Massachusetts House and Senate Approve Bills on AI in Political Ads, Election Misinformation, and CPA Certification

Lawmakers take steps to regulate emerging technologies and strengthen consumer protections

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Massachusetts House and Senate have approved several bills in recent weeks aimed at addressing the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and misinformation in the political sphere. The measures include requirements for disclosing AI-generated content in political ads, prohibiting the distribution of deceptive communications around elections, and updating standards for certified public accountant (CPA) certification. Lawmakers say these steps are necessary to protect election integrity and consumer rights as technology rapidly evolves.

Why it matters

The proliferation of AI and misinformation online poses significant risks to the democratic process, as voters could be misled by manipulated media or deceptive claims. These bills represent an effort by state lawmakers to get ahead of these emerging threats and establish clear guidelines for the use of new technologies in the political arena. The CPA certification update also aims to address workforce challenges and ensure high professional standards in the accounting industry.

The details

The House approved a bill (H 5094) that would require any synthetic media audio or video communication intended to influence voting to disclose at the beginning and end that it contains AI-generated materials. Violators could face fines up to $1,000. The House also passed a separate measure (H 5093) that would prohibit the distribution of deceptive communications within 90 days of an election, including audio or visual media that depicts a candidate with intent to injure their reputation or deceive a voter. The Senate, meanwhile, approved legislation (S 2946) that would update the standards for CPA certification by offering a mix of college education and work experience, as well as allowing CPAs licensed in other states to practice in Massachusetts.

  • The House bills were approved and sent to the Senate in February 2026.
  • The Senate bill was approved and sent to the House in February 2026.

The players

Rep. Daniel Hunt

House Chair of the Committee on Election Laws.

Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier

House Chair of the Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

House Speaker Ron Mariano

A Democratic representative from Quincy.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones

A Republican representative from North Reading.

Sen. John Cronin

The lead sponsor of the CPA certification bill.

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What they’re saying

“If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw how widespread artificial intelligence has become. AI is no longer theoretical — it is in our everyday lives. At the same time, the conversation around election security, which has been front and center for the last several years, feels more turbulent and under siege. Voters deserve to know that what they're seeing is real.”

— Rep. Daniel Hunt, House Chair of the Committee on Election Laws (gazettenet.com)

“The use of AI-generated deepfakes for the purposes of manipulating voters and disrupting elections is an attack on democracy. As technology advances at a rapid pace, voters should not have to wade through maliciously altered or AI-generated content to get the facts about an election.”

— Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, House Chair of the Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity (gazettenet.com)

“As artificial intelligence continues to reshape our economy and many aspects of our daily lives, lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure that AI does not further the spread of misinformation in our politics.”

— House Speaker Ron Mariano (gazettenet.com)

“With the rapid advancement in new media technologies, it is important that we have proper safeguards in place to ensure this technology is not abused or manipulated to intentionally mislead voters.”

— House Minority Leader Brad Jones (gazettenet.com)

“CPAs play an invaluable role in ensuring that Massachusetts remains a leader in industries across the country. This legislation removes financial barriers to pursuing a career as a CPA, while maintaining the same rigorous academic and professional standards that have guided the profession for decades.”

— Sen. John Cronin, Lead sponsor of the CPA certification bill (gazettenet.com)

What’s next

The House bills will now move to the Senate for consideration, while the Senate bill on CPA certification will go to the House.

The takeaway

These legislative actions demonstrate Massachusetts lawmakers' commitment to addressing the challenges posed by emerging technologies like AI and misinformation in the political sphere. By establishing clear guidelines and strengthening consumer protections, the state is working to preserve election integrity and uphold professional standards in key industries.