

  12. Action Calendar: Report of Committee of Conference

    2/11/2026House

  13. Notice Calendar: Report of Committee of Conference

    2/10/2026House

  14. Senate Message: Committee of Conference members appointed

    1/30/2026House

  15. Committee of Conference appointed: Senators Collamore, Vyhovsky, and Morley

    1/30/2026Senate

  16. House message: House refused to concur in Senate proposal of amendment & requested Conference Committee; House Conference Committee members appointed

    1/30/2026Senate

  17. Speaker appointed Reps. Birong of Vergennes, Hango of Berkshire, and Waters Evans of Charlotte as members of the Committee of Conference on the part of the House

    1/28/2026House

  18. Rep. Birong of Vergennes moved the House refuse to concur and asked for a Committee of Conference

    1/28/2026House

  19. Action Calendar: Action postponed until Jan. 28, 2026

    1/28/2026House

  20. Rep. Birong of Vergennes moved to postpone action until Jan. 28, 2026, which was agreed to

    1/27/2026House

  21. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of Amendment

    1/27/2026House

  22. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of Amendment

    1/23/2026House

  23. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment thereto

    1/22/2026House

  24. House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment by the Committtee on Government Operationsas amended

    1/21/2026Senate

  25. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations amended as moved by Senator(s) Baruth

    1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 75)

    3/9/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    6/18/2025

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    6/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/21/2025

    PDF

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