North Dakota
North Dakota House considers bills on AI in political ads, ‘deepfakes’ • North Dakota Monitor
Artificial intelligence used for political purposes would require a disclaimer under a bill proposed in the North Dakota Legislature.
The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing Friday on House Bill 1167 that would require a “prominent disclaimer” on any political communication or political advertisement created wholly or in part by artificial intelligence tools.
The disclaimer must read: “This content generated by artificial intelligence.”
Bill sponsor Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, said he expects AI use in political communications to become a much bigger issue in the future.
“There are other states taking action on this to provide some protections in place, and I think the overall theme is very sound,” Warrey said.
He added the bill was crafted through consultation with the Secretary of State’s Office and creates a new provision under the Corrupt Practices section of North Dakota Century Code, making any violation punishable by a Class A misdemeanor.
Deputy Secretary of State Sandy McMerty testified in support of the bill. She said AI can be used to help create graphics, write a newsletter and other communication.
However, if AI is used in political communication, she said the public should be informed. McMerty likened the new policy to statements politicians are already required to attach to their political ads that say who paid for the ad.
Terry Effertz, executive director of advocacy group TechND, testified against the bill, telling lawmakers the proposal is too broad.
“The bill, to be honest, is a reaction to hypothetical concerns, rather than a solution to documented harm,” Effertz said. “AI is evolving and hasty legislation in this area could inhibit legitimate uses while failing to address the actual risks.”
Because AI has become widely embedded in digital content and software, it could lead to “disclosure overload,” she said.
“Really what we need to focus on is the fact that deepfakes are the real threat here,” Effertz said.
A separate proposal, House Bill 1320, would outlaw the fraudulent use of deepfake videos and images in North Dakota.
Deepfakes, or videos, images or recordings manipulated by generative AI, have caused concerns about spreading misinformation. The bill would make the creation, possession and release of deepfake videos and images, without the consent of the person featured, a Class A misdemeanor.
Rep. Josh Christy, R-Fargo, the prime sponsor of the bill, said deepfakes are a threat to North Dakotans because it’s become more difficult to determine what is real and what is fake.
He said the intent of his bill is to prevent someone from using someone else’s likeness without permission. The bill is not limited to deepfakes used for political purposes.
“If I’m able to take a video of you, upload it to a service, and then be able to represent you in a way that you don’t want, it’s not a good thing,” Christy said.
A public hearing on the bill is at 11 a.m. Monday in Room 327B at the Capitol. Christy said he plans to play a video of himself reading a portion of the Gettysburg Address in Russian, German and from a female avatar that he programmed though software.
He said he doesn’t want to cross any lines with satire or First Amendment concerns and hopes to get some feedback during the hearing.
“I don’t know where that line is,” he said. “Hopefully the Attorney General’s Office or others will come out for testimony on this and help clarify any amendments.”
The committee did not take immediate action on the bill related to disclosures of AI in political ads. Written testimony on the bill addressing deepfakes can be submitted online until 8 a.m. Monday.
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The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
Long Beach State hosted North Dakota State on March 10 where they suffered a 5-2 loss. Freshman Nina Sepulveda had two hits in the loss. Long Beach State will resume Big West play this weekend when they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13.
GRAND FORKS — Four area athletes were selected to the North Dakota Division A all-state girls basketball team, which was released by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association on Tuesday.
The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association will release all-state teams later this month.
Thompson’s Addison Sage led the way as a first team all-state pick, as well as receiving the division’s Outstanding Senior Athlete honor. Her coach, Jason Brend, was the Coach of the Year.
All-state second team choices from the area are Devils Lake junior Tylie Brodina, Four Winds-Minnewaukan sophomore Suri Gourd and Thompson senior Kya Hurst.
Sage, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Sage has more than 1,900 career points and holds the Tommies’ all-time scoring record.
Brodina, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game. She shot 82 percent from the foul line and 32 percent from 3-point range.
Hurst, a 5-6 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Hurst has scored more than 1,600 points and grabbed more than 840 rebounds in her career.
Gourd, a 5-8 guard, averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Gourd has more than 1,600 career points in her career with two more seasons to play.
Gourd led Four Winds-Minnewaukan from a 5-17 record last season to a 16-8 mark this year.
Funeral Mass for Annabelle Weber, 95, of Dickinson will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Queen of Peace Church with Msgr. Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 PM. Annabelle passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Annabelle S. Weber was born on December 8, 1930, in Killdeer, North Dakota, to Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz. She grew up in Killdeer and graduated from Killdeer High School in 1947. At the age of 17, Annabelle began working at Zimbrich’s Department Store in Killdeer. She later moved to Dickinson, where she worked at S&L in retail sales and spent many years at Kessel’s Bridal Shop. While working at the Esquire Steak House, she met Gerald Weber, the love of her life. The couple was united in marriage on November 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, where they made their home and built their life together. Annabelle was a woman who loved staying busy and caring for her family and home. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with hobbies such as crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was well known for keeping an immaculate home and took great pride in caring for those around her. Faith was an important part of her life. She joined the Catholic Daughters in 1957 and was active in church circles, often helping with funeral dinners and parish gatherings. Annabelle’s greatest joy was her family. Annabelle is survived by her sons, Greg (Barbara) Weber of Grand Forks, Russ (Rhonda) Weber of Dickinson; daughter, Sharon (Tony) Allen of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren, Christi (Ryan), Tiffani (Tim), Shane (Kayla), Tonya (Adam), Samantha (Scott), Kevin, Tracey (Analisa), Stacie, Tyler; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva Schmalz; husband, Gerald Weber; siblings, William (Evelyn) Schmalz, Elaine (John) Buresh, and Vernon (Dolores) Schmalz; and daughter-in-law, Coleen Weber (Krance). Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.
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