News California Washington Advance AI Bills April 2026
California and Washington state legislatures advanced multiple AI-related bills in early April 2026, with key committee approvals on disclosure requirements, false advertising protections, and deepfake child safety measures.[1]
California Bills
SB 1050 — Synthetic Performer Disclosure in Advertising
Sponsored by Senator Ashby with support from SAG-AFTRA, SB 1050 makes it unlawful to use a "synthetic performer" (digitally created, reproduced, or modified by computer) in advertisements without clear and conspicuous disclosure to prevent deceptive practices. Violations would fall under existing False Advertising Law.[1][2]
Approved by the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee on April 7, 2026. Sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee with a hearing set for April 21, 2026.[1]
SB 1146 — AI Provisions in False Advertising for Health Products
Sponsored by Senator Gonzalez, SB 1146 adds artificial intelligence provisions to existing false advertising laws specifically for health-related consumer products.[1]
Approved by the Senate Privacy/Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee on April 7, 2026. Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.[1]
SB 1142 — Digital Dignity Act
Sponsored by Senator Becker, SB 1142 clarifies that false impersonation includes digital replicas and requires AI platforms to allow users to revoke access to their digital replicas.[1]
Approved by the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee on April 8, 2026 and re-referred to Judiciary.[1]
Washington Bills
SB 1015 — AI Deepfake Threats Against Minors
Sponsored by Senator Strickland, SB 1015 expands existing law on contact with a minor with intent to include threats or extortion induced through AI-generated deepfake images.[1]
Approved by the Public Safety Committee on April 8, 2026. Sent to the Appropriations Committee.[1]
Context
These committee approvals continue the active 2026 AI legislative season that has already produced nineteen new AI laws across U.S. states. The California bills in particular build on the state's existing body of AI legislation signed earlier in 2026, including laws on transparency, companion chatbot regulation, health AI representations, and workplace AI notices.[3]