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Bill

HR 9922

AI Transparency in Elections Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Julie Johnson and 4 co-sponsors

Requiring clear, conspicuous AI-generated media disclosures in political ads across all media to inform voters of AI use and enforce penalties for noncompliance.

Introduced in House
2
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9922

Overview

  • Bill: AI Transparency in Elections Act of 2026 (HR 9922)
  • Purpose: Require clear, mandatory disclosures for political communications that are substantially generated by artificial intelligence (AI), with a framework for definitions, enforcement, regulatory guidance, and periodic reporting.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Committee on House Administration (July 23, 2026). Primary sponsors include a bipartisan group with several co-sponsors.

Main purpose and intent

  • To ensure voters are aware when AI is used to generate or materially alter images, audio, or video in political communications that advocate for or against a candidate, or solicit contributions.
  • Establishes a standardized disclaimer regime for AI-generated or substantially AI-generated content in political advertisements across traditional and digital media.
  • Creates enforcement and penalty mechanisms to deter noncompliance and provides regulatory implementation guidance.

Key provisions and changes

Definition and scope (Section 2(a))

  • Introduces a new subsection (318(e)) to the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) defining:
    • Covered communications: General public political advertising across broadcasting, print, outdoor, mailing, telephone banking, internet, and other media that:
    • Express advocacy for/against a candidate, or
    • Refers to a candidate during a defined campaign window (120 days before primary/c caucus through general election), or
    • Solicits contributions for a candidate or political committee.
    • Generative AI: Technology using machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, etc., to generate or substantially alter media.
    • Substantially generated by AI: Media created or materially altered by generative AI, with an exception for minor alterations that do not create a fundamentally different understanding.

Disclosure requirements (Section 2(a)(2)-(3))

  • When a disbursement funds a covered communication that contains AI-substantially generated media, the communication must include a clear and conspicuous statement that AI was used to create or materially alter the content.
  • Standards for “clear and conspicuous” disclosures:
    • Images: Statement visible at least as large as the main text, adheres to existing accessibility rules, stating AI creation/alteration, permanently affixed.
    • Audio: Statement spoken clearly at the beginning or end for at least 4 seconds, including the attribution: “ used artificial intelligence to generate the contents of this communication.”
    • Video (with audio): Requires both a written disclosure that meets image requirements and an audible disclosure meeting the audio requirements throughout the video.

Enforcement and penalties (Section 2(b))

  • Adds penalties for violations of the new disclaimer requirements, on top of existing qualified disclosure penalties:
    • Establishes a penalty schedule for violations of qualified disclaimer requirements, with consideration of prior violations and distribution breadth; cap set at $50,000 per covered communication.
    • Clarifies that failure to respond after notice constitutes admission of the factual allegations.
    • Aligns enforcement references to apply to violations occurring after enactment date.
  • Adjusts timelines for judicial review related to complaints alleging FECA section 318(e) violations.

Regulation and implementation (Section 2(c)-(d))

  • The Federal Election Commission (FEC), within 90 days of enactment, must issue regulations (in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and Technology - NIST) that:

    • Define criteria for determining whether a communication contains AI-generated/substantially AI-generated media.
    • Establish content requirements for the mandated statements.

  • Effective date: Provisions apply to communications made after enactment, even if regulations have not yet been promulgated.

Reporting and oversight (Section 3)

  • Requires the FEC to report to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and the House Administration Committee:
    • Within 2 years of enactment, and biannually thereafter.
    • Assess compliance and enforcement of the AI disclaimer requirements, and provide recommendations for potential modifications.

Severability (Section 4)

  • If any provision is held unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act remains in effect.

Who and what is affected

  • Political advertisers and entities making disbursements to fund covered communications that use AI-generated or substantially AI-generated media.
  • Media channels and platforms used for political advertising (broadcast, print, outdoor, digital, etc.).
  • The FEC and NIST for regulatory development and enforcement.
  • The general public and voters, by ensuring disclosure of AI-assisted political content.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Effective date: Provisions apply to communications after enactment.
  • Regulatory deadline: FEC must issue implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment.
  • Reporting timeline: Biennial, starting two years after enactment.
  • Penalty framework: New penalties tied to AI-disclaimer violations, with a cap of $50,000 per covered communication.

Potential implications

  • Increased transparency for AI-generated political content, helping voters identify manipulated or AI-produced messaging.
  • Heightened compliance and reporting requirements for advertisers and campaigns.
  • Potential impact on digital platforms and ad procurement practices due to stricter labeling requirements.
  • Resource implications for FEC and its enforcement capabilities, including coordination with NIST for technical standards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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