Technology (Broadband Access)

died · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HJR 1158: Memorials, Recognition - AT&T, 150th anniversary -

This Tennessee House Joint Resolution honors AT&T's 150th anniversary by commemorating the company's founding and the first telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. The resolution expresses appreciation for AT&T's historical role in advancing telecommunications and its ongoing contributions to connectivity, broadband infrastructure, and economic opportunity in Tennessee. It does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal recognition of the company's legacy and impact on communication technology.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill recognizes AT&T's contributions to telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, and economic opportunity, showing positive stance toward technology advancement.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1792: Highways, Roads and Bridges - As introduced, requires the commissioner of transportation to establish rules governing reimbursement of relocation costs to a utility; requires reimbursement of at least $2.5 million for projects with utility relocation costs exceeding $2.5 million; requires the department to approve a utility owner's plan to accomplish the proposed new location of utility facilities in highway rights-of-way if the proposal would effectuate the relocation at the lowest cost to the utility's ratepayers; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 54.

SB 1792 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to reimburse utilities for relocation costs when highway projects necessitate moving infrastructure like power lines, water pipes, or fiber optic networks. It sets a $2.5 million minimum reimbursement for projects exceeding that cost, while allowing higher payments at the commissioner's discretion. The bill clarifies that modern infrastructure - including broadband and fiber optics - is included under "utility" (aligning with current policy), and mandates the commissioner consider factors like ratepayer impact and project scale when approving reimbursements. This codifies existing practice without requiring new state funding, directly affecting utilities and highway construction projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state reimbursement for utility relocations, creating a new government expenditure under transportation budget. Aligns with funding essential infrastructure programs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly includes broadband/fiber optics as 'utility' for relocation reimbursement, protecting digital infrastructure during highway projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates reimbursement for utility relocations during highway projects, ensuring infrastructure moves without cost barriers, directly advancing transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1799: Comptroller, State - As enacted, deletes the reports the comptroller is required to submit to the general assembly regarding the provision of broadband services in historically unserved areas and the Tennessee Helping Heroes Scholarship Program; revises the information the comptroller is required to submit to the general assembly regarding the property tax relief program. - Amends TCA Section 7-59-316; Section 49-4-938 and Section 67-5-701.

HB 1799 modifies Tennessee's comptroller reporting requirements. It deletes two existing reports: one about broadband services in underserved areas and another about the Tennessee Helping Heroes Scholarship Program. The bill also revises the property tax relief program reporting by requiring the comptroller to annually estimate program costs during budget preparation and submit this to the legislature. These changes affect the state comptroller's office and the General Assembly, streamlining certain reporting obligations.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyDeletes reporting requirement for broadband services in underserved areas, removing transparency for internet access expansion efforts.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1687: Comptroller, State - As enacted, deletes the reports the comptroller is required to submit to the general assembly regarding the provision of broadband services in historically unserved areas and the Tennessee Helping Heroes Scholarship Program; revises the information the comptroller is required to submit to the general assembly regarding the property tax relief program. - Amends TCA Section 7-59-316; Section 49-4-938 and Section 67-5-701.

SB 1687 modifies Tennessee's comptroller reporting requirements by removing two existing mandates: reports on broadband services in historically unserved areas and the Tennessee Helping Heroes Scholarship Program. It revises the property tax relief program reporting to require the comptroller to annually estimate program costs and submit this to the legislature during budget planning instead of previous detailed reports. The bill directly affects the comptroller's office, which must adjust its annual reporting process under these changes. This is a procedural adjustment to streamline reporting, not a substantive policy change to programs or services.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRemoves mandated reporting on broadband services in unserved areas, weakening oversight of internet access expansion efforts per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 1181: Taxes, Sales - As enacted, sets the end date at June 30, 2027, for the exemption from sales and use tax for purchases and leases of equipment and infrastructure used to produce broadband communications services or provide internet access. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 3.

HB 1181 extends Tennessee's sales and use tax exemption for broadband-related equipment and infrastructure through June 30, 2027, instead of ending in 2025. This directly affects internet service providers and businesses that purchase or lease equipment used to build or operate broadband networks. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-6-391 to update the exemption's end date and adjusts the section's title to "Tennessee broadband equipment and services exemption." The law, enacted as Public Chapter 449 in May 2025, provides continued tax relief for these businesses without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends tax exemption for broadband infrastructure, reducing costs for ISPs to expand internet access, directly supporting technology infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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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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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 925: Taxes, Sales - As enacted, sets the end date at June 30, 2027, for the exemption from sales and use tax for purchases and leases of equipment and infrastructure used to produce broadband communications services or provide internet access. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 3.

SB 925 extends Tennessee's sales and use tax exemption for broadband equipment and infrastructure from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects businesses that provide broadband services or internet access by allowing them to continue purchasing and leasing qualifying equipment without paying state sales tax. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-6-391 to update the exemption's end date and revises the section's title to "Tennessee broadband equipment and services exemption." The law took effect on May 9, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends sales tax exemption for broadband businesses, providing tax relief per indicators. Directly modifies tax code (TCA §67-6-391) to maintain exemption through 2027.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends tax exemption for broadband infrastructure, reducing costs for providers to expand internet access and services, directly advancing technology infrastructure deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access

introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1146: 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.

HB 1146 changes Tennessee's broadband application review timeline by requiring communities to approve or deny broadband project applications within 30 calendar days (instead of 30 business days) after submission. This directly affects local governments in "broadband-ready communities" that review such applications under state economic development laws. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 4, 7, 13, 65, and 67) to implement this deadline change, streamlining the process by including weekends and holidays in the review period. It does not alter the 30-day requirement itself, only the definition of the timeframe.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAccelerates broadband deployment by shortening review timelines from business to calendar days, expanding internet access as a core technology infrastructure goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 556: Public Utility Commission - As enacted, prohibits the commission from exercising regulatory authority over the entry of, rates for, or terms or conditions used by a broadband internet access service or interconnected VoIP service, or from treating a provider of such services as a carrier; makes other changes related to broadband services. - Amends TCA Title 7 and Title 65.

SB 556 prohibits Tennessee's Public Utility Commission from regulating the entry, rates, terms, or conditions of broadband internet access services or interconnected VoIP services, or treating providers of these services as carriers. It directly affects broadband and VoIP providers by removing state regulatory oversight and the Public Utility Commission by restricting its authority over these services. The bill preserves general consumer protection and fair competition laws while exempting existing tariffed services from 2006. It does not affect federal law, 911 fees, or universal service assessments.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRemoves state regulatory authority over broadband services, limiting oversight on rates and terms for internet access providers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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