WA People
BILL · 2023–24 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5152

SB 5152: Synthetic media

Defining synthetic media in campaigns for elective office, and providing relief for candidates and campaigns.

Summary

  • Creates a civil cause of action for candidates whose appearance, action, or speech is altered in electioneering communication through the use of synthetic media.
  • Makes the inclusion of specified disclosures an affirmative defense to a cause of action brought under this act.
  • Specifies situations when certain mediums may not be held liable under the act when transmitting electioneering communication.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5152), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 360, Laws of 2023
  1. IntroducedJan 9, 2023
  2. Out of committeeFeb 1, 2023
  3. Passed SenateFeb 15, 2023
  4. Passed HouseApr 6, 2023
  5. GovernorMay 9, 2023
  6. LawMay 9, 2023
Prime sponsor
Javier Valdez (D-46)
Introduced
January 9, 2023 in the Senate
Last action
May 9, 2023
Session law
Chapter 360, Laws of 2023
Requested by
State agency
Companion bill
HB 1442
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5152, ESSB 5152

AN ACT Relating to defining synthetic media in campaigns for elective office, and providing relief for candidates and campaigns;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Javier Valdez (D-46)

5 co-sponsors (5 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Senator D-22Patty Kuderer D-48Marko Liias D-21Joe Nguyen D-34Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 15, 2023
Version voted on: ESSB 5152
35 Yea 13 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican61301
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 6, 2023
Version voted on: ESSB 5152
67 Yea 30 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57001
Republican103000
How each member voted

Yea (67)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 14, 2023
Version voted on: ESSB 5152
32 Yea 14 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28001
Republican41402
How each member voted

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/23/2023. (ESSB 5152)
  2. Chapter 360, 2023 Laws. (ESSB 5152)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 5152)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5152)
  5. President signed. (ESSB 5152)
  6. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5152)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 32; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 3. (ESSB 5152)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 5152)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 30; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5152)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5152)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (ESSB 5152)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5152)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5152)
  14. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5152)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5152)
  16. SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 5152)
  17. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 5152)
  18. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations. (ESSB 5152)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5152)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5152)
  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5152)
  22. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5152)
  23. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  24. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5152)
  25. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  26. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5152)
  27. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  28. SGE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5152)
  29. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5152)
  30. Minority; do not pass.
  31. SGE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  32. First reading, referred to State Government & Elections.
  33. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5152 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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