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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A celebration of life is being held in Moorhead on Friday for Liz Anne Conmy, who was killed alongside her partner in a plane crash in Brooklyn Park on Saturday.
The celebration of life will take place at RiverHaven Events Center from 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Those paying their respects are asked not to wear black in accordance with Conmy’s wishes, who said that one shouldn’t wear black to a funeral because it should be a celebration, and are asked to wear something colorful instead.
North Dakota State Representative Conmy and her partner, Dr. Joseph Cass, a retired Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, were killed when the Beechcraft F33A they were in crashed near Crystal airport.
At this time, an investigation into what caused the crash is still ongoing.
SEE North Dakota lawmaker 1 of 2 killed in plane crash near Crystal Airport
Commy, a mother of four with ties to Minnesota State University and the University of St. Thomas, was known for her dedication to environmental and educational issues.
Friends say the couple had a passion for flying and traveled together all over the country, including in Minnesota, where Cass had a lake house.
SEE Friends, colleagues remember North Dakota lawmaker and partner killed in plane crash
Conmy’s political colleagues say she was preparing to run for a second term in the North Dakota House of Representatives.
Submitted Photo
Randy Burckhard, right, receives the Commander’s Award for Public Service from Gen. S.L. Davis, left, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command. The award was presented Tuesday, April 28, at the 2026 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium in Minot. Photo from Minot Area Chamber EDC.
Randy Burckhard of Minot was caught by surprise when he was called to the stage to accept an award at the 2026 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium held in Minot Tuesday, April 28.
Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, presented Burckhard with the Commander’s Award for Public Service.
The award is in recognition of Burckhard’s distinguished service as an outstanding Air Force advocate representing Minot and surrounding areas, as part of the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program, from Jan. 1, 2010-December 31, 2025.
“Randy has been a great supporter. He was an honorary commander when I was a wing commander (at Minot AFB from June 2011-June 2012). He became an Air Force Global Strike Civic Leader,” Davis said.
He said Burckhard recently asked to be moved to emeritus status but will continue to serve as a mentor for his replacement with the program.
Burckhard said it has been an honor and pleasure for him to serve and gave his appreciation for the award.
Maj. Thomas Barger, chief of Public Affairs at Minot Air Force Base, read the citation accompanying the award to symposium participants.
The citation states that during his tenure in the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program, Burckhard represented the communities surrounding Minot AFB and supported the 36,000 airmen and families in Air Force Global Strike Command.
The citation also noted he provided vital advocacy for Spouse Licensure, the Interstate Compact for students, and tax exemptions for military members and retirees in North Dakota.
Burckhard, a state senator for 16 years, will retire at the conclusion of his term in late November.
The citation said that additionally, he advocated for the B-21, Sentinel and MH-139 programs through both his role on the Civic Leader Program, and as a leader with Task Force 21, whose Nuclear Triad Symposiums have served as a vital platform for both education and advocacy for the nuclear mission.
He routinely advised command senior leaders during annual commander’s conferences on matters affecting community partners, and highlighted community issues key to the Command’s mission. He also enhanced public awareness and support for Global Strike issues through engagements with his local, regional, state and national contacts.
“The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Burckhard reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Global Strike Command and the United States Air Force,” the citation concludes.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags to be flown at half-staff Friday in honor and remembrance of Rep. Liz Conmy
Conmy died Saturday, April 25, at age 67, along with her partner, Joe Cass, in a plane crash in Minnesota. Conmy had represented District 11 in the North Dakota House of Representatives since 2022.
A celebration of life service for Conmy will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at RiverHaven Events Center, 700 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, Minnesota.
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