ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3058

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 19, 2026

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3058.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill establishes the Deepfake Technology Unit in the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety. 

      Deceptive audio or visual media, known as “deepfakes,” are realistic videos, images, audio, and text manipulated using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to convincingly depict events, statements, or text that did not occur.  As technology has advanced, deepfakes have become increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic video, images, audio, and text. 

      Under the bill, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Chief Technology Officer of the New Jersey Office of Information Technology in the Department of the Treasury, is to establish the Deepfake Technology Unit to provide technical assistance, expertise, education, and training to State and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and State courts regarding the investigation and analysis of potentially deceptive audio or visual media. 

      In addition, beginning one year after the unit’s formation, the bill requires the unit to provide an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes information on the unit’s activities during the preceding year; a summary of technological advancements in deceptive audio or visual media and applicable detection methods; a summary of changes to the law related to deceptive audio or visual media; information on the unit’s collaboration with the private sector and academic institutions; and recommendations for legislation and regulations to address the challenges posed by deceptive audio or visual media. 

      Under the bill, the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts may designate a representative to serve as a liaison and training coordinator to the unit.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      1) remove the provision appropriating $2 million; and

      2) make technical and clarifying changes.