CFB testimony - Ryan on First Amendment precedent
Ryan notes the Supreme Court has consistently upheld disclosure requirements against constitutional challenges for over 50 years, including in Citizens United and Buckley v. Valeo, and that Intro 12A serves the governmental interest in providing voters with information for informed choices.
As noted moments ago, the legislation's shift from a prohibition to disclosure largely mitigates the First Amendment risks present in the original draft.
We sympathize with the perspective of both.
We wholeheartedly share your concerns about the ways that AI technology could be used to spread false information to intentionally mislead or deceive voters about council members and other city candidates and officeholders.
The Supreme Court has consistently upheld disclosure requirements.
against constitutional challenges over the past half century, including in Citizens United, McConnell v.
At the Campaign Finance Board, we have placed a priority on learning about artificial intelligence.
FEC, and in the court's seminal 1976 campaign finance decision in Buckley v.
Ms.
Melillo and I recently completed the Harvard Kennedy School AI in Action certificate course.
We have formed an agency-wide AI working group, and we are learning more every day.
Vallejo.
Over and over, the Supreme Court has recognized the governmental interest in providing the electorate with information necessary to make informed choices in the political marketplace.
Nevertheless, AI technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that we cannot say with certainty how best to regulate its use in elections.
To that end, we appreciate that the amended version of this legislation meaningfully addresses our most significant legal and implementation concerns shared at the hearing in December 2024.
Intro 12A serves this interest.