SB 816 — AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT SYNTHETIC MEDIA IN ELECTION COMMUNICATIONS
Last action — 07/02/2025 Signed by Governor
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 14, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Dan McKee (Democratic) on July 02, 2025.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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10 sponsors
10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (10 D).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 5 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
Creates the deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media in election communications chapter to regulate the use of synthetic media in elections.
Bill Text
We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.
Read SB 816 on the official Rhode Island source →Action History
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07/02/2025 Signed by Governor
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06/27/2025 Transmitted to Governor
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06/20/2025 House passed Sub A in concurrence
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06/20/2025 Placed on House Calendar (06/20/2025)
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06/20/2025 Senate passed Sub A
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06/18/2025 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/20/2025)
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06/18/2025 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
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06/17/2025 Proposed Substitute
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06/16/2025 Scheduled for consideration (06/18/2025)
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03/20/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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03/14/2025 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/20/2025)
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03/14/2025 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
Sponsors
- Dawn Euer · Primary
- Mark McKenney · Primary
- Leonidas P. Raptakis · Primary
- Peter A. Appollonio Jr. · Primary
- Todd M. Patalano · Primary
- Walter S. Felag Jr. · Primary
- Matthew L. LaMountain · Primary
- David P. Tikoian · Primary
- Hanna M. Gallo · Primary
- Louis P. DiPalma · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 104 not signed on · 3 voted No
Sponsors (10)
- Dawn Euer Democratic
- Mark McKenney Democratic
- Leonidas P. Raptakis Democratic
- Peter A. Appollonio Jr. Democratic
- Todd M. Patalano Democratic
- Walter S. Felag Jr. Democratic
- Matthew L. LaMountain Democratic
- David P. Tikoian Democratic
- Hanna M. Gallo Democratic
- Louis P. DiPalma Democratic
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (104)
104 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 104 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 35 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (38)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ruggerio | — | Not Voting |
| Madam President | — | Yea |
| de la Cruz | — | Yea |
| Alana M. DiMario | Democratic | Yea |
| Ana B. Quezada | Democratic | Yea |
| Andrew R. Dimitri | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian J. Thompson | Democratic | Yea |
| Bridget Valverde | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Tikoian | Democratic | Yea |
| Dawn Euer | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Frank A. Ciccone III | Democratic | Yea |
| Hanna M. Gallo | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacob E. Bissaillon | Democratic | Yea |
| John P. Burke | Democratic | Yea |
| Jonathon Acosta | Democratic | Yea |
| Lammis J. Vargas | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonidas P. Raptakis | Democratic | Yea |
| Linda L. Ujifusa | Democratic | Yea |
| Lori Urso | Democratic | Yea |
| Louis P. DiPalma | Democratic | Yea |
| Mark McKenney | Democratic | Yea |
| Matthew L. LaMountain | Democratic | Yea |
| Meghan E. Kallman | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa Murray | Democratic | Yea |
| Pamela J. Lauria | Democratic | Yea |
| Peter A. Appollonio Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert Britto | Democratic | Yea |
| Ryan W. Pearson | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Samuel D. Zurier | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel W. Bell | Democratic | Yea |
| Tiara T. Mack | Democratic | Yea |
| Todd M. Patalano | Democratic | Yea |
| V. Susan Sosnowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Victoria Gu | Democratic | Yea |
| Walter S. Felag Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Elaine J. Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| Gordon E. Rogers | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas J. Paolino | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 57 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 70 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 3% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Alex Finkelman | Democratic | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony J. DeSimone | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon T. Voas | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Cherie L. Cruz | Democratic | Nay |
| Christopher R. Blazejewski | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Yea |
| David Morales | Democratic | Yea |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Earl A. Read, III | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Enrique George Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Yea |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Yea |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Yea |
| Jenni A. Furtado | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer A. Stewart | Democratic | Nay |
| Jennifer Smith Boylan | Democratic | Yea |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Yea |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Yea |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Yea |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Yea |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Yea |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Matt S. Dawson | Democratic | Yea |
| Megan L. Cotter | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Yea |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Yea |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Yea |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Tina L. Spears | Democratic | Yea |
| Jon D. Brien | Independent | Not Voting |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| Christopher G. Paplauskas | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Yea |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Marie A. Hopkins | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Yea |
| Paul M. Santucci | Republican | Yea |
| Richard R. Fascia | Republican | Yea |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 55 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 71 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 1% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Cardillo | — | Yea |
| Cruz | — | Yea |
| Fenton-Fung | — | Yea |
| Henries | — | Yea |
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Yea |
| Rea | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Vella-Wilkinson | — | Yea |
| Alex Finkelman | Democratic | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony J. DeSimone | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon T. Voas | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher R. Blazejewski | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Yea |
| David Morales | Democratic | Yea |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Enrique George Sanchez | Democratic | Nay |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Yea |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Yea |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer A. Stewart | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer Smith Boylan | Democratic | Yea |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Yea |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Yea |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Yea |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Yea |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Yea |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Matt S. Dawson | Democratic | Yea |
| Megan L. Cotter | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Yea |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Yea |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Tina L. Spears | Democratic | Yea |
| Jon D. Brien | Independent | Yea |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Yea |
| Elaine J. Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Not Voting |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (37)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Cano | — | Yea |
| DeLuca | — | Yea |
| Lombardo | — | Yea |
| Miller | — | Yea |
| Picard | — | Yea |
| Mr. President | — | Yea |
| de la Cruz | — | Yea |
| Alana M. DiMario | Democratic | Yea |
| Ana B. Quezada | Democratic | Yea |
| Bridget Valverde | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Tikoian | Democratic | Yea |
| Dawn Euer | Democratic | Yea |
| Frank A. Ciccone III | Democratic | Yea |
| Hanna M. Gallo | Democratic | Yea |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| John P. Burke | Democratic | Yea |
| Jonathon Acosta | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonidas P. Raptakis | Democratic | Yea |
| Linda L. Ujifusa | Democratic | Yea |
| Louis P. DiPalma | Democratic | Yea |
| Mark McKenney | Democratic | Yea |
| Matthew L. LaMountain | Democratic | Yea |
| Meghan E. Kallman | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa Murray | Democratic | Yea |
| Pamela J. Lauria | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert Britto | Democratic | Yea |
| Ryan W. Pearson | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel D. Zurier | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel W. Bell | Democratic | Yea |
| Tiara T. Mack | Democratic | Yea |
| V. Susan Sosnowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Valarie J. Lawson | Democratic | Yea |
| Victoria Gu | Democratic | Yea |
| Walter S. Felag Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Elaine J. Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| Gordon E. Rogers | Republican | Yea |
| Thomas J. Paolino | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 47 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 69 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 1% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Amore | — | Yea |
| Barros | — | Nay |
| Cardillo | — | Yea |
| Cassar | — | Yea |
| Fenton-Fung | — | Yea |
| Filippi | — | Yea |
| Hawkins | — | Yea |
| Henries | — | Yea |
| McLaughlin | — | Yea |
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Yea |
| Price | — | Yea |
| Ranglin-Vassell | — | Not Voting |
| Ruggiero | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Tobon | — | Yea |
| Vella-Wilkinson | — | Not Voting |
| Williams | — | Not Voting |
| Lima S | — | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Christopher R. Blazejewski | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Yea |
| David Morales | Democratic | Yea |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Yea |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Not Voting |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Yea |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Yea |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Yea |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Yea |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Yea |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Yea |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Yea |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Yea |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Yea |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Yea |
| Elaine J. Morgan | Republican | Yea |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Yea |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 816 do?
- Creates the deceptive and fraudulent synthetic media in election communications chapter to regulate the use of synthetic media in elections.
- Who sponsors SB 816?
- SB 816 is sponsored by Dawn Euer (Democratic), Mark McKenney (Democratic), Leonidas P. Raptakis (Democratic), Peter A. Appollonio Jr. (Democratic), Todd M. Patalano (Democratic), Walter S. Felag Jr. (Democratic), Matthew L. LaMountain (Democratic), David P. Tikoian (Democratic), Hanna M. Gallo (Democratic), and Louis P. DiPalma (Democratic).
- What is the current status of SB 816?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 14, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 816?
- Track SB 816 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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