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MaineLD 517132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act Regarding Synthetic Media in Campaign Advertising

Sponsored By: Amy Kuhn (Democratic)

Became Law

HUMAN RIGHTSHUMAN RIGHTS - FREE SPEECH

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Big fines for broken ad disclosures

If you pay for a public communication that breaks disclosure rules, the fine can be up to 100% of what you spent. If it breaks the synthetic‑media rule, the fine can be up to 500% of the amount. For yard signs without required info, the maximum fine is $200. If you fix the problem within 10 days after the Ethics Commission notifies you, the commission may choose no fine, except for synthetic‑media violations.

Warning labels on altered campaign ads

Campaign ads that use synthetic audio, video, or images must include this notice: "THIS COMMUNICATION CONTAINS AUDIO, VIDEO AND/OR IMAGES THAT HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED OR ALTERED." The Ethics Commission sets how big the notice is and where it goes. Synthetic media means content about a candidate that likely misleads or gives a different impression than the original; simple clarity edits and satire are excluded. Broadcasters and newspapers are only liable for paid ads if they actually knew the ad used synthetic media; a third‑party claim alone does not count. If violations continue, the Attorney General can sue in Kennebec County Superior Court to force compliance and recover costs and attorney’s fees if the state wins.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 79

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

ACCEPT MAJORITY OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED REPORT

Yes: 20 • No: 14

House vote • 3/10/2026

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 73 • No: 65

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 593

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/19/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/18/2026House

  4. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-837), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. Reports READOn motion by Senator CARNEY of Cumberland the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED. Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 759 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-837) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/12/2026Senate

  6. Reports READ.On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 641(Yeas 73 - Nays 65 - Absent 11 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-837) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-837). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/10/2026House

  7. Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025House

  8. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  9. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 7, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/7/2025House

Bill Text

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