Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 141: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 141 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 6, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Political campaign advertisements; synthetic media, penalty. Primary sponsor: Saddam Salim (Democratic). It lists 3 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (March 14, 2026): Failed to Pass from conference.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Elections; political campaign advertisements; synthetic media; penalty. Prohibits electioneering communications containing synthetic media, as those terms are defined in the bill, from being published or broadcast without containing the following conspicuously displayed statement: "This message contains synthetic media that has been altered from its original source or artificially generated and may present conduct or speech that did not occur." The bill creates a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for a violation of such prohibition and a Class 1 misdemeanor for a willful violation. The bill permits any registered voter who receives an electioneering communication in violation of this requirement to institute an action for preventative relief to prohibit the publication or dissemination of such electioneering communication, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saddam Salim | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 37 |
| Russet Perry | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 31 |
| Kannan Srinivasan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 32 |
| Scott Surovell | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 34 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Failed to Pass from conference
- Failed to Pass from conference
- No further action taken
- House Conferees: Hayes, Maldonado, Pence
- Conferees appointed by House
- Senate Conferees: Salim, Perry, French
- Conferees appointed by Senate
- Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- House requested conference committee
- House insisted on substitute
- House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
- Passed House with substitute (62-Y 34-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history