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Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio regulates AI-generated deceptive media in elections and sets disclosure rules
Last action · September 2, 2026: IntroducedSponsor: James M. Hoops
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What This Bill Would Do
Ohio House Bill 1000 prohibits knowingly creating and disseminating deceptive AI-generated synthetic media without specific disclaimers within 90 days of an election when intended to affect election results. The measure establishes complaint procedures through the secretary of state and the Ohio election integrity commission, and sets criminal penalties ranging from a first-degree misdemeanor to a fifth-degree felony for repeat offenses causing material harm.
Candidates and political actors face new restrictions and potential criminal penalties for unlabelled deepfakes during the pre-election window, while candidates who suffer material harm gain specific standing to file complaints.
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.
Candidates for public office
Candidates are subject to new restrictions regarding AI-generated media about themselves or opponents, and gain standing to file complaints for material harm.
Ohio election integrity commission
The commission is tasked with handling matters, publishing decisions and advisory opinions, and hearing referred election complaints.
Voters
Voters receive mandatory disclosures on artificial intelligence-manipulated election media disseminated near election day.
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
What is considered deceptive synthetic media under this bill?
When do the disclosure requirements apply during an election cycle?
Who can file a complaint regarding deceptive synthetic media?
What are the penalties for violating the synthetic media provisions?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
1 action- Sep 2, 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.
Introduction of AI Disclaimers in Ohio Elections
The bill creates a formal statutory framework requiring mandatory artificial intelligence disclaimers on digital election media during the final ninety days of a campaign.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz75Current news / social attention level
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