TX SB 751 (2019, first state election deepfake law)
Texas SB 751 — Election Deepfake Criminal Statute (FIRST IN NATION)
TX · Tex. Elec. Code § 255.004 (as amended by SB 751, 86th Leg. R.S. 2019)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- September 1, 2019
- Applies to
- Creators and distributors of election deepfakes in Texas
- Enforced by
- Texas county and district attorneys
Texas SB 751 (signed June 14, 2019) was the first U.S. state law making it a crime to create or distribute election deepfakes. Criminalizes creating/publishing/distributing a deepfake video with intent to injure a candidate or influence an election within 30 days of an election; Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail and $4,000 fine). Still in effect 2026.
Who is protected: Texas voters; candidates for state office
Legal detail
Tex. Elec. Code § 255.004(d)-(e) (added by SB 751, 86th Leg., 2019) — criminalizes creating a 'deep fake video' (video using generative AI to depict a real person engaging in conduct that did not occur) with intent to (1) injure a candidate or (2) influence the result of an election, when published within 30 days of an election. Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail + $4,000 fine). Applies only to state-level (not federal) races. Remains in effect as of June 2026; not yet directly subjected to a First Amendment challenge as of this writing.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | TX |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | June 14, 2019 |
| Citation | Tex. Elec. Code § 255.004 (as amended by SB 751, 86th Leg. R.S. 2019) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Class A misdemeanor — up to 1 year jail and $4,000 fine |
| Topics | deepfakes · election deepfakes |
| Statute | SB 751 — Texas Legislature Online |
More AI rules in TX
- Texas v. Google · In effect
- Texas v. Allstate / Arity · In effect
- Texas v. Pieces Technologies · In effect
- Texas CUBI (2009) · In effect
- Texas v. Google ($1.375B) · 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) · Blocked / in litigation
- xAI v. Harwood (Grok NCII Counter-Suit 2026) · Blocked / in litigation
- Arizona HB 2133 deepfake sexual content — vetoed 2026 · Vetoed
- Arizona HB 2678 — AI-generated CSAM criminalized · In effect
- MN HF 1606 AI Nudification Ban (2026) · In effect
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