Full Breakdown
California Moves to Fine Influencers Who Skip Paid-Political Disclosures
8/8/2026, 7:06:16 AM
Proposed Penalties for Undisclosed Political Ads
A bill introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Marc Berman would empower California’s Fair Political Practices Commission to fine content creators and political committees up to $5,000 for each violation of the state’s 2023 disclosure law. The measure would let the commission issue fines without first obtaining a court order, a change aimed at speeding enforcement after the watchdog’s investigations revealed several influencers may have posted paid political messages without the required compensation disclaimer.
Legislative Background and Comparable Rules
California’s 2023 law obligates anyone paid by a political campaign to disclose that compensation in social-media posts, but the statute has proved hard to enforce because court orders can take months. Texas adopted a similar rule in 2024, and the New York Legislature is currently debating a comparable requirement. Earlier attempts in Utah and Georgia failed to become law. Federal legislation proposed by Sen. Adam Schiff has been introduced but not yet voted on.
Influencer and Advocacy Perspectives
Content creator Dustin Torreverde, who has never been paid by a campaign, warned that the bill could impose “an unfair burden” on small creators who might need to hire lawyers to defend themselves. Libertarian influencer Adina Flores supported disclosure requirements, expressing concern that undisclosed payments could lead creators to promote candidates without a “deep dive” into their platforms.
Official Statements & Responses
Assemblymember Berman argued that voters deserve to know when campaigns are paying for the messaging they encounter. Democratic strategist Mike Nellis highlighted the strategic value of influencers, noting that candidates who fail to engage these creators “are already behind.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Healthcare shouldn’t bankrupt you, housing should not feel impossible, polluters shouldn’t pass their bill to us and artists should not be replaced by AI,” — Steyer. Smith
- “If you’re running for president and you are not currently trying to court some of these people or lining up your own people to act as surrogates for you, you’re already behind,” — Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist
- “Voters should have a right to know whether or not campaigns are paying for the messaging that they’re seeing,” — Democratic Assemblymember Marc Berman
