Maryland House Bill HB740

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

Election Law - Campaign Materials - Disclosure of Use of Synthetic Media

Impact

If enacted, HB740 will amend existing election laws by incorporating new standards for campaign materials. The legislation requires that any campaign material employing synthetic media include a clear statement indicating the presence of such media. This enhances voter awareness and aims to reduce the impact of deceptive practices that could influence electoral outcomes. It is expected to provide voters with better information to make informed decisions during elections.

Summary

House Bill 740 aims to introduce regulations on the use of synthetic media in campaign materials within the state of Maryland. The bill defines 'synthetic media' as any image, audio recording, or video that has been manipulated through digital technology to create a realistic but false representation. This classification is significant as it addresses potential misinformation in the political landscape, particularly during election campaigns. The bill mandates that candidates, campaign finance entities, and their agents explicitly disclose the use of synthetic media in campaign materials, ensuring transparency for voters.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB740 include concerns about the practical implementation of the disclosure requirements and the definitions surrounding synthetic media. Critics may argue that the bill could be seen as overly restrictive, potentially limiting creative expressions in campaign advertising. Additionally, there may be debates about who is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with these disclosure rules—whether it falls on candidates, campaign entities, or independent creators of campaign materials.