# Oregon's AI disclosure rule for campaign ads: what SB 1571 says > Oregon's 2024 law on synthetic media in campaign communications requires a disclosure that an image, audio or video "has been manipulated." Here is what the law says and how it is enforced. Law + AI Daily by TacticalMS · Oregon law · Published 2026-10-27 Canonical: https://tacticalms.dev/blog/oregon-ai-campaign-ad-disclosure-law-sb-1571 ## The short version - Oregon Laws 2024, chapter 62 (Senate Bill 1571) requires campaign communications that include synthetic media to disclose that the image, audio or video "has been manipulated" [1]. - The law took effect March 27, 2024, and a court can impose a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for a violation [1, 2]. - The law's definition turns on whether the altered media looks real and gives a materially different impression than the original [1]. - OPB reported in October 2026 that the state had investigated only two complaints under the law [3]. Oregon requires campaign communications that use synthetic media, such as AI-altered images, audio or video, to carry a disclosure that the content "has been manipulated" [1]. The rule comes from Oregon Laws 2024, chapter 62, enacted as Senate Bill 1571, and it has been in effect since March 27, 2024 [1, 2]. With the November 3, 2026 election a week away, OPB reported on October 21 and 22, 2026 that the Oregon Secretary of State's office is looking at a new complaint under the law [3, 4]. For Oregon lawyers who advise campaigns, political committees, media outlets or ad platforms, the text of the law is short and worth knowing. For a different Oregon AI law, see our summary of [Senate Bill 1546 on AI companion chatbots](/blog/oregon-ai-companion-chatbot-law-sb-1546). ## Which communications Oregon's SB 1571 covers The law applies to a "campaign communication," which section 1(1)(a) defines as "a communication in support of or in opposition to a clearly identified candidate or measure" [1]. That reaches both candidate races and ballot measures [1]. Section 1(2) says a campaign communication "that includes any form of synthetic media must include a disclosure" that the image, audio recording or video recording "has been manipulated" [1]. ## How SB 1571 defines synthetic media Under section 1(1)(b) of chapter 62, synthetic media is an image, audio recording or video recording of an individual's appearance, speech or conduct that has been "intentionally manipulated with the use of artificial intelligence techniques or similar digital technology" [1]. The manipulation must create one of two results [1]: - **A realistic depiction of something that did not happen.** The law describes a depiction that a reasonable person would believe is of a real individual, "but that did not actually occur in reality" [1]. - **A materially different impression.** The law describes "a materially different understanding or impression than a reasonable person would have" from the unaltered, original version [1]. The Elections Division has applied the materiality element. OPB reported that the Elections Division closed one complaint, about a candidate who used AI to edit campaign photos, finding no violation because the altered images "would not produce a materially different understanding or impression" than the originals [3]. ## What the disclosure must say The only content the law prescribes is a statement that the image, audio recording or video recording has been manipulated [1]. Chapter 62 does not set a font size, placement, duration or exact wording for the disclosure [1]. Section 4 says the Secretary of State "may adopt rules necessary to implement section 1" [1]. Questions about how to word or place a disclosure in a particular communication are ones for a licensed Oregon attorney. ## Who is exempt under section 1(6) Section 1(6) of chapter 62 lists who and what the disclosure rule does not apply to [1]: - Providers of interactive computer services and information services [1]. - Broadcasters airing synthetic media as part of bona fide news coverage that acknowledges questions about its authenticity [1]. - Broadcasters, websites and platforms paid to publish a campaign communication that contains synthetic media [1]. - Newspapers and periodicals that publish synthetic media with a statement that it does not accurately represent the candidate or ballot measure [1]. - "Content that constitutes satire, parody" or that depends on a person impersonating a candidate without the use of technology [1]. ## How Oregon enforces the synthetic media law Section 1(3) lets the Secretary of State seek an injunction against a violation, and the Attorney General can bring the action in certain cases involving the Secretary of State [1]. According to the law, a court can issue relief without proof of actual injury, must give these cases priority, and awards reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party [1]. Section 1(4) says: "Upon proof of any violation of this section, the court shall impose a civil penalty of not more than $10,000" [1]. Section 1(5) makes the remedies in section 1 the exclusive remedy for a violation [1]. Section 3 of chapter 62 amends ORS 260.345 so that complaints about a violation can be filed with a filing officer and the Secretary of State can pursue civil proceedings [1]. Under the amended statute, an elector's complaint must be filed within 90 days [1]. ## What OPB reported about the law in October 2026 OPB reported on October 21, 2026 that the state has investigated only two complaints under the 2024 law [3]. One investigation, involving a former congressional candidate's campaign, was still open, and the other ended with the no-violation finding described above [3]. OPB also reported a new complaint about a photo posted by a political action committee in a Multnomah County race [3, 4]. According to OPB, a Secretary of State's office spokesperson said the office does not know whether it will investigate that complaint [3, 4]. OPB described the law as "still nascent" and wrote that an investigation could help bring clarity to how it applies [3, 4]. No ruling on that complaint has been reported. ## What SB 1571 does not settle The law does not define how much alteration is "material," and the Elections Division's one reported decision is the only public application of that standard described in the sources [1, 3]. The law also does not set the format of the required disclosure [1]. How the Secretary of State will handle pending complaints is not known, and the sources give no timeline [3, 4]. ## Where to read Oregon's synthetic media law The enrolled text of Oregon Laws 2024, chapter 62 is published by the Oregon Legislature [1]. The Secretary of State's Elections Division lists SB 1571 in its 2024 synopsis of election law changes, effective March 27, 2024 [2]. OPB's reporting on the current complaint is linked below [3, 4]. ## Common questions ### Does Oregon require a disclaimer on AI-generated campaign ads? Yes. Under Oregon Laws 2024, chapter 62 (SB 1571), a campaign communication that includes synthetic media must include a disclosure that the image, audio recording or video recording "has been manipulated" [1]. ### What counts as synthetic media under Oregon's SB 1571? The law covers images, audio and video intentionally manipulated with artificial intelligence or similar digital technology that look real and either depict something that did not actually occur or give a materially different impression than the unaltered original [1]. ### What is the penalty for violating Oregon's AI campaign disclosure law? Upon proof of a violation, the court must impose a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, according to section 1(4) of Oregon Laws 2024, chapter 62 [1]. ### Who enforces Oregon's synthetic media law for campaigns? The Oregon Secretary of State can seek an injunction, and the Attorney General can bring the action in some cases involving the Secretary of State [1]. Electors can file complaints with a filing officer within 90 days, under the law's amendments to ORS 260.345 [1]. ## Sources 1. [Oregon Laws 2024, Chapter 62 (Enrolled Senate Bill 1571)](https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/2024orLaw0062.pdf), Oregon Legislature, March 27, 2024 2. [2024 Synopsis of Oregon Election Laws](https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/2024-Synopsis.pdf), Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Division, revised August 2024 3. [Did a Multnomah County opposition campaign violate state AI disclosure law?](https://www.opb.org/article/2026/10/21/multnomah-county-opposition-campaign-state-ai-disclosure-law/), OPB, October 21, 2026 4. [OPB's First Look: A test for Oregon's AI disclosure law](https://www.opb.org/article/2026/10/22/ai-disclosure-campaign-ads-oregon-first-look/), OPB, October 22, 2026 --- Not legal advice. This post is general information about law and technology, not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship, and TacticalMS is not a law firm. Laws, rules and ethics opinions change; check the cited sources and talk with a licensed Oregon attorney about any specific situation.