California AB 2355 (2024) — Political Reform Act: AI in Political Advertisements
California · AB 2355, Stats. 2024 (amending the Political Reform Act of 1974)
A political committee that creates, publishes, or distributes a campaign ad whose images, audio, or video were generated or substantially altered using AI must include a clear disclosure stating that AI was used. The disclosure follows specific formatting rules depending on whether the ad is print, audio, or video. The state campaign-finance regulator can enforce it, with penalties up to $5,000 per violation.
Technical detail
Amends the Political Reform Act of 1974 to define a 'qualified political advertisement' to include one containing AI-generated or substantially-AI-altered media, and requires the committee that creates, publishes, or distributes it to include a specified AI disclosure with medium-specific formatting; the Fair Political Practices Commission may enforce via injunctive relief and other remedies.
Who is protected: California voters and the electorate.
Who must comply: Committees (under the Political Reform Act) that create, publish, or distribute qualified political advertisements using AI-generated or altered media.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2024-09-17 |
| Citation | AB 2355, Stats. 2024 (amending the Political Reform Act of 1974) |
| Enforced by | California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). |
| Private right of action | No — agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Civil/administrative remedies under the Political Reform Act, including injunctive relief; monetary penalties up to $5,000 per violation. |
| Topics | deepfakes · election deepfakes · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Last verified | 2026-06-16 |
| Official source | Bill Text — AB-2355 Political Reform Act: political advertisements: artificial intelligence ↗ |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
- CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass) · In effect
- California Bot Disclosure Act (bots must self-identify in sales/election messaging) · In effect
Related deepfakes rules elsewhere
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- Doe v. X.AI (Grok NCII deepfakes class action) · In effect
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- NY AG · In effect
- MI SOS Deepfake Election Policy · In effect
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