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
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Candidates can seek orders stopping deceptive media
Beginning March 5, 2026, affected candidates can ask a court to stop deceptive synthetic media shared in violation of the disclosure rule. This applies when the media misrepresents a candidate’s appearance, speech, conduct, or surroundings. Courts can order people to stop publishing, communicating, or distributing the media, or grant other nonmonetary relief. This remedy does not establish a payment to the candidate.
Election media violators face new fines
Beginning March 5, 2026, knowing and intentional violations of the synthetic-media election rules carry fines up to $1,000. The maximum rises to $5,000 when the person intends to cause violence or bodily harm. It rises to $10,000 when the violation occurs within five years after one or more earlier violations. When both conditions apply, the maximum is $15,000. These are maximum fines, not automatic amounts.
Election investigations gain powers and penalties
Beginning March 5, 2026, Vermont’s Attorney General and State’s Attorneys gain civil investigation and enforcement powers under the election chapter. They can investigate when there is reason to believe someone is violating or has violated the chapter. Officials can examine relevant records, demand written answers under oath, and require attendance and testimony. People served with an investigative notice must comply unless a Vermont court orders otherwise. Information gathered is generally restricted from disclosure, subject to exceptions, and can be used in enforcement cases. Officials can seek court orders to prevent, correct, or stop violations. Vermont Superior Court can order compliance and use contempt or other remedies when people refuse. People who intentionally obstruct an investigation face fines up to $5,000. This includes removing, hiding, withholding, destroying, damaging, altering, or falsifying covered documents, or hiding information, to avoid compliance. These civil powers do not prevent separate criminal investigations under state or federal law.
Labels required for deceptive election media
Beginning March 5, 2026, people who knowingly share deceptive synthetic media must label it within 90 days before a Vermont election. Synthetic media includes digitally created or changed images, audio, or video, including content made with artificial intelligence. The rule covers realistic-looking media that harms a candidate’s reputation or gives voters materially false information to improperly influence an election. Elections include votes on public questions. The required label reads: “This media has been manipulated or generated by digital technology and depicts speech or conduct that did not occur.” Image and video labels must be easy to read, and video labels must stay visible throughout. Audio labels must be clearly spoken at the beginning and end and accessible to people with disabilities. Recordings longer than two minutes also need labels at intervals no more than two minutes apart. News broadcasts, including online news, are exempt when they clearly acknowledge questions about authenticity. Regular news publications are exempt when they clearly state that the media inaccurately depicts the person’s speech or conduct. Satire, parody, and covered internet and telecommunications services carrying someone else’s content are also exempt. The labels help voters identify false depictions while placing new duties on people who share them.
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.
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 75)Opens in a new window
3/9/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
2/24/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
2/24/2026
House Proposal of Amendment
6/18/2025
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
6/18/2025
As Passed by the Senate
3/21/2025
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/21/2025
As Introduced
1/21/2025
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