Technology

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1363: Consumer Protection - As introduced, requires the office of the attorney general and reporter to submit to the chair of the house committee having jurisdiction over consumer protection and the chair of the commerce and labor committee of the senate a report on the number of investigations into violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 in which artificial intelligence was used to effectuate an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting the conduct of any trade or commerce between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025; requires the report to be submitted no later than July 1, 2026; allows the report to be submitted electronically. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 12; Title 39; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 50; Title 55; Title 61; Title 62; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 1363 requires Tennessee's Attorney General to report on consumer protection investigations involving AI between January 2024 and December 2025. The report, due by July 1, 2026, must detail how often AI was used in unfair or deceptive business practices affecting trade or commerce, and will be sent to specific legislative committees. It mandates this using existing resources, without creating new enforcement powers. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office and the House Consumer Protection and Senate Commerce and Labor committees. This is a reporting requirement, not a change to consumer protection laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires reporting on AI use in deceptive business practices, aligning with consumer protection and data privacy oversight in technology regulation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 767: Economic and Community Development, Dept. of - As introduced, requires that a broadband ready community’s ordinance or policy for reviewing applications must contain a provision that all applications related to the project be either approved or denied within 30 calendar days, rather than 30 business days, after the applications are submitted. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 13; Title 65 and Title 67.

SB 767 requires local governments in "broadband ready communities" to review broadband project applications within 30 calendar days (not 30 business days) after submission. This change directly affects municipalities and applicants by shortening the review timeline to include weekends and holidays. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to broadband development to implement this 30-day calendar deadline requirement. It aims to streamline the approval process for broadband infrastructure projects without altering other policy details.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyShortens broadband project approval timeline from 30 business to 30 calendar days, accelerating infrastructure deployment and expanding internet access as explicitly stated in the bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 529: Consumer Protection - As enacted, revises one of the definitions of a "nonprofit organization" for purposes of the Tennessee Information Protection Act to mean a public utility organized or regulated, instead of only organized, under the laws of this state. - Amends TCA Title 47.

SB 529 amends Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act to expand the definition of deceptive practices to include "unfair" practices. It adds new prohibitions against advertising or selling radar jamming devices and requires specific font and placement for disclosures about free government services. The bill also clarifies that certain violations now constitute violations of the Consumer Protection Act and modifies discovery procedures for Attorney General enforcement actions. These changes directly affect businesses selling consumer products, particularly radar-related technology, and entities offering services that could be provided for free by government.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAmends Tennessee Information Protection Act to expand deceptive practices to include unfair practices, strengthening data privacy protections under consumer law.90% confidence

Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 420: Consumer Protection - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Consumer Protection and Subscription Renewal Act," which prohibits a business from requiring submission of credit or debit card information, or other payment information for an automatic renewal offer or continuous service offer containing a free gift or trial; makes other changes related to automatic renewal offers and continuous service offers. - Amends TCA Title 45; Title 47; Title 56 and Title 65.

HB 420, the "Tennessee Consumer Protection and Subscription Renewal Act," requires businesses to clearly explain subscription or service terms before charging customers, especially for offers including free trials or gifts. It prohibits businesses from demanding credit card information upfront for such offers and mandates explicit consumer consent before automatic renewal charges begin. The bill also requires businesses to provide easy cancellation methods (like online options or toll-free numbers) and clear notices about pricing changes after trial periods end. This law directly affects businesses selling subscriptions or continuous services in Tennessee and protects consumers from unexpected charges after free trials.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits hidden payment data collection for subscriptions and mandates explicit consent, enhancing consumer privacy in digital transactions per bill's core provisions.85% confidence

Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1099: Food and Food Products - As introduced, prohibits the sale of food containing nanotechnology created by humans that is capable of collecting and transmitting data unless the food is labeled as containing nanotechnology. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 53.

HB 1099 prohibits selling food containing human-made nanotechnology capable of collecting and transmitting data unless the product is labeled as such. It directly affects food manufacturers and retailers in Tennessee selling products with this specific type of nanotechnology. The bill defines "nanotechnology" as human-created structures under 100 nanometers designed to collect or transmit data, requiring clear labeling for such items. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires labeling of data-collecting nanotech in food, enhancing consumer transparency about data privacy risks per bill's definition of regulated technology.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1209: Boards and Commissions - As introduced, provides for a new definition for the term "artificial intelligence" for the Tennessee artificial intelligence advisory council act; expands, from 24 to at least 24 and at most 27, the number of members on the council; directs the council to make various other changes. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 31.

HB 1209 updates Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council by defining "artificial intelligence" as machine systems that make decisions influencing environments, expanding the council's membership from 24 to 24-27 members, and adding requirements for AI expertise among appointees. The bill mandates the council to identify data privacy best practices for state agencies, reference existing AI policies, and compile an annual inventory of state and federal AI-related laws by December 31, 2025. This inventory must assess overlaps, gaps, and alignment with federal frameworks to reduce compliance burdens. The bill directly affects the council, state agencies managing AI systems, and entities developing AI technologies in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates council to identify data privacy best practices for state agencies, directly advancing data privacy protections within AI governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 481: State Government - As introduced, increases membership of the information systems council by adding a state employee with experience in the field of cybersecurity, to be appointed by the governor. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3.

HB 481 would add a cybersecurity expert to Tennessee's Information Systems Council, appointed by the governor. The new member would serve as a nonvoting council member, expanding the council's membership to include specialized cybersecurity expertise. The bill updates council membership rules to include this position in reappointment eligibility and clarifies that all newly appointed members (including this cybersecurity role) are nonvoting. This change directly affects the council's composition and advisory capacity regarding state information systems.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds cybersecurity expert to council, enhancing cybersecurity expertise and oversight per bill's explicit purpose90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1174: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.

SB 1174 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to adopt written policies governing their use. These policies must mandate that officers activate cameras during all public encounters (except immediate safety threats), wear them properly to capture footage, and notify people they're being recorded. The bill also specifies exceptions: officers must ask residents before entering homes without a warrant, victims of domestic violence or rape, and anonymous crime reporters if they want the camera turned off. These policies must include training for officers and cover how recordings are handled. The law directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies that use body cameras and the public they interact with during patrols and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body camera policies with activation mandates and notifications, enhancing officer accountability and transparency in law enforcement encounters.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates notification before recording and proper data handling for body cameras, advancing data privacy protections in law enforcement technology use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 494: Education - As introduced, enacts the "Family Right to Educational Emancipation (FREE) Act," which creates a new category of independent home schools that are not subject to the data collection, reporting, or assessment requirements applicable to existing independent home school programs and that exempts such home school students and parents from compulsory school attendance requirements; prohibits the department of safety from conditioning the issuance of a driver license or learner's permit on a school-aged applicant's attendance record or enrollment status. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 49; Title 50 and Title 55.

SB 494, the "Family Right to Educational Emancipation (FREE) Act," creates a new category of home schooling in Tennessee. Parents or guardians who choose this option for children aged 6-17 are exempt from mandatory school attendance laws, state testing requirements, and data reporting to schools or government. The bill also prohibits state agencies from denying driver’s licenses or permits based on a student’s school attendance or enrollment status. This directly affects families opting for this specific home education path, removing most state regulatory requirements while maintaining the parent’s authority over curriculum and instruction.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExempts families from mandatory attendance, state testing, and reporting requirements, removing state educational mandates per bill language.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts home schools from data collection, reporting, and assessment requirements, directly protecting student data privacy as a technology topic.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Testing & Assessment Data Privacy

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 890: Health Care - As enacted, revises present law relative to a patient's electronic health record and requires a health insurance entity to establish and maintain a provider access API and a prior authorization API; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 890 requires Tennessee health insurance companies to create two digital systems: one allowing healthcare providers to access patient electronic health records and another for processing prior authorization requests (like insurance approvals for treatments). It also shortens the timeline for certain health insurance actions by changing the requirement from 10 working days to 10 calendar days. This law directly affects health insurance entities, healthcare providers, and patients by improving access to medical records and streamlining authorization processes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer APIs for EHR access and faster prior auth, reducing administrative delays to improve provider/patient access and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates health insurers to implement provider access and prior authorization APIs, advancing digital healthcare infrastructure and data interoperability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance