# Virginia SB775: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.

Virginia SB775, Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Scott A. Surovell (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-04-02 (Senate sustained Governor's veto) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB775-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB775
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-12-24
- Last action: 2025-04-02, Senate sustained Governor's veto
- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 11 (337 yes, 143 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Elections; political campaign advertisements; synthetic media; penalty. Prohibits electioneering communications containing synthetic media, as those terms are defined in the bill, from being published or broadcast without containing the following conspicuously displayed statement: "This message contains synthetic media that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated and may present conduct or speech that did not occur." The bill creates a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation of such prohibition and, for a willful violation, a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill permits any registered voter who receives an electioneering communication in violation of this requirement to institute an action for preventative relief to prohibit the publication or dissemination of such electioneering communication, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction. This bill is identical to HB 2479.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-02-22 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 22 | 18 |   |
| 2025-02-22 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 71 | 25 |   |
| 2025-02-20 | Senate | House substitute rejected by Senate | fail | 0 | 39 |   |
| 2025-02-20 | Senate | Senate acceded to request Block Vote | pass | 38 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-19 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 72 | 25 |   |
| 2025-02-14 | House | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 15 | 7 |   |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Passed Senate | pass | 23 | 17 |   |
| 2025-02-04 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-03 | Senate | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute | pass | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| 2025-01-28 | Senate | Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute | pass | 8 | 7 |   |

## Actions (52)

- 2025-04-02: Senate sustained Governor's veto (Senate)
- 2025-04-02: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2025-03-25: Vetoed by Governor (Governor)
- 2025-03-11: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025 (Governor)
- 2025-03-11: Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025 (Senate)
- 2025-03-10: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB775) (Senate)
- 2025-03-10: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2025-03-07: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB775ER) (Senate)
- 2025-03-07: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2025-03-07: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2025-02-24: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB775) (Senate)
- 2025-02-22: Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 18-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-22: Conference substitute printed 25108004D-S3 (Senate)
- 2025-02-22: Amended by conference committee
- 2025-02-22: Conference report agreed to by House (71-Y 25-N) (House)
- 2025-02-20: Senate acceded to request Block Vote (38-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 39-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Senators: Surovell, VanValkenburg, Suetterlein (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Delegates: Sickles, Price, Bloxom (House)
- 2025-02-20: Conferees appointed by House (House)
- 2025-02-20: House requested conference committee (House)
- 2025-02-20: House insisted on substitute (House)
- 2025-02-19: Passed House with substitute (72-Y 25-N) (House)
- 2025-02-19: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2025-02-19: Privileges and Elections Substitute agreed to (House)
- 2025-02-19: Read third time (House)
- 2025-02-18: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB775) (Senate)
- 2025-02-18: Read second time (House)
- 2025-02-14: Committee substitute printed 25107386D-H1 (House)
- 2025-02-14: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (15-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2025-02-07: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB775) (Senate)
- 2025-02-07: Read first time (House)
- 2025-02-07: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (House)
- 2025-02-07: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2025-02-04: Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Reading of substitute waived (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Privileges and Elections Substitute rejected (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Read second time (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2025-02-03: Committee substitute printed 25106671D-S2 (Senate)
- 2025-02-03: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (8-Y 5-N 2-A) (Senate)
- 2025-01-30: Rereferred to Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2025-01-29: Committee substitute printed 25105386D--S1 (Senate)
- 2025-01-28: Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (8-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2024-12-24: Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections (Senate)
- 2024-12-24: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101007D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Veto Explanation, 2025-03-24: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1073913.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2025-03-07: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1069288.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1069287.PDF)
- Conference Report, 2025-02-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1067773.HTML)
- Substitute, 2025-02-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1067798.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1067797.PDF)
- Substitute, 2025-02-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052464.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052468.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052467.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052463.PDF)
- Amendment, 2025-02-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1048337.HTML)
- Substitute, 2025-02-03: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1039701.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1038433.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1039700.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1038432.PDF)
- Substitute, 2025-01-29: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1025455.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1025454.PDF)
- Introduced, 2024-12-24: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011871.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011870.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Veto Explanation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1073913.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1069288.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1069287.PDF)
- [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1067773.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1067798.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1067797.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052464.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052468.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052467.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1052463.PDF)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1048337.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1039701.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1038433.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1039700.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1038432.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1025455.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1025454.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011871.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011870.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB775-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).