Public Records - As introduced, creates an offense for using or selling an individual's personal identifying information obtained from a governmental entity for commercial use, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor. -

HB 1831 prohibits using or selling personal information (like home/work addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers) obtained from Tennessee government records for business purposes. It requires individuals requesting such records to sign an affidavit promising not to commercialize the data. Violating this rule is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine per person affected. The law does not apply if an individual explicitly authorizes the commercial use of their information.