Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205

05/11/2024 10:00 AM Senate JUDICIARY

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10:02:49 AM Start
10:03:26 AM HB358
10:43:00 AM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HB 358 DEEPFAKES: LIABILITY; ELECTIONS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
<Time Limit May Be Set>
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
              SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                          May 11, 2024                                                                                          
                           10:02 a.m.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Matt Claman, Chair                                                                                                      
Senator Jesse Kiehl, Vice Chair                                                                                                 
Senator Löki Tobin                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator James Kaufman                                                                                                           
Senator Cathy Giessel                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 358(2D JUD)                                                                             
"An Act relating to defamation claims based on the use of                                                                       
deepfakes; and relating to the use of deepfakes in                                                                              
electioneering communications."                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 358                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DEEPFAKES: LIABILITY; ELECTIONS                                                                                    
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CRONK                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
02/20/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/20/24       (H)       JUD                                                                                                    
03/13/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/13/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/13/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
03/15/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/15/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/15/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
03/20/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/20/24       (H)       <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
03/22/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/22/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/22/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
03/25/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/25/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/25/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
03/27/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/27/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/27/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
04/01/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
04/01/24       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/01/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
04/03/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
04/03/24       (H)       Moved CSHB 358(JUD) Out of Committee                                                                   
04/03/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
04/08/24       (H)       JUD RPT CS(JUD) NEW TITLE 6DP                                                                          
04/08/24       (H)       DP: GRAY, CARPENTER, GROH, SUMNER,                                                                     
                         ALLARD, VANCE                                                                                          
04/29/24       (H)       RETURNED TO JUD COMMITTEE                                                                              
05/01/24       (H)       JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
05/01/24       (H)       Moved CSHB 358(2D JUD) Out of Committee                                                                
05/01/24       (H)       MINUTE(JUD)                                                                                            
05/02/24       (H)       JUD RPT CS(2D JUD) NEW TITLE 4DP 1AM                                                                   
05/02/24       (H)       DP: GRAY, CARPENTER, ALLARD, SUMNER                                                                    
05/02/24       (H)       AM: VANCE                                                                                              
05/02/24       (H)       RETURNED TO RLS COMMITTEE                                                                              
05/09/24       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
05/09/24       (H)       VERSION: CSHB 358(2D JUD)                                                                              
05/10/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
05/10/24       (S)       JUD                                                                                                    
05/11/24       (S)       JUD AT 10:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff                                                                                                           
Representative Mike Cronk                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 358 on behalf of the sponsor                                                                
and delivered the sectional analysis.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
ROBERT BALLINGER, Staff                                                                                                         
Representative Sarah Vance                                                                                                      
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the discussion of                                                               
HB 358.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:02:49 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR MATT CLAMAN called the  Senate Judiciary Standing Committee                                                             
meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.  Present at the call to order were                                                               
Senators Kiehl, Tobin, and Chair Claman.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
             HB 358-DEEPFAKES: LIABILITY; ELECTIONS                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:03:26 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN  announced the  consideration of  CS FOR  HOUSE BILL                                                               
NO. 358(2d  JUD) "An Act  relating to defamation claims  based on                                                               
the use  of deepfakes; and  relating to  the use of  deepfakes in                                                               
electioneering communications."                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CLAMAN  said this  is the  first hearing of  HB 358  in the                                                               
Senate  Judiciary  Committee. He  invited  Mr.  Stancliff to  put                                                               
himself on the record and begin his presentation.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:04:01 AM                                                                                                                   
DAVE STANCLIFF,  Staff, Representative  Mike Cronk,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,  introduced HB 358 on  behalf of the                                                               
sponsor as paraphrased below:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     The  term commonly  understood  and  currently used  to                                                                    
     describe  artificial intelligence  (AI) identity  abuse                                                                    
     is  deepfake.   HB  358  is   drafted  to   protect  an                                                                    
     individual's  voice   or  image  identity   from  being                                                                    
     changed or  manipulated without permission  through the                                                                    
     use of AI-generated deepfakes. The  bill defines what a                                                                    
     deepfake  is and  sets  prohibitions  on certain  uses,                                                                    
     including electioneering communications.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     HB  358  establishes a  civil  threshold  for cause  of                                                                    
     action when  deepfake causes  harm. It  exempts certain                                                                    
     parties  from liability  under specific  circumstances.                                                                    
     For instance,  if a social  media company  searches for                                                                    
     and  identifies  deepfake  content,   it  is  not  held                                                                    
     responsible for merely possessing the material.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     HB  358  and  its  definitions set  forth  the  current                                                                    
     language  needed to  support this  new area  of law  in                                                                    
     state statutes. This language  was adopted from federal                                                                    
     and state  sources. Deepfake technology is  evolving so                                                                    
     fast, it  is difficult to  keep up with the  terms used                                                                    
     to describe both the use and misuse of AI.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:05:46 AM                                                                                                                   
MR.  STANCLIFF  presented  the  sectional  analysis  for  HB  358                                                               
version D, CSHB 358(2d JUD):                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
               Sectional for HB 358 (33-LS1272\D)                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Section 1.                                                                                                               
     Amends AS  09.65 by adding  a new section  AS 09.65.360                                                                    
     which establishes  that defamation based on  the use of                                                                  
     a deepfake is  a claim for defamation  per se., meaning                                                                  
     it is presumed to be  damaging to a person's reputation                                                                    
     without any additional proof of harm.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2.                                                                                                               
     Amends AS 15.80  to include a new  section AS 15.80.009                                                                    
     (Deepfakes   in   electioneering   communications)   to                                                                    
     prohibit a person from knowingly  using a "deepfake" in                                                                    
     a  campaign material.  It provides  that an  individual                                                                    
     who is harmed  by such behavior may bring  an action to                                                                    
     recover   damages,   attorney   fees,  costs,   or   an                                                                    
     injunction    against   the    person   who    created,                                                                    
     disseminated, or  removed a  disclosure. It  does allow                                                                    
     the  use of  altered  material if  it  is disclosed  as                                                                    
     material that has been manipulated.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:06:53 AM                                                                                                                   
MR.  STANCLIFF said  an advertisement  recently  aired showing  a                                                               
reel of  President Biden  appearing to speak  on a  Fairbanks tax                                                               
issue, but it was not actually  him. He emphasized how easily and                                                               
cheaply  artificial intelligence  (AI)  can  alter video,  noting                                                               
that  a voice  can be  changed in  20 minutes  for under  $10. He                                                               
stated that  Representative Cronk  introduced HB  358 as  a basic                                                               
bill to  begin addressing  this emerging area  of law  in Alaska,                                                               
with the  intent that it be  built upon. He noted  that two other                                                               
complex  measures  are  also  before   the  legislature.  HB  358                                                               
received detailed debate in the  House Judiciary Committee. It is                                                               
a nonpartisan bill with majority and minority support.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:08:30 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR TOBIN  commented that there  appears to be  a grammatical                                                               
error  on page  2,  line 13,  where  a period  is  followed by  a                                                               
lowercase "and," despite the apparent  intent to introduce a list                                                               
of numbered  items 1, 2, and  3. She flagged the  potential error                                                               
for correction if the committee  prepares a substitute version of                                                               
the bill.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. STANCLIFF  said he  would contact  legislative legal  so they                                                               
can correct it if necessary.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:09:32 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR TOBIN  said HB  358 does not  include an  effective date.                                                               
She  asked  whether the  bill  would  take  effect this  year  if                                                               
passed.  She  noted that  without  an  effective date,  it  would                                                               
become law 90 days after passage.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. STANCLIFF  replied that the  intent of  HB 358 is  to protect                                                               
against  and  end, as  quickly  as  possible, the  temptation  to                                                               
distort images in this year's upcoming election.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:10:07 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN  said Senator Tobin's  question is whether  the bill                                                               
sponsor prefers to amend HB 358 to include an effective date.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. STANCLIFF replied that if it  were the will of the committee,                                                               
his  office would  support any  effective date  that puts  HB 358                                                               
into effect as soon as possible.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:10:43 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN asked  how  HB 358  addresses the  use  of AI  for                                                               
political   satire.  She   expressed   concern  about   potential                                                               
liability  for  individuals  whose  material might  be  used  for                                                               
nefarious purposes.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR.  STANCLIFF  deferred  the  question   to  Mr.  Ballinger,  an                                                               
attorney that did most of the drafting of HB 358.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:11:50 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR   CLAMAN  confirmed   that  Mr.   Ballinger  is   staff  to                                                               
Representative Vance.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. STANCLIFF replied yes.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:11:54 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN directed the question to Mr. Ballinger.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
10:12:06 AM                                                                                                                   
ROBERT  BALLINGER,  Staff,  Representative  Sarah  Vance,  Alaska                                                               
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,  answered questions during the                                                               
discussion of HB 358. He  replied that the original language from                                                               
the bill in  Washington, D.C. prohibited the use  of deepfakes in                                                               
elections or  communications when done knowingly  with the intent                                                               
to influence  an election.  He explained that  if satire  is used                                                               
with the  intent to  influence an election,  it would  fall under                                                               
the prohibition. However, if satire  is used purely for humor, it                                                               
would not  be prohibited. He  added that if someone  is concerned                                                               
their satire  might be interpreted as  election-related, they can                                                               
include a disclosure and still proceed without liability.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:13:28 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR TOBIN  gave the  example of  a popular  political blogger                                                               
who operates  in the space  between news and satire,  noting that                                                               
some may assume  the blogger is trying to  influence an election,                                                               
even if  that is not the  intent. She asked how  courts interpret                                                               
the definition of intent in such cases.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:13:57 AM                                                                                                                   
MR.  BALLINGER replied  that determining  intent would  depend on                                                               
the facts presented,  including what was said,  what actions were                                                               
taken,  when they  occurred, and  the  content of  the image.  He                                                               
stated that this evidence would be  considered by a judge or jury                                                               
to  assess intent.  He added  that  if he  were representing  the                                                               
blogger, he would  advise including a disclosure on  the video or                                                               
image.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:14:38 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN said satire presents  a complex issue. He pointed to                                                               
the New  York Times,  which often lists  what comedians  said the                                                               
night before, and noted that at  least five times a week there is                                                               
commentary  about  candidatesfrequently  former  President  Trump                                                               
and current  President Biden.  He stated  that while  the primary                                                               
purpose of satire  is to be humorous and offer  commentary, it is                                                               
difficult  to   argue  that  such  content   does  not  influence                                                               
elections.  He questioned  how to  protect  satire as  a form  of                                                               
expression when someone  might sue a comedian  for influencing an                                                               
election  by  discussing  topics like  former  President  Trump's                                                               
trial, even if the intent was not to sway voters.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:16:04 AM                                                                                                                   
MR.  BALLINGER replied  that even  if  there were  an attempt  to                                                               
prohibit that  type of  speech, it would  be protected  under the                                                               
First Amendment  right to free  speech. He clarified that  HB 358                                                               
specifically  targets   the  use  of  deepfakes.   He  cited  the                                                               
definition  of "deepfake"  in HB  358, page  3, line  14, as  any                                                               
visual  or audio  media that  is created,  altered, or  otherwise                                                               
manipulated  by artificial  intelligence in  a manner  that to  a                                                               
reasonable  observer, appears  to be  an authentic  record of  an                                                               
individual's actual  speech, conduct, or likeness;  and conveys a                                                               
fundamentally  different  understanding  or  impression  [of  the                                                               
individual's  appearance, action,  or  speech  than a  reasonable                                                               
person would  have from  the unaltered,  original version  of the                                                               
individual's appearance, action, or speech.]                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:16:42 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  CLAMAN asked  what would  happen if  a comedian  created a                                                               
deepfake and included it in a comedy show.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:16:55 AM                                                                                                                   
MR. BALLINGER  replied that if  a deepfake  is shown on  a comedy                                                               
show,  most  people would  not  interpret  it  as an  attempt  to                                                               
influence politics.  However, if  the same  content appears  in a                                                               
different  contextparticularly  with  a skilled  impersonatorthe                                                                
question becomes  whether artificial  intelligence (AI)  was used                                                               
to create  it, which  is a  requirement under  HB 358.  He stated                                                               
that if the  content appears realistic enough  that someone could                                                               
reasonably believe it was intended  to influence an election, the                                                               
recommendation is  to include a  disclosure. He said  although it                                                               
is about  protecting candidates it  is more about  preventing the                                                               
public from being deceived.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:18:24 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN  said  she  agreed that  the  public  should  have                                                               
accurate  information  to  make informed  voting  decisions.  She                                                               
asked  about the  disclosure requirements  for deepfakes,  noting                                                               
that HB 358  does not include prescriptive measures  such as font                                                               
size  or notice  placement.  She expressed  concern that  without                                                               
such details, certain groupslike   the visually impairedmay  have                                                               
difficulty noticing the disclosure.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BALLINGER  responded  that the  concern  is  legitimate.  He                                                               
explained that  the disclosure font  size must match  the largest                                                               
font size used in  the image. If no font is  used in the content,                                                               
the  disclosure must  be in  a reasonable  size that  viewers can                                                               
see.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
10:20:14 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN raised  concern about  the  duration a  disclosure                                                               
statement  must remain  visible on  an image  and reiterated  the                                                               
importance   of   including   guardrails  to   ensure   effective                                                               
communication of the disclosure.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:20:38 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR   KIEHL  asked   whether  the   language  regarding   the                                                               
disclosure  requirements was  borrowed  from  another source.  He                                                               
asked if  the language used in  HB 358 is the  same language that                                                               
that governs ads such as car commercials.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BALLINGER replied  that the  disclosure language  originated                                                               
from Washington state  legislation and was later  modified by the                                                               
House Judiciary  Committee. He stated  that most of  the language                                                               
remains the same as Washington  State's, including the wording of                                                               
the disclosure statement.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:21:22 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  KIEHL said  it  would  be helpful  to  know whether  the                                                               
disclosure  statement  requirements  align  with  those  seen  in                                                               
national  television  ads,  which  are often  difficult  to  read                                                               
without recording and  pausing the ad. He expressed  a desire for                                                               
assurance that the  disclosure language in HB  358 is reasonable.                                                               
He then  asked whether the  legislation differentiates  between a                                                               
person  manipulating  an  image  for  their  own  benefit  versus                                                               
someone else  manipulating an image  to that  person's detriment,                                                               
or  if both  scenarios  are  treated the  same  under the  bill's                                                               
requirements.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BALLINGER  replied it  is  treated  the  same. There  was  a                                                               
variation  of  the  legislation  that  applied  only  if  someone                                                               
manipulated  someone  else's  image,  but  the  bill  now  covers                                                               
manipulating  any image  with  the intent  to  cause harm,  which                                                               
would be considered a deepfake.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:22:36 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  KIEHL  said that  the  focus  on protecting  the  public                                                               
rather than the candidates is a positive aspect.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL asked  about the provision in  the legislation that                                                               
provides  immunity  to  those  who  post  or  broadcast  deepfake                                                               
content, except in cases where  disclaimers are removed. He noted                                                               
that  the  standard  used  is   "knowingly"  and  questioned  why                                                               
television  broadcasters, radio  stations,  and internet  service                                                               
providers are  not held to  the same standard. He  suggested they                                                               
should  not  be subject  to  liability  if they  are  unknowingly                                                               
duped,  but   should  be  held  accountable   if  they  knowingly                                                               
distribute a deepfake without the required disclaimer.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER  stated his belief that  there is no reason  such a                                                               
change could  not be  made. He  noted that  much of  the language                                                               
came from  TechNet and  that similar  language was  mentioned. He                                                               
said the  bill sponsor's  opinion would  be necessary  but adding                                                               
that  language would  not alter  the structure  or intent  of the                                                               
legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:24:20 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR TOBIN asked about the  reference to private communication                                                               
in  HB 358,  page 3,  line 25.  She inquired  how "audience"  and                                                               
"internet" are defined, using the  example of creating a deepfake                                                               
and sending it to a group  of friends. She questioned whether she                                                               
would still be covered under  the private communication exemption                                                               
if the deepfake was shared beyond her control.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER  replied that if  the creation and  distribution of                                                               
the image  were done with  the intent  to affect an  election, it                                                               
would  qualify  as the  use  of  a  deepfake  and could  lead  to                                                               
liability  and  potential  damages.  However, if  the  image  was                                                               
shared privately  among friends  with a  clear statement  that it                                                               
was  fake,  it  would  not  be reasonable  to  assume  intent  to                                                               
influence an  election. He  added that if  a person  intended for                                                               
their  friends to  believe the  image  was real,  there could  be                                                               
liability.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:25:39 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN said  that with  the discussion  of liability  and                                                               
damages,  she found  it notable  that HB  358 has  a zero  fiscal                                                               
note. She questioned how the bill  accounts for the creation of a                                                               
new  section of  law, potential  training for  investigators, and                                                               
funding  to conduct  investigations,  expressing curiosity  about                                                               
how those needs are addressed.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER  stated that  no new  investigator would  be needed                                                               
because  the actions  outlined in  the legislation  are civil  in                                                               
nature and do not involve any criminal enforcement.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:26:26 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  KIEHL  said  he  had   a  technical  question  regarding                                                               
definitions in HB 358, referring to  page 3, lines 17 and 19, and                                                               
asked  about  the terms  "conduct"  and  "action." He  stated  he                                                               
suspects the  intent is to  refer to representations  of physical                                                               
activity or  behavior. He then  asked whether the  language could                                                               
apply to a  political ad that misrepresents  a legislator's vote.                                                               
For  example, if  Representative X  voted differently  on a  food                                                               
benefit for  children and  an ad with  a digital  element claimed                                                               
that  Representative  X "stole  food  from  the mouths  of  needy                                                               
children,"  he  questioned whether  that  could  be considered  a                                                               
misrepresentation of conduct or action.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER  replied that the  scenario is  a bit of  a stretch                                                               
because, under  HB 358, a  person would first need  to manipulate                                                               
an image  in a way  that makes it appear  fundamentally different                                                               
from what  it originally  was. He  said the  bill is  unlikely to                                                               
apply to the  expression of ideas alone. However, if  an image of                                                               
a  legislator stating,  "There is  nothing more  important to  me                                                               
than taking care  of kids," is manipulated to  say, "Feeding kids                                                               
means nothing  to me,"  the legislation  would clearly  apply. He                                                               
added  that if  the committee  believes clarification  is needed,                                                               
additional language could be included.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:28:53 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR KIEHL said  that as he reviews HB 358,  page 3, lines 14                                                                
21, the definition  of deepfake includes any  audio media created                                                               
by artificial intelligence that  appears to a reasonable observer                                                               
to be an authentic record  of an individual's conduct and conveys                                                               
a  fundamentally  different  understanding  of  the  individual's                                                               
action.  He opined  that  if  the intent  is  to target  physical                                                               
conduct or  action, the  bill may need  to account  for scenarios                                                               
such as using AI software to display  a fake vote board or a real                                                               
image  of a  person in  an ad.  He acknowledged  that while  such                                                               
actions are deplorable, they are still protected speech.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BALLINGER  quoted lines  1921   of  HB 358:  "?a  reasonable                                                               
person would  have from  the unaltered,  original version  of the                                                               
individual's appearance,  action, or  speech," and stated  that a                                                               
deepfake,  by definition,  requires  manipulation of  appearance,                                                               
action, or  speech. He  suggested that  "action" in  this context                                                               
could possibly  be interpreted to include  votes but acknowledged                                                               
uncertainty  about   whether  a  court  would   agree  with  that                                                               
interpretation.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:30:38 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  CLAMAN  asked  for  confirmation that  HB  358  creates  a                                                               
private right  of action, allowing  an individual to  sue another                                                               
person over the use of a deepfake.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER replied yes.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CLAMAN said that by  passing HB 358whether  amended or not                                                                
the legislation  establishes a private  right of  action, meaning                                                               
individuals  can  file  lawsuits  over  deepfakes  without  state                                                               
involvement unless  the law is  significantly changed  to include                                                               
criminal enforcement. He stated that  a person with a claim would                                                               
need  to find  a  lawyer willing  to pursue  a  case for  alleged                                                               
damages  caused  by  the  publication of  a  deepfake.  He  asked                                                               
whether,  during  the House  hearing,  there  was any  discussion                                                               
about what types of damages  could be demonstrated in such cases.                                                               
He noted the practical concern  that plaintiffs would likely need                                                               
to present a strong damage  claim to attract legal representation                                                               
on a contingency  fee basis, unless they had  the financial means                                                               
to pay an attorney by the hour.                                                                                                 
10:31:56 AM                                                                                                                   
MR. BALLINGER  replied that legal  billings for such  cases would                                                               
likely be  hourly. He said he  does not expect many  attorneys to                                                               
take  these cases  on  a  contingency basis  unless  the case  is                                                               
significant,  such as  one involving  a  gubernatorial race  with                                                               
higher potential damages. For a  state representative race, while                                                               
damages could be  demonstrated, they would likely  be minimal. As                                                               
a result, individuals  would probably need to pay  an attorney by                                                               
the hour.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:32:39 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN  asked, if  the legislation  is passed,  wouldn't it                                                               
effectively   mean  that   only   individuals  with   substantial                                                               
resources would be able to  meaningfully pursue claims. He stated                                                               
that the  average person would likely  be unable to bring  a case                                                               
due to the high cost,  potentially requiring tens of thousands of                                                               
dollars to pursue a claim.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER replied yes, it  would likely be individuals with a                                                               
vested interest  who are willing  to invest in bringing  a claim.                                                               
He  noted that  successful  plaintiffs  could recover  attorney's                                                               
fees  and  damages.  If  the  case is  clear,  it  may  be  worth                                                               
pursuing, particularly  for candidates. However, he  added that a                                                               
private citizen who  feels wronged by a deepfake  could also file                                                               
a claim.  He concluded  that unless the  case involves  clear and                                                               
significant damages,  it would  be similar  to other  cases where                                                               
people  must  decide  whether  pursuing   justice  is  worth  the                                                               
financial investment.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:33:49 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN  said  she  is  thinking  along  the  same  lines,                                                               
expressing  concern  for  Alaska's  citizen  legislature,  school                                                               
board  members,  city council  members,  and  others who  may  be                                                               
targeted  by deepfakes  without  meaningful  recourse. She  noted                                                               
that  those individuals  are not  paid  a high  enough salary  to                                                               
afford  pursuing  civil penalties.  She  asked  what the  penalty                                                               
structure looks like in other states, such as Washington.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:34:37 AM                                                                                                                   
MR.  BALLINGER recollected  that  the language  in Washington  is                                                               
very  similar, granting  the right  to file  a civil  lawsuit. He                                                               
said  there are  surely other  versions of  bills that  establish                                                               
specific  penalties. He  opined that  if a  candidate engaged  in                                                               
creating or distributing  a deepfake, it could also  result in an                                                               
ethics complaint. Ultimately, he stated  that the goal is for the                                                               
threat of  being sued over  a deepfake  to serve as  a deterrent                                                                
similar to  how defamation  laws function. He  added that  HB 358                                                               
creates a legal  framework where deepfakes are treated  as a form                                                               
of defamation for which civil action can be taken.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:35:32 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN stated  his belief that what motivates  people to be                                                               
truthful is  not the threat  of a defamation lawsuit,  but rather                                                               
their inherent goodwill and sense of justice.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER replied he hopes that is true.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CLAMAN  said the question  of damages is  important, noting                                                               
that  two   members  of  the   committee  previously   worked  as                                                               
legislative  staff  before  running  for office.  He  raised  the                                                               
scenario in which HB 358 is  in effect, and Candidate Kiehl loses                                                               
an election  after a  deepfake appears late  in the  campaign. If                                                               
Candidate Kiehl  files a lawsuit  against the publisher,  and the                                                               
person acknowledges the  deepfake but argues that  he suffered no                                                               
damages  because he  can return  to  a better-paying  legislative                                                               
staff  position, it  raises the  issue  of how  damages would  be                                                               
proven in such a case.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. BALLINGER replied that is a legitimate concern.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:36:54 AM                                                                                                                   
MR.  STANCLIFF  commented that  these  types  of questions  arise                                                               
during a good  legislative process. He expressed  hope that, like                                                               
all  laws,  once  enacted,  this legislation  would  serve  as  a                                                               
preventative  barrier.  He  also  addressed  the  issue  of  free                                                               
speech,  referencing   a  House   amendment  where   the  sponsor                                                               
indicated  a willingness  to eliminate  the disclaimer  provision                                                               
altogether,  stating that  no  disclaimer  would protect  someone                                                               
from liability.  He stated his  belief that the  amendment failed                                                               
due to  concerns over free  speech. He explained that  the intent                                                               
was   to   allow   individuals   creating   deepfakes   to   take                                                               
responsibility by disclosing their  identity. He acknowledged the                                                               
fine line involved in balancing  these concerns and noted that if                                                               
HB 358  becomes law, it would  be just a beginninga   new section                                                               
of  statute that  can be  amended and  expanded. He  concluded by                                                               
saying  that  the  bill's deterrent  effect  could  grow  through                                                               
public awareness,  ongoing discussion,  media attention,  and the                                                               
increasing presence of deepfakes in news reels.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:38:46 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN stated  that she  agreed and  noted that  multiple                                                               
states  are   currently  considering  similar   legislation.  She                                                               
highlighted  Florida's approach,  which includes  both civil  and                                                               
criminal provisions.  Florida's law makes failure  to include the                                                               
required  disclaimer   a  first-degree  misdemeanor,   which  she                                                               
believes offers  stronger protection  for Alaskans  considering a                                                               
run for  office in  the upcoming election  cycle. She  added that                                                               
Florida  assigns  the  Division  of  Administrative  Hearings  to                                                               
adjudicate violations.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:39:27 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN   emphasized  that  her  concern   extends  beyond                                                               
citizens  who might  create deepfakes  to include  outside actors                                                               
and  agitators,  whose  influence  on local  elections  has  been                                                               
evident  for  nearly  two decades.  She  expressed  concern  that                                                               
relying solely on civil penalties  and leaving enforcement to the                                                               
individual harmed  by a  deepfake removes  an important  tool for                                                               
protecting candidates. She pointed out  that, as a candidate, she                                                               
would  not have  the  resources to  pursue  legal action  against                                                               
foreign entities,  such as the  Russian government,  or platforms                                                               
like TikTok  if they disseminated deepfakes  aimed at influencing                                                               
the election.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR   TOBIN   urged   legislators  to   consider   the   full                                                               
implications  of  the  issue,  advocating  for  a  broader,  more                                                               
inclusive  approach  rather  than  a  single  step  forward.  She                                                               
concluded  by stating  her belief  that deepfakes  and artificial                                                               
intelligence  pose  an  existential   threat  to  free  and  fair                                                               
elections.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:40:42 AM                                                                                                                   
MR. BALLINGER stated he agreed  one hundred percent. He expressed                                                               
concern  about   what  is  realistically  possible   and  whether                                                               
legitimate concerns can be incorporated  now or will have to wait                                                               
until the  next legislative  session. He  noted that  the sponsor                                                               
has repeatedly said  HB 358 is a starting  point. He acknowledged                                                               
that lawmakers do not yet  fully understand all the possibilities                                                               
or  issues involved,  but emphasized  the  importance of  getting                                                               
something on the record to build upon.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BALLINGER added  that if  the committee  chooses to  make an                                                               
amendment and believes it can get  HB 358 to the Senate floor and                                                               
back to the House for concurrence,  the sponsor is likely open to                                                               
that. He concluded by saying it  is not an issue with fundamental                                                               
disagreement; most people are on the  same page, and the focus is                                                               
on how best to achieve legislation.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
10:41:59 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  TOBIN said  she is  reviewing the  legislation currently                                                               
being considered  in 27 other  states, many of which  have passed                                                               
or  introduced similar  measures.  She stated  she will  continue                                                               
examining those efforts to identify ways to provide relief and                                                                  
protection to all of Alaska's potential candidates as quickly as                                                                
possible during the upcoming election cycle.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
10:42:19 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on HB 358; finding none, he                                                                
closed public testimony.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:42:38 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR CLAMAN held HB 358 in committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:43:00 AM                                                                                                                   
There being no further business to come before the committee,                                                                   
Chair Claman adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee                                                                  
meeting at 10:43 a.m.                                                                                                           

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 358 version D 5.2.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358
HB 358 Sponsor Statement 5.10.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358
HB 358 Sectional Analysis 5.10.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358
HB 358 Changes in Versions 5.10.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358
HB 358 Supporting Document- AI Art 5.10.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358
HB 358- Supporting Document-AI Art Part 2 5.10.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358
HB 358 Statement of Zero Fiscal Impact 4.8.2024.pdf SJUD 5/11/2024 10:00:00 AM
HB 358