Assigned to JUD AS PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1078
fraudulent voice recordings
Purpose
Classifies, as criminal impersonation subject to a class 5 felony, using a computer
generated voice recording, image or video of another person with intent to defraud other persons
or with intent to harass other persons.
Background
A person commits criminal impersonation by: 1) assuming a false identity with the intent
to defraud another; 2) pretending to be a representative of some person or organization with the
intent to defraud; or 3) pretending to be, or assuming a false identity of, an employee or a
representative of some person or organization with the intent to induce another person to provide
or allow access to property. Criminal impersonation is classified as a class 6 felony (A.R.S.
§ 13-2006).
Harass means conduct that is directed at a specific person and that would cause a
reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed, humiliated or mentally distressed and the
conduct in fact seriously alarms, annoys, humiliates or mentally distresses the person (A.R.S.
§ 13-2921).
A class 6 felony carries a presumptive prison sentence of 1 year for first time offenders and
a fine of not more than $150,000. A class 5 felony carries presumptive prison sentence of 1.5 years
for first time offenders and a fine of not more than $150,000 (A.R.S. §§ 13-702 and 13-801).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits using a computer generated voice recording, image or video of another person with
intent to defraud other persons or with intent to harass other persons.
2. Classifies the illegal use of a computer generated voice recording, image or video as outlined
as a class 5 felony.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1078
Page 2
Amendments Adopted by Committee
• Modifies the elements necessary to commit criminal impersonation by way of using a computer
generated voice recording, image or video to impersonate a real person.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. The committee amendment was withdrawn.
2. Modifies the elements necessary to commit criminal impersonation via computer generated
technology by requiring the person to have operated with intent to defraud or intent to harass,
rather than with knowledge that the computer generated medium could cause reputational
harm.
Senate Action
JUD 2/15/24 DPA 6-1-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 27, 2024
ZD/cs