HB 1513 / SB 1624, Public Chapter 625 of 2026: Transparency for Deepfakes in Political Advertising Act

Summary

Tennessee requires political communications that contain a deepfake of a candidate to carry a disclaimer. Audio that impersonates a candidate's speech must say at the beginning and end that it contains fake content impersonating speech that did not occur; video must display a statement in large letters for its full duration that it contains fake content depicting actions, or actions and speech, that did not occur. For a candidate who is not an incumbent, the rule applies only within 120 days before voting begins in an election in which the candidate is on the ballot. Deepfake has the meaning in the Preventing Deepfake Images Act. Hosts, internet service providers, search engines and cloud providers, and paid broadcasters and streaming services, are not liable unless they created the deepfake. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor, and the depicted candidate may recover damages and equitable relief.

Key dates

1. March 26, 2026Enacted
2. July 1, 2026Takes effect
3. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
4. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: October 16, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. HB1513 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 625 by the Secretary of State.

   Supports: Public chapter number

   Effective date(s) 07/01/2026 03/30/2026 Pub. Ch. 625 03/30/2026 Signed by Governor. 03/26/2026

   Supports: Signing date, chapter date and effective date

   makes a violation of such disclaimer requirement a Class C misdemeanor; entitles candidate to damages and equitable relief for violations.

   Supports: Penalty and civil remedy (as enacted summary)

   HB 1513 bill information, 114th General Assembly Tennessee General Assembly Primary source

2. This communication contains fake content impersonating speech that did not occur.

   Supports: Audio disclaimer wording

   apply only if the communication is distributed within one hundred twenty (120) days of the initiation of voting in an election in which the candidate for elected office appears on the ballot.

   Supports: 120-day window for non-incumbents

   House Bill 1513 (bill text) Tennessee General Assembly Primary source

3. This subdivision (a)(6) does not apply to a radio or television broadcasting station, cable or satellite television operator, streaming or other programming service when it is paid to broadcast material containing a deepfake

   Supports: Broadcaster exemption (enacted amendment)

   Amendment No. 1 to HB1513 (HA0611) Tennessee General Assembly Primary source