Technology

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2464: Consumer Protection - As introduced, prohibits electric utilities and high performance computing centers in this state from using transformers, parts, or equipment manufactured or sold by entities owned or controlled by foreign adversaries to support any part of their operations; requires such utilities and centers to report to the comptroller of the treasury; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 47, Chapter 18; Title 65 and Title 68.

HB 2464 prohibits Tennessee electric utilities and high-performance computing (HPC) facilities from using transformers, parts, or equipment manufactured or sold by entities owned or controlled by "foreign adversaries" (as defined by federal regulations). The bill requires these entities to annually report equipment sources to the state comptroller, conduct internal compliance audits, and submit findings by March 1 each year. The comptroller must post all reports and audit results publicly by October 1. Violations trigger 30-day compliance notices, potential license suspension by local governments, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits foreign adversary equipment in utilities/HPC centers, enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure security per bill's intent.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HJR 841: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes to amend Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee to establish the right to privacy. -

HJR 841 proposes adding a new section to Tennessee's state constitution that establishes a fundamental right to privacy for all residents. The bill would amend Article I by stating: "As a necessary part of a free society, the people have an individual and fundamental right to privacy." This constitutional change would directly affect every Tennessee citizen by enshrining privacy as a protected right under state law. The resolution is currently in committee review and requires further legislative approval before it could be submitted to voters for ratification.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes constitutional right to privacy, directly protecting data privacy under technology policy indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2523: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, clarifies that the criminal offense of knowingly accessing a communication or computer system for the purpose of fraud or theft includes accessing a cloud computing service. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 10; Title 35; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 45; Title 47; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67 and Title 71.

SB 2523 clarifies that knowingly accessing cloud computing services (like email or online storage) for fraud or theft is a criminal offense. It directly affects individuals who misuse cloud accounts for financial gain or data theft, and law enforcement handling such cases. The bill amends Tennessee Code by adding "cloud computing service" to the list of protected systems under existing fraud and theft laws. This update ensures cloud-based services are explicitly covered under current criminal statutes without creating new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies criminal law to explicitly cover cloud services for fraud/theft, strengthening legal tools for law enforcement and aligning with modern cybercrime threats.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies criminal penalties for unauthorized cloud access, strengthening cybersecurity protections against fraud and data theft by explicitly covering cloud services in existing laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2215: Privacy, Confidentiality - As introduced, enacts the "Protecting Everyone from Excessive Police Surveillance (PEEPS) Act" for the purposes of protecting, maintaining, and accessing historical location data. - Amends TCA Title 10; Title 24 and Title 38.

SB 2215, the "PEEPS Act," requires Tennessee police and government entities to obtain a search warrant (not a subpoena) before accessing historical location data (more than 24 hours old) in databases, with limited exceptions like vehicle theft reports or traffic enforcement. It prohibits selling or sharing such data with private third parties, mandates data destruction within 2-7 days (or preservation if requested by a criminal defendant), and requires encryption, access logs, and written security policies. This law directly affects police departments, municipal governments, and any agency collecting location data from sources like license plate readers or cell towers, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance under the Fourth Amendment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for police access to historical location data, enhances privacy protections, and mandates encryption/access logs, directly strengthening law enforcement accountability and civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for police access to historical location data, prohibits third-party data sales, mandates encryption/data destruction, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Tags Privacy

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2623: Consumer Protection - As introduced, increases, from 60 to 65 days, the time that a controller has after receipt of an appeal from a consumer regarding the controller's refusal to take action on a consumer request under the Tennessee Information Protection Act to inform the consumer in writing of action taken or not taken in response to the appeal, including a written explanation of the reasons for the decision. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 39 and Title 47.

HB 2623 extends the time businesses must provide written responses to consumer appeals under Tennessee's Information Protection Act, increasing the deadline from 60 to 65 days. It directly affects consumers who appeal denied requests for their personal data and the businesses (referred to as "controllers") handling those requests. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 47-18-3304(c) to require businesses to explain their decisions in writing within the new 65-day window after receiving an appeal. This is a procedural change to the state's consumer privacy law, with no broader policy shifts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends response time for consumer data appeals under Tennessee's Privacy Act, requiring written explanations - strengthens data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2618: Computers and Electronic Processing - As introduced, requires the joint chairs of the artificial intelligence advisory council to publish their annual findings regarding the economic, labor, and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence on an appropriate page of the general assembly's website, in addition to the existing requirement to submit these reports to the governor and legislative speakers. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 10; Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 53; Title 63; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2618 requires the joint chairs of Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to publish their annual reports on AI's economic, labor, and ethical impacts on the state legislature's website. This adds a public online posting requirement to the existing obligation of submitting these reports to the governor and legislative leaders. The bill amends multiple state code sections to implement this transparency measure, directly affecting the advisory council's reporting process and making AI impact findings accessible to the public.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires public posting of AI impact reports, enhancing transparency in AI governance per bill's transparency measure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2310: Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires each LEA and public charter school serving students in any of the grades K–5 to adopt a policy governing the age-appropriate and instructional use of digital devices by students to minimize unnecessary screen time while preserving instructional effectiveness. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 2310 would prohibit Tennessee public schools and charter schools serving grades K-5 from allowing students to use digital devices at school, requiring teachers to use digital devices for instruction, or administering assessments electronically - except for specific cases. The bill directly affects K-5 students and educators in these schools, with key exceptions for public virtual schools, compliance with disability laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), and state-mandated assessments like the Tennessee universal screener. It would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed, banning digital device use during instruction and assessments for young students while maintaining existing requirements for disability accommodations and state testing. The bill does not address social media or require schools to remove devices from classrooms entirely, only restricting their use for instruction and assessments.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts digital device use in K-5 instruction and assessments, limiting technology integration in curriculum and assessments per bill language.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits digital devices for students/teachers in K-5 schools except specific cases, directly restricting technology use in education settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Social Media

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2214: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a person or entity from distributing an electoral deepfake within 90 days of an election that the person or entity knows or should have known is a deceptive and fraudulent depiction of a candidate or political party; creates civil penalties and outlines exceptions. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 2214 prohibits distributing AI-generated "electoral deepfakes" (fake videos or audio falsely depicting candidates) within 90 days of a state or local election if the creator knows or should know it deceives voters. It requires clear, prominent disclosures like "AI-generated" for altered content, with specific visibility rules for images, videos, and audio. Exceptions cover news broadcasts (if they acknowledge authenticity questions), satire, and publishers who explicitly state the content is not real. Violators face civil fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenses, $5,000 for intent to cause harm, or $1,000 for other violations. The law directly affects anyone distributing election-related content, including social media users, campaigns, and media outlets.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI deepfakes in elections with disclosure requirements to prevent voter deception, aligning with digital rights protection and consumer safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2270: Children - As enacted, establishes the children's digital protection fund within the state treasury. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2.

HB 2270 directs Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to study and report on state funding sources derived from lawsuits or investigations that support children's online mental health and safety. Specifically, it requires a report by January 15, 2027, detailing how funds - such as civil penalties from cases under the Protecting Children from Social Media Act - are used to protect children online. The bill does not create new laws or change funding allocations but mandates this review to inform future decisions. It is a procedural measure focused solely on gathering information, not implementing policy changes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates study of civil penalties from social media litigation (Protecting Children from Social Media Act) to fund online child safety, advancing data privacy protections and digital rights for minors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2481: District Attorneys - As enacted, authorizes the district attorneys general conference to pay the licensing fees for software applications used by the office of the district attorney general within a judicial district, regardless of whether the district attorney general office staff member using the application has a position funded by the state or another entity. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 9; Title 16 and Title 40.

HB 2481 allows Tennessee's District Attorneys General Conference to cover software licensing fees for all district attorney offices within a judicial district. It removes the previous restriction that required the software user's position to be state-funded, meaning fees can now be paid regardless of whether the staff member's role is funded by the state, local government, or another entity. This change simplifies access to necessary technology tools for all district attorney offices across Tennessee, ensuring consistent use of software applications without funding source barriers.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill removes funding barriers for district attorney software licenses, enabling broader technology tool access across judicial offices.85% confidence

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