Today, House Bill 47 addressing AI-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) passed the Alaska House of Representatives unanimously, 39 to 0. I am proud to see this important legislation move forward with such strong bipartisan support.

I began working on this bill several years ago as chair of House Judiciary in the 33rd Legislature. From the outset, our goal was clear: protect children and give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to hold offenders accountable, especially as technology evolves faster than our statutes. We developed this legislation carefully as part of a broader AI package and worked in close partnership with the Alaska Department of Law to ensure it met the real-world needs of investigators overseeing these horrific cases.

Recent reporting, including coverage by Alaska’s News Source, highlights a troubling reality: AI generated child abuse material is already being encountered by investigators, yet current law does not clearly allow prosecution. That gap is unacceptable, and HB 47 directly addresses it.

We also know that predators are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to create and distribute this material. AI-generated CSAM is not a victimless crime. It fuels demand, retraumatizes victims, and normalizes exploitation. Study after study shows that a significant majority of convicted child sex offenders have directly harmed children. These are not abstract offenses. These are crimes committed by real predators against real kids. We cannot allow technology to become a shield for pedophiles.

FOR THE RECORD

When the bill reached the House Floor, several majority-member amendments were introduced that extended beyond the original CSAM focus and had not been vetted through committee or with the Department of Law. Understanding that the bill is likely headed to the Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee for further review, I chose not to obstruct amendments related to non-consensual AI generated images. However, I did oppose Amendment #5 due to serious First Amendment concerns regarding restrictions on minors’ access to social media.

It is important to be clear – constitutional concerns raised during floor debate were directed at those late amendments, not at the original bill. The underlying legislation was thoroughly developed, carefully vetted, and crafted specifically to withstand scrutiny while ensuring we can effectively prosecute pedophiles and protect children.

Protecting the most vulnerable, especially our children, remains my top priority. At the same time, I remain committed to ensuring that laws we pass are strong, focused, and constitutionally sound. Good policy requires both urgency and diligence.

I am excited to see HB 47 advance to the Senate, where it can receive further thoughtful review. I encourage Alaskans to contact your state senator and ask them to support HB 47 as it moves through the process. Alaska’s children deserve protections that are both effective and built to last.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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