BEAUMONT, Texas — The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at enhancing transparency in political advertising. This legislation mandates that political ads disclose whether any image, audio, or video content has been significantly altered.
Authored by former House Speaker Dade Phelan, who faced numerous political attacks during his reelection, HB 366 aims to inform voters about manipulated media. With the rise of generative artificial intelligence, the risk of misrepresentation of candidates’ actions or speech is increasing.
Phelan emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “This is the beginning of a new era in ethics where voters need to distinguish between reality and fabrication.” He noted that advancements in AI technology are making media manipulation increasingly easy and commonplace.
The bill requires any officeholder, candidate, or political committee spending over $100 on political advertising to disclose the use of altered media. The Texas Ethics Commission will specify the format for these disclosures, including font and color. Violators could face a Class A misdemeanor.
Despite its passage, the bill has encountered strong opposition from conservative Republicans who argue it infringes on free speech. Rep. Andy Hopper stated, “It is not the role of government to be a nanny state policing speech in this manner.”
Having passed the House with a vote of 102-40, the bill is now set to move to the Senate. Phelan has amended the bill to clarify that minor alterations—like adjustments to brightness or contrast—will not incur penalties. Additionally, the legislation protects certain entities, such as broadcasters and internet providers, from liability.
Phelan previously experienced confusion among voters regarding the veracity of political ads, leading to disbelief in valid endorsements, such as Donald Trump’s endorsement of his primary opponent. This situation illustrates the urgent need for clearer standards in political advertising.
