Elections: deceptive media in advertisements.

Assembly Members Pellerin and Berman's election integrity legislation expands California's protections against deceptive campaign media by establishing new disclosure requirements for AI-generated content and strengthening existing regulations on manipulated political advertisements.

The bill requires election communications containing AI-generated or substantially altered content to include clear disclaimers stating the media has been manipulated. For visual media, these disclosures must appear in contrasting colors and specified minimum font sizes based on the format - from 14-point type for mailers to at least 4% of display height for video content. Audio communications must include verbal disclaimers at the beginning, end, and every two minutes for longer content.

The measure applies to communications about candidates for federal, state, or local office in California within 120 days of an election, as well as content depicting election officials or voting equipment from 120 days before through 60 days after an election. While maintaining exemptions for clearly labeled news coverage and satire, the bill narrows legal standing to individuals depicted in deceptive content rather than any recipient. Broadcasting stations and internet platforms remain protected from liability unless they created the content themselves.

The legislation preserves existing prohibitions on knowingly distributing materially deceptive election content likely to harm a candidate's reputation or undermine election confidence. However, it adds specific technical standards for disclaimers and expands coverage to address emerging concerns about AI-generated deepfakes in campaign communications.