SB141Introduced in the Senate
Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
Introduced by Saddam Salim, District 37
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
Failed to Pass from conference
March 14, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 12, 2026
40
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate 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 senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100611D
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB141)
Reported from Privileges and Elections with substitute (9-Y 6-N)
House committee offered
Senate committee offered
Committee substitute printed 26107736D-S1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB141)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
Read third time and passed Senate (34-Y 4-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
Referred from Privileges and Elections and referred to Communications, Technology and Innovation and rereferred to Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB141)
House committee offered
Reported from Communications, Technology and Innovation with substitute (15-Y 6-N)
Committee substitute printed 26109370D-H1
Read second time
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB141)
Read third time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Passed House with substitute (62-Y 34-N 0-A)
House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
House insisted on substitute
House requested conference committee
Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Salim, Perry, French
Conferees appointed by House
House Conferees: Hayes, Maldonado, Pence
No further action taken
Failed to Pass from conference
Failed to Pass from conference
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