REAL Political Advertisements Act

To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide further transparency and accountability for the use of content that is generated by artificial intelligence (generative AI) in political advertisements by requiring such advertisements to include a statement within the contents of the advertisements if generative AI was used to generate any image or video footage in the advertisements, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Require the Exposure of AI–Led Political Advertisements Act REAL Political Advertisements Act 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the revolutionary innovations in generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) and the potential for their use in exacerbating and spreading misinformation and disinformation at scale and with unprecedented speed requires Congress and the Federal Election Commission to take action to protect against the use of generative AI that harms our democracy; and (2) free and fair elections require transparency and accountability, which allow the public to make informed decisions and hold public officials accountable. 3. Expansion of definition of electioneering communication (a) Expansion to online communications (1) Application to qualified Internet and digital communications (A) In general Subparagraph (A) of section 304(f)(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 ( 52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A) or satellite communication satellite, or qualified internet or digital communication (B) Qualified internet or digital communication Paragraph (3) of section 304(f) of such Act ( 52 U.S.C. 30104(f) (D) Qualified internet or digital communication The term qualified internet or digital communication . (2) Nonapplication of relevant electorate to online communications Section 304(f)(3)(A)(i)(III) of such Act ( 52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A)(i)(III) any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication (3) News exemption Section 304(f)(3)(B)(i) of such Act ( 52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(B)(i) (i) a communication appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station or any online or digital newspaper, magazine, publication, periodical, blog, or platform, unless such broadcasting, online, or digital facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate; . (b) Definition of online platform Section 301 of such Act ( 52 U.S.C. 30101 (27) Online platform (A) In general The term online platform (i) (I) sells qualified political advertisements; and (II) has 50,000,000 or more unique monthly United States visitors or users for a majority of months during the preceding 12 months; or (ii) is a third-party advertising vendor that has 50,000,000 or more unique monthly United States visitors in the aggregate on any advertisement space that it has sold or bought for a majority of months during the preceding 12 months, as measured by an independent digital ratings service accredited by the Media Ratings Council (or its successor). (B) Qualified political advertisement For purposes of this paragraph, the term qualified political advertisement (i) is made by or on behalf of a candidate; or (ii) communicates a message relating to any political matter of national importance, including— (I) a candidate; (II) any election to Federal office; or (III) a national legislative issue of public importance. (C) Third-party advertising vendor defined For purposes of this paragraph, the term third-party advertising vendor . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to communications made on or after January 1, 2024, and shall take effect without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments. 4. Requiring disclaimers on advertisements containing content generated by artificial intelligence (a) Requirement Section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 ( 52 U.S.C. 30120 (e) Special disclaimer for communications containing content generated by artificial intelligence (1) Requirement If a communication described in subsection (a) contains an image or video footage which was generated in whole or in part with the use of artificial intelligence (generative AI), the communication shall include, in a clear and conspicuous manner, a statement that the communication contains such an image or footage. (2) Safe harbor for determining clear and conspicuous manner A statement required under this subsection shall be considered to be made in a clear and conspicuous manner if the statement meets the following requirements: (A) Text or graphic communications In the case of a text or graphic communication, the statement— (i) appears in letters at least as large as the majority of the text in the communication; and (ii) meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (c). (B) Audio communications In the case of an audio communication, the statement is spoken in a clearly audible and intelligible manner at the beginning or end of the communication and lasts at least 3 seconds. (C) Video communications In the case of a video communication which also includes audio, the statement— (i) is included at either the beginning or the end of the communication; and (ii) is made both in— (I) a written format that meets the requirements of subparagraph (A) and appears for at least 4 seconds; and (II) an audible format that meets the requirements of subparagraph (B). (D) Other communications In the case of any other type of communication, the statement is at least as clear and conspicuous as the statement specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C). (3) Regulations Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the REAL Political Advertisements Act, the Commission shall promulgate a regulation to carry out this subsection, including— (A) criteria for determining whether an advertisement contains an image or video footage created through generative artificial intelligence; (B) requirements for the contents of the statement required under paragraph (1); and (C) a definition of content generated by artificial intelligence that considers current and future uses of artificial intelligence and similar technologies that have a high risk for use in creating and spreading misinformation or disinformation about candidates, elections, and issues of national concern. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to communications made on or after January 1, 2024, and shall take effect without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments. 5. Reports Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Federal Election Commission shall submit a report to Congress which includes— (1) an assessment of the compliance with and the enforcement of the requirements of section 318(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as added by this Act; (2) recommendations for any modifications to such section to assist in carrying out its purposes; and (3) the identification of ways to bring further transparency and accountability to political advertisements.

Summary: Require the Exposure of AI-Led Political Advertisements Act or the REAL Political Advertisements Act This bill expands certain disclosure and disclaimer requirements for political campaigns, including by requiring disclaimers on advertisements containing content generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, the bill requires a communication (e.g., a political advertisement) to include, in a clear and conspicuous manner, a statement if the communication contains an image or video footage that was generated in whole or in part with the use of AI. The bill outlines the requirements for determining a clear and conspicuous manner as it applies to specified communications (e.g., text or video communications). The bill directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to issue a regulation related to generative AI, including the criteria for determining whether an advertisement contains an image or video footage created through generative AI. The bill also requires reporting to the FEC of paid internet or digital communications.