South Dakota would make it illegal to spread deepfakes (realistic AI-generated audio, video, or images of people) within 90 days of an election if done to harm a candidate, unless the deepfake is clearly labeled as fake or is satire. Violating this ban would be a Class 1 misdemeanor, though the law would exempt legitimate news broadcasts and other protected speech. This creates a new criminal offense in state law to combat election interference through manipulated media.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 539
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 517
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 524
Signed by the President S.J. 511
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 45, NAYS 24. H.J. 502
House of Representatives Remove from Consent Calendar H.J. 478
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 10
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0. H.J. 10
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 410
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 32, NAYS 3. S.J. 379
State Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 1. S.J. 1
State Affairs Motion to amend S.J. 1
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
Senate Referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 209
First Reading Senate S.J. 137
Prime sponsor · Sen
D
Dist. SD-010
Do Pass Amended
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
State Affairs — Do Pass Amended