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Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio House Bill 813 mandates AI watermarks and human-emulation disclosures
Last action · May 13, 2026: Referred to Technology and InnovationSponsors: Christine Cockley and 9 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Ohio House Bill 813 requires s to embed distinctive watermarks in s and demands explicit disclosure when AI systems emulate human persons. Businesses and individuals distributing unmarked AI content face civil penalties ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 per violation, with exceptions granted for personal, noncommercial use.
Distributors of AI-generated content face new compliance requirements, potential civil lawsuits from aggrieved individuals, and penalties between $2,500 and $10,000 per instance if they distribute unmarked materials or fail to disclose when AI emulates a human.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
businesses and organizations distributing AI-generated products
Must ensure all distributed public or commercial AI-content includes distinctive watermarks and human-emulation disclosures or face civil penalties and lawsuits.
consumers interacting with AI systems
Gain the right to receive clear disclosures when interacting with AI emulating humans and can submit complaints or file civil actions for damages.
attorney general
Empowered to investigate complaints, issue notices of violation, initiate civil actions for injunctive relief and penalties, and collect funds.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are personal AI creations subject to the watermarking requirement?
What penalties can be imposed for failing to include an AI watermark?
How can a business avoid a civil action from the attorney general after receiving a violation notice?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- May 13, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to Technology and Innovation
- Apr 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of State-Level AI Content Regulation
The bill creates statutory liability and enforcement mechanisms through the attorney general specifically targeting unmarked synthetic media and undisclosed human emulation.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz65Current news / social attention level
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