HB982Introduced in the House of Delegates
Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
Introduced by Thomas Garrett, District 56
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
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 a Class 1 misdemeanor for a willful violation. 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.
Where it stands
Left in Committee Privileges and Elections
February 18, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of DelegatesStage: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 1-N) · February 3, 2026
7
Yes
1
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
8 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Rozia Henson | 19 | Yes |
| J.J. Singh | 26 | Yes |
| Joshua Cole | 28 | Yes |
| Katrina Callsen | 54 | Yes |
| Phillip Scott | 63 | Yes |
| Destiny LeVere Bolling | 80 | Yes |
| Otto Wachsmann | 83 | No |
| Karen Carnegie | 89 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104210D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB982)
Assigned HPE sub: Campaigns and Candidates
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 1-N)
Left in Committee Privileges and Elections
Verify the information
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