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The Texas House of Representatives approved Wednesday’s bill that requires disclosure to be included in political ads if images, audio or video recordings used are significantly changed.
Former House Speaker Dade Phelan, who endured a barrage of political attacks last year during his reelection and speaker campaign, wrote HB 366 to enable him to manipulate materials used in AD, as using generator artificial intelligence makes it easier to manipulate media that can misuse candidates’ actions or speeches.
“This is the beginning of a new era of ethics where voters need to know what is and what isn’t,” a Beaumont Republican said in the House. “This AI technology gets better every day. It’s cheaper and becomes the norm every day.”
The bill would require disclosure by an office holder, candidate, or political committee who used media changed in the ads and spent more than $100 on political ads. Texas ethics is left to determine what disclosure looks like, including fonts, sizes, and colors. Violators will be charged with Class A misdemeanor.
The bill faced fierce opposition from hard-line conservatives who say it polices speeches and say the nation could allow people to jail over stupid political memes.
“We have known voters and already have a platform where people can talk,” said R-Decatur Rep. Andy Hopper. “It’s not the government’s role to sit there and be in the nanny state police that decides.”
The bill was handed over from the House of Representatives on a 102-40 vote. I’m heading to the Senate now.
Phelan has revised the bill to prevent individuals from being punished for changing the superficial quality of images and videos, including brightness, contrast and color. This Act excludes businesses, radio or television broadcasting stations, commercial sign owners, computer services and internet providers from liability.
“This is no different to what we do with political ads right now,” Phelan said on the floor of his home on Wednesday. “When you enter this field of political advertising, you have to put “Political advertising will be paid.” This is a good idea to disclose that you are using modified media. ”
The law is one of Phelan’s multiple ethics bills related to political ads after his district endured last year’s major bruise campaign, filled with mailers and ads that made false statements about him and his political records.
Phelan, at one point, was so confused about how the ads were real and fake, that when his main opponent received the support of President Donald Trump, who actually occurred, he forced voters to tell him he didn’t believe it was true.
“Frankly, if my voters don’t say my opponent was supported by Donald Trump, that’s a very valuable support in our main politics – when they don’t even believe it, it’s pretty eye opening,” he said.
It is unclear whether the bill has enough support to pass through the upper chamber.
In March, the Senate unanimously passed a similar bill related to the use of deep fake videos to influence elections sponsored by Dallas Senator Nathan Johnson and Brenham Senator Royce Kolhorst. The bill has been referred to the House Election Committee, but no hearings are scheduled.
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