Public Records - As enacted, generally makes the addresses on a nominating petition for the office of judge, chancellor, district attorney general, and public defender confidential; clarifies that such addresses may be made open to public inspection upon the request of a candidate or law enforcement authority in anticipation of, or as part of, a contest of candidacy or contest of election. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 10, Chapter 7.

HB 1659 makes two types of addresses confidential in Tennessee: (1) addresses listed on nominating petitions for judicial candidates (judges, chancellors, district attorneys, and public defenders), and (2) application materials submitted by individuals applying for government jobs. The bill amends Tennessee law to prevent these records from being publicly accessible, removing them from standard public records disclosure requirements. This directly affects judicial candidates and job seekers applying to state or local government positions. The change takes effect upon becoming law, without altering eligibility or hiring standards.