Bill in House seeks to establish individual control over personal likenesses

A measure introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Andy Biggs is intended to secure individuals’ rights to their personal likenesses, limiting unauthorized digital duplication or exploitation, the U.S. Congress reports.

Known as H.R.8323, the bill was brought forward on April 16, 2026, during the 119th Congress’ 2026 regular session. Below is a summary, which draws from the bill’s text, with some clarifications of its intent.

The proposal amends Title 17 of the United States Code to create sovereign ownership rights for citizens over their unique likeness, seeking to deter unauthorized digital use and replication. It adds a chapter defining “unique likeness” to include names, images, voices, biometric data, and genetic identifiers, granting individuals exclusive authority to reproduce, distribute, and perform content rooted in their identity. These rights extend for an individual’s lifetime and 50 years posthumously and remain non-transferable except by deliberate waiver. Exemptions are included for non-commercial, governmental, and constitutionally protected speech. If violated, rightsholders may pursue civil action for injunctions and damages, while online platforms are detailed as potentially liable if they do not act on unauthorized postings. The law takes effect 90 days after it is enacted.

The measure was introduced solely by Rep. Andy Biggs, Republican of Arizona’s 5th District.

So far this session, Rep. Biggs has put forward 92 other bills.

Congressional legislation can begin in either the House or Senate, except measures involving revenue, which must start in the House. Upon introduction, bills go to committees for analysis, hearings, changes and consideration before potentially reaching a vote in both chambers. Both chambers need to pass the same version before legislation proceeds to the president, who can sign or veto it. Congress is organized in two-year terms, each divided into two sessions and numbered consecutively. Legislative records and documentation are maintained by Congress and made public on Congress.gov.

Andrew S. Biggs serves as a representative for Arizona, initially elected to the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress and reelected to the following four. Previously, he was a member of the Arizona state house from 2003 to 2011 and state senate from 2011 to 2016, holding the posts of majority leader and senate president.

Biggs earned a B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1982, a J.D. from the University of Arizona in 1984, and an M.A. from Arizona State University in 1999. In 2024, he was also named one of the impeachment managers for the proceedings against Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Congress. The source data is available here.