A Virginia bill targeting artificial intelligence-generated content in political advertising is advancing through the General Assembly with rare bipartisan support.

Senate Bill 141, introduced by State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, who has served since 2024, requires clear disclaimers on AI-generated or heavily manipulated digital content used in electioneering communications. The goal is to prevent voters from being misled about what a candidate or individual actually said or did.

The bill targets what has become commonly known as “deepfakes” or “AI slop” — images, video, audio, and text generated or significantly altered by artificial intelligence to misrepresent a real or fictional event involving an individual. (RELATED: One and Done: Democrats’ Virginia Power Play Would Leave GOP With Single Seat)

Under the bill, an electioneering communication is defined as any message appearing in print, on television, radio, or an online platform that identifies a candidate, is distributed within 60 days of an election, and involves any expenditure of money or services. Communications paid for by federal candidates in connection with federal elections are exempt, as are candidate debates and their promotions.

Violators face a civil penalty of up to $25,000 — a cap that holds even for repeated broadcasts of the same unlawful communication. Willful violations also carry a Class 1 misdemeanor charge.

Satire and parody are explicitly exempt under First Amendment protections, meaning the vast majority of political memes would not fall under the bill’s reach.

SB 141 passed the Virginia Senate 34-4 in February and is currently moving through the House of Delegates. (RELATED: Illegal Immigrant with Long Criminal History Charged in Fatal Fairfax County Bus Stop Stabbing)