Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 118th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

D EspaillatSponsor

9 cosponsors · 9 D

0 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

This bill prohibits the distribution of certain paid-for political communications that contain materially deceptive audio that is generated by artificial intelligence which impersonates a candidate's voice. It also establishes criminal penalties for related violations.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jul 13, 2023

Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act

The bill generally prohibits individuals, political committees, and other entities from distributing such a communication if the communication (1) contains materially deceptive audio that is generated by artificial intelligence which impersonates a candidate’s voice, (2) is distributed with actual malice, (3) is intended to injure the candidate’s reputation or to deceive a voter into voting against the candidate, and (4) is distributed within 60 or 90 days of an election (depending on the type of election). This prohibition does not apply to certain entities, such as radio or television broadcasting stations that broadcast the deceptive audio as part of a bona fide newscast.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of materially deceptive audio that is generated by artificial intelligence which impersonates a candidate's voice. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to two years in prison, or both.

The bill requires the Federal Election Commission to (1) promulgate regulations related to this bill, and (2) report to Congress on matters relating to compliance with and enforcement of this bill and recommendations to ensure compliance with this bill.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Candidate Voice Fraud Prohibition Act

Latest action (Jul 13, 2023): Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Policy area: Government Operations and Politics · Origin: House · Introduced: Jul 13, 2023

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.