HB 2137HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii would regulate realistic AI imitations and synthetic performers

If approved, Hawaii would restrict certain harmful AI imitations, require labels for many public imitations and synthetic-performer ads, and allow civil remedies.

What it does

People could challenge harmful, unauthorized AI imitations, while publicly shared realistic imitations would generally need clear labels; several speech and educational uses would be exempt.

Businesses knowingly using computer-created performers in many property or service ads would have to disclose that use, with exceptions and escalating civil fines.

Argument forClear labels could help viewers tell realistic AI imitations from authentic recordings and may reduce confusion about endorsements, news, or personal identity.

Argument againstThe disclosure and consent rules could make some commercial, creative, or parody uses harder when people must meet detailed labeling and exemption conditions.

More detail

People would be barred from knowingly creating, publishing, or sharing certain realistic AI imitations without consent, and public imitations would generally need an AI disclosure. The rules cover realistic depictions, audio, or video that appear to show an identifiable person's voice, face, likeness, or performance. The prohibition would apply when the imitation involves a commercial transaction or advertisement, is likely to cause harm, falsely suggests endorsement or authorship, or is used for fraud, defamation, harassment, or another unlawful act. Parody, satire, commentary, political expression, news illustrations, and clearly labeled artistic or educational uses would be exempt under stated conditions. A person or the person's estate could seek court orders, damages, and other remedies for a nonexempt imitation made without consent. The provisions would take effect upon approval and would not affect rights, penalties, or proceedings that matured or began before that date.

Businesses that advertise property or services would have to clearly disclose when an advertisement uses a synthetic performer, if they know about that use. The rule covers commercial advertisements using computer-created performers who appear to perform as human performers but are not recognizable as specific people. The rule would not cover advertisements for expressive works when the synthetic performer is used consistently with that work. It would not cover audio advertisements, ads using AI only to translate a human performer, or the publishers and distributors of noncompliant ads. A violation would carry a civil fine of $1,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for each later violation. The provisions would take effect upon approval and would apply to covered advertising after that date.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 14

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 14Act 247, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).Latest
2. Jul 14Act 247, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Pierick voting no (4) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 65-26) as amended in (CD 1).
9. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
10. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 65-26).
11. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
12. Apr 28The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tarnas, Lee, M., Tam, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
13. Apr 28The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Keohokalole, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.Minor
14. Apr 27Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 9:20AM in conference room 016.
15. Apr 24Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 9:30AM in conference room 016.
16. Apr 22Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 9:15AM in conference room 016.
17. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Lee, M., Tam, Gedeon.
18. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
19. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Elefante Chair; Keohokalole, Rhoads Co-Chairs; Lamosao.
20. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).Minor
21. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
22. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
23. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
24. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 662) in amended form (SD 2).
25. Apr 10Reported from CPN/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3740) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
26. Apr 1048 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
27. Apr 2The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
28. Apr 2The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura.Minor
29. Mar 30Reported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3355) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/JDC.
30. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN/JDC.Minor
31. Mar 27The committee(s) on CPN/JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-02-26 9:20AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
32. Mar 23The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara, Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
33. Mar 20The committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 364).Minor
35. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
36. Mar 12Referred to LBT, CPN/JDC.Minor
37. Mar 10Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and Representative(s) Pierick excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3. Result: pass.Lower
38. Mar 6Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1119-26) as amended in HD 3, recommending passage on Third Reading.
39. Mar 6Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
40. Mar 3The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
41. Feb 27Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
42. Feb 20Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 689-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to JHA.
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
43. Feb 20Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).Minor
44. Feb 18The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kong, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Pierick; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
45. Feb 13Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Wednesday, 02-18-26 2:00PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
46. Feb 11Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 152-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC. Result: pass.Lower
47. Feb 11Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).Minor
48. Feb 6The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
49. Feb 2Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-06-26 8:30AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
50. Jan 30Referred to ECD, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 5Minor
51. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
52. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

AI & PrivacyConsumer ProtectionCivil Rights & Voting

Issue with this bill?

HB 2137HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii would regulate realistic AI imitations and synthetic performers

If approved, Hawaii would restrict certain harmful AI imitations, require labels for many public imitations and synthetic-performer ads, and allow civil remedies.

What it does

People could challenge harmful, unauthorized AI imitations, while publicly shared realistic imitations would generally need clear labels; several speech and educational uses would be exempt.

Businesses knowingly using computer-created performers in many property or service ads would have to disclose that use, with exceptions and escalating civil fines.

Argument forClear labels could help viewers tell realistic AI imitations from authentic recordings and may reduce confusion about endorsements, news, or personal identity.

Argument againstThe disclosure and consent rules could make some commercial, creative, or parody uses harder when people must meet detailed labeling and exemption conditions.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 14

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 14Act 247, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).Latest
2. Jul 14Act 247, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Matsumoto, Pierick voting no (4) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 65-26) as amended in (CD 1).
9. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
10. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 65-26).
11. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
12. Apr 28The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tarnas, Lee, M., Tam, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
13. Apr 28The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Keohokalole, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.Minor
14. Apr 27Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 9:20AM in conference room 016.
15. Apr 24Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 9:30AM in conference room 016.
16. Apr 22Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 9:15AM in conference room 016.
17. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Lee, M., Tam, Gedeon.
18. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
19. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Elefante Chair; Keohokalole, Rhoads Co-Chairs; Lamosao.
20. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).Minor
21. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
22. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
23. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
24. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 662) in amended form (SD 2).
25. Apr 10Reported from CPN/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3740) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
26. Apr 1048 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
27. Apr 2The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
28. Apr 2The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura.Minor
29. Mar 30Reported from LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3355) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/JDC.
30. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN/JDC.Minor
31. Mar 27The committee(s) on CPN/JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-02-26 9:20AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
32. Mar 23The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in LBT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara, Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
33. Mar 20The committee(s) on LBT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 364).Minor
35. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
36. Mar 12Referred to LBT, CPN/JDC.Minor
37. Mar 10Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and Representative(s) Pierick excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 3. Result: pass.Lower
38. Mar 6Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1119-26) as amended in HD 3, recommending passage on Third Reading.
39. Mar 6Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
40. Mar 3The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
41. Feb 27Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
42. Feb 20Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 689-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to JHA.
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
43. Feb 20Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).Minor
44. Feb 18The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kong, Marten, Tam; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Pierick; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
45. Feb 13Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Wednesday, 02-18-26 2:00PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
46. Feb 11Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 152-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC. Result: pass.Lower
47. Feb 11Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).Minor
48. Feb 6The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
49. Feb 2Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-06-26 8:30AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
50. Jan 30Referred to ECD, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 5Minor
51. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
52. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

AI & PrivacyConsumer ProtectionCivil Rights & Voting

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History

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More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History