JUST IN: ELVIS Act Is Signed Into Law

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Pictured (L-R): House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44), Luke Bryan, Governor Bill Lee, Chris Janson, RIAA CEO/Chairman Mitch Glazier & State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27). Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign

Just months since its introduction on Jan. 10, the bipartisan Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act was signed into law today (March 21) by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee at lower Broadway honky-tonk Robert’s Western World in Nashville.

The ELVIS Act establishes protections for every person’s unique voice and likeness against unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes and voice clones. The act will officially go into effect on July 1 and will update the state’s existing right of publicity to address these fundamental human protections.

Pictured (L-R): Wendy Morten, House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44), Drew Baldridge, Governor Bill Lee, Natalie Grant, RIAA CEO/Chairman Mitch Glazier, Harper Grace, Matt Maher, Tennessee Entertainment Commission Chair Gebre Waddell & Recording Academy Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer Todd Dupler. Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign

“Fittingly named after one of the world’s most iconic voices, the ELVIS Act marks a history-defining moment—protecting us all from irresponsible and unethical AI. The Human Artistry Campaign applauds this strong, bipartisan effort to stop unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes and voice clones that steal essential parts of our individuality,” shared Dr. Moiya McTier, Human Artistry Campaign Senior Advisor. “The life’s work and irreplaceable contributions of the creative community to our culture deserve safeguards that allow AI technology to be used responsibly without violating anyone’s rights or appropriating their art.”

“From Beale Street to Broadway, to Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state. As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, I thank the General Assembly for its partnership in creating legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters,” said Governor Lee.

Several Nashville artists were in attendance to celebrate the signing of the ELVIS Act, including Luke Bryan, Chris Janson, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Matt Maher, Maggie Rose, Wendy Moten, Drew Baldridge, Harper Grace and more.

Luke Bryan speaks about the ELVIS Act. Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign

“What an amazing precedent to set for the state of Tennessee,” Bryan shared with the crowd of music makers and executives. “The leaders of this are showing artists who are moving here following their dreams that our state protects what we work so hard for, and I personally want to thank all of our legislators and people who made this bill happen. It’s hard to wrap your head around what is going on with AI, but I know the ELVIS Act will help protect our voices.”

Janson shared, “It’s a pleasure to be here today. If it weren’t for moving to this town and busking up and down the street begging for a gig, I would not be where I am today. It takes real leadership, and it takes a real team coming together to protect us. I came here wanting a voice, wanting to be heard and to sing in a Lower Broadway honkytonk. Do you know what that means to a kid from the Midwest or South Florida or all of these other cities around the world? It means they made it, and now we need to protect our voices from AI-generated deepfakes using our voices, our dreams. I love what I do, I’m so grateful for my job, and I’m grateful for leadership who cares. Thank you for passing the ELVIS Act today.”

State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) shepherded the ELVIS Act to unanimous General Assembly passage (93-0 vote in the House of Representatives and 30-0 in the Senate). Throughout the process, country artist Lindsay Ell, five-time Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant, BMI Awards-winning songwriter/producer/Evanescence co-founder David Hodges, nine-time Grammy Awards-nominated Contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher, singer/actor/author Chrissy Metz, hit songwriter/NSAI Board Member Jamie Moore, RIAA SVP of Public Policy Jessie Richard and legendary Christian artist Michael W. Smith spoke to the potential harms of unchecked AI deepfakes and voice clones.

Many music advocacy organizations have applauded Lee’s signing of the ELVIS Act, including A2IM, ARA, BMAC, MAC, NSAI, NMPA, the Recording Academy, RIAA, SAG-AFTRA and SONA, all of which are members of the Human Artistry Campaign.

LB Cantrell
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