HB 639: ELECTIONS/CAMPAIGNS: Requires disclosure of the use of artificial intelligence in telephone campaign communications - Louisiana

HB639 Original → HB639 Act 559 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Louisiana election laws to require clear disclosures when artificial intelligence is used to create telephone campaign calls featuring public figures. It also expands the Board of Ethics' authority to enforce these rules and clarifies definitions for terms like 'public figure' and 'artificial intelligence'.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from general political material disclosures to specifically target AI-generated telephone calls, while also broadening the Board of Ethics' jurisdiction to include additional statutes related to ethics and elections.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement that any telephone call using AI to mimic a public figure must include a clear disclosure at the beginning stating it was created with artificial intelligence.

Removed previous requirements regarding third-party entity disclosures in political announcements, focusing the law instead on AI-specific transparency.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'public figure' to include people who perform services at discrete events like speeches or public appearances for compensation, in addition to famous people or those involved in public controversies.

Added a new definition for 'message testing' to clarify that research studies on how individuals react to candidate information are covered under the disclosure rules.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section granting the Board of Ethics specific authority to administer and enforce the new AI telephone disclosure provisions.

Increased the civil penalty for violating the new AI disclosure rules to $2,500 for a first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses.

HB639 Enrolled → HB639 Original · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was rewritten from an enrolled version to an original draft, significantly expanding its scope to cover all political materials and communications, not just telephone calls. It added new definitions for 'digital material' and broadened the list of entities subject to disclosure rules, while removing specific exemptions for internet service providers and broadcasters found in the enrolled version.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from regulating only telephone campaign communications to covering all paid political announcements, advertisements, and digital materials, including those created using artificial intelligence.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded disclosure requirements from telephone calls only to include all paid political announcements, advertisements, and digital materials.

Added specific requirements for digital advertisements to include third-party entity names in text with sufficient color contrast and visual distinction.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'digital material' to cover content placed on websites, social networks, and digital applications.

Revised the list of defined terms, removing references to 'candidate' and 'principal campaign committee' meanings and adding 'person' to include various legal entities.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed exemptions for interactive computer services, internet service providers, and radio/television broadcasters from the disclosure liability.

HB639 Reengrossed → HB639 Enrolled · 7 edits · May 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed to add a second sponsor and expanded the legal definitions to include new categories of speakers, such as 'limited public figures.' It also added a specific exemption for interactive computer services, internet providers, and broadcasters from liability regarding AI-generated content. Finally, the bill was formally enrolled and approved by the Governor, moving it from a House-only version to the final version ready for signing into law.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to cover a broader range of speakers, including 'limited public figures,' and added specific exemptions for internet service providers and broadcasters who host or transmit third-party AI content.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Representative Mandie Landry as a co-sponsor to the bill.

DEFINITION

Updated the list of defined terms to include 'limited public figure,' 'message testing,' and 'public figure' alongside existing definitions.

Added a new definition for 'limited public figure' to cover individuals who are not household names but are involved in public controversies.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the disclosure requirement to apply when the AI voice mimics that of a public figure, elected official, or limited public figure.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a liability exemption for interactive computer services, internet service providers, cloud providers, and broadcasters regarding content provided by others.

Reorganized the enforcement section to clearly separate the penalty provisions from the administrative enforcement duties of the Board of Ethics.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill status from 'Reengrossed' (House version) to 'Enrolled' (final version approved by the Governor).

HB639 Engrossed → HB639 Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to correct a significant structural error in the definitions section. The original version accidentally deleted the entire list of defined terms (Artificial intelligence, Automated call, etc.) and replaced it with the penalty clause. This change restores the definitions, ensuring the law clearly explains what constitutes an AI-generated call and related terms before outlining penalties.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on regulating AI-generated telephone campaign communications, but the legal text now properly defines the key terms required for enforcement.

DEFINITION

The original text incorrectly removed the definitions for 'Artificial intelligence', 'Automated call', 'Candidate', 'Elected public official', and 'Message testing', leaving the law without clear guidance on these terms.

The definitions for the key terms were restored in the correct order, ensuring the statute can be properly understood and enforced.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the header and page numbering to reflect the reengrossed status of the bill.

ELECTIONS/CAMPAIGNS: Requires disclosure of the use of artificial intelligence in telephone campaign communications

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors