# US state-level AI deepfake regulation legal challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-state-level-ai-deepfake-regulation-legal-challenges
> Updated: 2026-09-17T15:07:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Legal scrutiny regarding state-level laws regulating AI-generated deepfakes in political advertising has emerged in the United States.

In Colorado, the Secretary of State’s office is investigating a potential violation of a 2024 disclosure law. The investigation follows a complaint by State Senator Cathy Kipp against the Independence Institute, alleging that an AI-generated video featuring Kipp failed to meet legal requirements for disclosure size and tool information during the election period.

In Montana, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 25, a law intended to regulate deceptive AI-generated media in campaign advertisements. The court ruled the statute likely violates the First Amendment by engaging in “viewpoint-based discrimination,” noting that the law treated deceptive media differently depending on whether the intent was to damage or elevate a candidate.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: Montana AI deepfake law blocked by federal judge

A federal judge blocked enforcement of a Montana law targeting AI deepfakes in political ads, ruling the statute likely violates the First Amendment through viewpoint-based discrimination.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montana-ai-deepfake-law-blocked-by-federal-judge

### 2026-08-25: Colorado investigates potential deepfake law violation

Colorado officials are investigating whether an AI-generated video from the Independence Institute violates state deepfake disclosure laws regarding Senator Cathy Kipp and Proposition NN.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colorado-investigates-potential-deepfake-law-violation

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Cite as: US state-level AI deepfake regulation legal challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-state-level-ai-deepfake-regulation-legal-challenges