Iowa Senate File 2166 introduces new requirements for electioneering communications containing "synthetic media," defined as materially deceptive content created or substantially altered using AI [1]. The bill mandates a clear, conspicuous disclosure stating, "THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN MANIPULATED OR GENERATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DOES NOT DEPICT REAL EVENTS" [2]. Non-compliance may result in civil penalties or, for intentional fraud, a serious misdemeanor [3].

Who does SF 2166 affect?

Organizations and individuals involved in political campaigning, electioneering communications, and content creation for Iowa elections are directly affected. This includes political committees, advocacy groups, and anyone publishing or distributing election-related content, particularly digital media. Specific AI use cases implicated include content generation and alteration (e.g., deepfakes) within political advertising. Certain exemptions exist for bona fide news reporting, satirical content, and platforms providing user disclosure tools [4].

What is the current status of SF 2166?

As of the last published update, SF 2166 is at the "introduced" stage, with bill status "introduced".

Where can I find the primary source for SF 2166?

The primary source for the most recent update is at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search/document?fq=id:1596741&q=artificial+intelligence. AIGI publishes the full citation chain plus every approved brief on this bill.

IA, US · AI law tracker

SF 2166 — IA, US

SF 2166 is an AI governance legislation from IA, currently introduced. The bill establishes disclosure requirements for "synthetic media" in Iowa electioneering communications, created using AI [1]. AIGI tracks 1 primary-source update on this bill; the most recent was published on 2026-01-29.

Status & timeline

Regulatory stage: introduced
Bill status: introduced
Authority / governing body: Iowa Legislature
Chamber: senate
Document type: legislation

Next deadline: No fixed deadline — legislation introduced.

Subscriber only

Full obligation matrix

Actor	Obligation	Deadline	Source
deployer	A person or committee shall not knowingly or recklessly sponsor, publish, or distribute an electioneering communication containing synthetic media unless it includes a clear and conspicuous disclosure.	—	—
deployer	Ensure video electioneering communication disclosures appear in text on screen for at least four seconds at the beginning and end, occupying at least four percent of the vertical height, with readable font and high contrast.	—	—
deployer	Ensure audio electioneering communication disclosures are spoken clearly at the beginning and end at a volume and pace easily audible to the average listener.	—	—
deployer	Ensure image or text-based electioneering communication disclosures appear in text with high contrast, occupying at least four percent of the image area, or in a form equally as prominent as the communication's text.	—	—
deployer	Ensure space-limited format disclosures include the text "AI generated" and a link to the full required disclosure.	—	—
agency	The board shall adopt rules to implement this section, prioritizing education and voluntary compliance.	—	—
agency	The board shall review rules adopted pursuant to this section on an annual basis to account for changes in artificial intelligence and related technologies.	—	—
agency	The board shall afford all interested persons not less than thirty days to submit data, views, or arguments in writing prior to the adoption of rules.	—	—
other	A broadcaster, cable operator, or news outlet that communicates synthetic media as part of bona fide news reporting must include a statement questioning the authenticity of the content to be exempt from disclosure.	—	—

Subscriber only

Enforcement risk score

/ 100

Announced regulation; enforcement footprint still forming.

Subscriber only

Role-based compliance checklist

compliance_officer Identify all electioneering communications containing AI-generated synthetic media.
compliance_officer Ensure all identified synthetic media communications include the required 'THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN MANIPULATED OR GENERATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DOES NOT DEPICT REAL EVENTS' disclosure.
compliance_officer Verify video disclosures meet duration (4s), size (4% vertical height), and contrast requirements.
compliance_officer Verify audio disclosures are clearly spoken at beginning/end, at an audible volume and pace.
compliance_officer Verify image/text disclosures meet size (4% image area) and contrast requirements or are equally prominent.
compliance_officer For space-limited formats, ensure 'AI generated' text and a link to the full disclosure are included.
compliance_officer Train staff on definitions of 'synthetic media' and 'materially deceptive' content as defined by the bill.
general_counsel Review content creation processes to ensure compliance with disclosure requirements for political advertising.
compliance_officer Assess if any communications qualify for bona fide news reporting or satirical exemptions.

Subscriber only

Vendor impact assessment

Vendor risk class: high
Procurement categories: ai_in_advertising, content_moderation, other

Vendors providing AI-powered content generation, advertising platforms, or social media hosting services must ensure their tools and policies support compliance with synthetic media disclosure requirements for Iowa electioneering communications, including providing labeling tools for users.

Sample vendor questions

Does your platform or service provide tools for users to add disclosures to or label AI-generated content used in electioneering communications?
What processes do you have in place to ensure compliance with synthetic media disclosure requirements for political advertising?
How does your AI/ML content generation service identify or flag 'materially deceptive' content as defined by Iowa law?
Can your advertising tools automate the display of required disclosures on video, audio, image, and text-based synthetic media for political ads?
What data provenance or content authenticity features are integrated into your content creation tools?
How do you handle user-generated content that may contain undisclosed synthetic media, particularly for election-related communications?

Intelligence briefs (1)

legislation introduced 1/29/2026

Iowa Senate Bill Mandates AI Disclosure in Deceptive Election Media

The bill establishes disclosure requirements for "synthetic media" in Iowa electioneering communications, created using AI [1].

This development signals increased legislative focus on AI-generated content in political advertising, impacting content moderation and transparency obligations.

Deadline: No fixed deadline — legislation introduced.

Primary source →

Frequently asked questions

What is SF 2166?: Iowa Senate File 2166 introduces new requirements for electioneering communications containing "synthetic media," defined as materially deceptive content created or substantially altered using AI [1]. The bill mandates a clear, conspicuous disclosure stating, "THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN MANIPULATED OR GENERATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DOES NOT DEPICT REAL EVENTS" [2]. Non-compliance may result in civil penalties or, for intentional fraud, a serious misdemeanor [3]. Primary source →
Why does SF 2166 matter?: This development signals increased legislative focus on AI-generated content in political advertising, impacting content moderation and transparency obligations. Primary source →
Who does SF 2166 affect?: Organizations and individuals involved in political campaigning, electioneering communications, and content creation for Iowa elections are directly affected. This includes political committees, advocacy groups, and anyone publishing or distributing election-related content, particularly digital media. Specific AI use cases implicated include content generation and alteration (e.g., deepfakes) within political advertising. Certain exemptions exist for bona fide news reporting, satirical content, and platforms providing user disclosure tools [4]. Primary source →
What are the key dates for SF 2166?: No fixed deadline — legislation introduced. Primary source →
What is the current status of SF 2166?: As of the last published update, SF 2166 is at the "introduced" stage, with bill status "introduced". Primary source →
Where can I find the primary source for SF 2166?: The primary source for the most recent update is at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search/document?fq=id:1596741&q=artificial+intelligence. AIGI publishes the full citation chain plus every approved brief on this bill. Primary source →

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Important — about this brief

This brief is published by AIGI as a regulatory intelligence service. It contains general information about AI laws, regulations, enforcement actions, and policy signals across jurisdictions. It is not legal, compliance, audit, or risk-management advice; it does not establish an attorney-client, advisory, or fiduciary relationship; and it should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional counsel applied to specific facts and circumstances. Where the brief identifies “Issues for Review,” those are observations of questions a reader in a particular role might raise with their own legal, compliance, or risk function — not recommendations to act. AIGI expressly disclaims liability for actions taken or not taken in reliance on this brief. Subscribers in regulated industries should consult licensed professionals authorized to practice in their jurisdiction.

Full disclosures →

Status & timeline

Intelligence briefs (1)

Iowa Senate Bill Mandates AI Disclosure in Deceptive Election Media

Frequently asked questions

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