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MontanaSB 2569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Revise election laws regarding disclosure requirements for the use of AI in elections

Sponsored By: Janet Ellis (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsCommunicationsCrimesInformation TechnologyLiability

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fast enforcement and penalties for deepfakes

A candidate or political party can bring a fast court case to stop a violation. They must prove it by clear and convincing evidence, and they do not need to show money harm to get an order. Courts can award costs and reasonable attorney fees, actual damages if proved, and up to $10,000 in punitive damages. Complaints may also be filed with the Commissioner of Political Practices. A first sufficiency finding may bring civil penalties; a second leads to a misdemeanor referral with up to a $500 fine or up to 6 months in jail; a third leads to a felony referral with up to a $5,000 fine or up to 2 years in state prison. Criminal cases do not block civil or administrative actions.

New rules for AI election ads

The law defines AI-generated content and deepfakes used in election ads. It bans paying for, making, or sharing deepfake election messages within 60 days after voting starts for that election. You can share such content only with a clear notice that AI edited it and that it falsely looks real. The notice must be bold 12-point in print; on video, readable the whole time and at least 4% of screen height; online, visible without clicking; and on audio, at least 8 seconds at the start or end. News coverage that clearly says AI may be used, satire or parody with a disclaimer, and platforms or online services hosting third-party content are excepted when they follow these notice rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Janet Ellis

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 376 • No: 114

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 45 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 80 • No: 17

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 79 • No: 19

House vote • 4/8/2025

AMD-SB0025.003.002 Schubert DO PASS

Yes: 46 • No: 52

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 38 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 38 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/22/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/16/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/15/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading House Amendments

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/9/2025House

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025House

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/8/2025House

  13. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    4/8/2025House

  14. Committee Report

    4/3/2025House

  15. Committee Executive Action

    4/3/2025House

  16. Hearing

    3/18/2025House

  17. 1st Reading

    3/17/2025House

  18. Referred to Committee

    3/17/2025House

  19. Transmitted to House

    3/7/2025Senate

  20. 3rd Reading

    3/6/2025Senate

  21. 2nd Reading

    3/6/2025Senate

  22. Committee Report

    3/1/2025Senate

  23. Committee Executive Action

    2/28/2025Senate

  24. Hearing

    1/18/2025Senate

  25. Referred to Committee

    1/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/3/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/5/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/10/2024

    PDF

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