Technology

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 102: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee technology development corporation to June 30, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 14, Part 2 and Title 4, Chapter 29.

SB 102 extends the operating authority of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation (TTDC) until June 30, 2027, preventing its automatic termination. This bill directly affects the TTDC, which supports technology-related economic development in Tennessee. The legislation makes technical corrections to Tennessee Code (Title 4, Chapters 14 and 29) by removing outdated references and clarifying the corporation's legal status. The change ensures the TTDC can continue its existing programs without interruption.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends TTDC's authority to continue technology-related economic development programs, ensuring ongoing support for Tennessee's tech sector per bill's purpose.95% confidence

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1346: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a civil and criminal action for individuals who are the subject of an intimate digital depiction that is intentionally disclosed without the individual's consent under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

SB 1346, the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," creates a civil legal remedy for individuals whose intimate digital images or videos (including deepfakes) are shared without consent. It directly affects people who have had non-consensual intimate depictions - such as images showing genitals, sexual fluids, or explicit acts - disclosed online or otherwise. The law allows victims to sue for $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual damages, or punitive damages, and seek court orders to stop further disclosure. It defines key terms like "deepfakes" and clarifies that consent for creating the image does not cover its sharing, while allowing exceptions for law enforcement or good-faith disclosures. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil remedy for victims of non-consensual intimate image disclosure, strengthening victim protections and addressing a gap in criminal justice reform. Aligns with protecting civil rights and enhancing victim rights in digital harm cases.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates civil remedy for non-consensual deepfake sharing, strengthening data privacy protections against technology misuse per bill's focus on intimate digital depictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1296: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates the criminal offense of threatening to commit an act of mass violence; creates the criminal offense of posting on a publicly accessible website the telephone number or home address of an individual with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individual's family or household. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 8 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 3.

SB 1296 creates two new criminal offenses in Tennessee: (1) threatening to commit "mass violence" (defined as an act likely to cause serious injury or death to four or more people), and (2) posting someone’s home address or phone number online with intent to cause harm. The bill directly affects individuals whose personal information is shared online for malicious purposes and targets threats made in places like schools, government buildings, or events. Violations of the first offense range from a Class E felony (standard) to Class D felony if the threat involves schools, events, or weapons preparation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and excludes public officials acting within legal duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses expanding scope of criminal law, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for 'oppose' stance90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes online sharing of personal data (phone/address) with intent to cause harm, strengthening data privacy protections by preventing malicious use of digital information.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 1299: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a civil and criminal action for individuals who are the subject of an intimate digital depiction that is intentionally disclosed without the individual's consent under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 1299, the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," creates a civil legal remedy for individuals whose non-consensual intimate digital images or videos - whether AI-generated deepfakes or manipulated real likenesses - are shared without their consent. It directly affects victims of such disclosures and those who distribute them, requiring explicit written consent for disclosure (not just creation) and defining "intimate digital depictions" to include explicit images of identifiable people. Key provisions allow victims to sue for up to $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual damages for emotional harm, or recovery of the defendant’s profits, plus attorney fees. Exceptions cover disclosures made in good faith to law enforcement or during legal proceedings, while courts may grant anonymity to plaintiffs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil/criminal remedy for non-consensual intimate image victims, protecting rights under criminal justice reform by addressing digital exploitation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates legal remedy for non-consensual deepfake image sharing, strengthening data privacy protections against AI-generated intimate content misuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

Track

died · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 457: Election Laws - As enacted, revises present law relative to voting and county election commissions, such as requiring the commission to publish a notice of the location of the provisional counting board, prohibiting the commission from tabulating any marked ballots submitted via the internet, prohibiting voting machines from being connected to the internet, and making other changes. - Amends TCA Title 2.

HB 457, now law as Public Chapter 371, amends Tennessee election procedures to enhance security and transparency. It requires county election commissions to publish the location of provisional counting boards and prohibits them from tabulating marked ballots submitted online or using internet-connected voting machines. The bill also adds a provision allowing commissions to notify petitioners of defects in their documentation. These changes directly affect county election commissions and impact how voting is processed and secured in Tennessee elections. The law focuses on preventing internet-related vulnerabilities in the voting process.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits internet-connected voting machines to enhance election security (cybersecurity), directly supporting cybersecurity measures per bill's security focus.90% confidence

Tags Elections

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 626: Election Laws - As enacted, revises present law relative to voting and county election commissions, such as requiring the commission to publish a notice of the location of the provisional counting board, prohibiting the commission from tabulating any marked ballots submitted via the internet, prohibiting voting machines from being connected to the internet, and making other changes. - Amends TCA Title 2.

SB 626 amends Tennessee's election laws to require county election commissions to publish locations of provisional counting boards and prohibit tabulating marked ballots submitted online. It also bans voting machines from connecting to the internet, directly affecting how counties manage ballot processing and voting technology. The bill makes these specific procedural changes to election administration without altering voter eligibility or ballot access. Signed by the governor on May 5, 2025, it became effective May 13, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBans internet-connected voting machines and online ballot tabulation to enhance election cybersecurity, directly supporting secure technology use in voting systems.95% confidence

Tags Elections

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 395: Anatomical Gifts - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act." - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 68.

HB 395, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants or post-transplant care if the organ was sourced from China or procured through sale/donation originating in China. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by entities linked to "foreign adversaries" (specifically targeting China per the bill's context), requiring replacement within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates that all genetic sequencing data must be stored within the United States, with remote access from outside the country prohibited without approval from the state health commissioner. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts insurer coverage for China-sourced organ transplants, limiting patient access to transplant care and prohibiting certain medical equipment use related to healthcare services.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans use of Chinese-linked genetic sequencing tech for security, restricting foreign technology access per cybersecurity focus.92% confidence

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 321: Computers and Electronic Processing - As enacted, requires each department, agency, office, commission, institution, or instrumentality of the executive branch to accept electronic transmissions; defines the meaning of electronic transmission as applicable to this state's code; removes the terms "fax" or "facsimile" in certain statutes and replaces the terms with electronic transmission. - Amends TCA Title 1; Title 2; Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 20; Title 22; Title 24; Title 31; Title 33; Title 36; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69 and Title 71.

HB 321 requires all Tennessee state executive branch agencies to accept electronic document submissions instead of fax transmissions. It defines "electronic transmission" as digital communication that can be printed (e.g., email, online portals) and removes all references to "fax," "facsimile," or "email" from over 30 sections of state law. This change affects state agencies handling paperwork and individuals or businesses submitting documents to them, streamlining processes by standardizing digital submissions. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates state agencies to accept electronic submissions instead of fax, standardizing digital processes and promoting tech adoption in government operations.90% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 538: Disabled Persons - As introduced, enacts the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 52.

SB 538, the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act," creates new protections for autistic young adults (ages 18-25) under court-appointed conservatorship. It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use online platforms to groom, sextort, or sexually exploit this group - defined as building trust to commit abuse. The law requires online platforms to implement policies preventing such exploitation and gives conservators/families tools to monitor online safety. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal penalties (Class A misdemeanor) for online exploitation of autistic young adults, protecting vulnerable populations and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires online platforms to implement abuse prevention policies, strengthening data privacy protections for vulnerable users under TCA regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Online Safety Telecommunications

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 874: Children - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act." - Amends TCA Title 24; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 47.

HB 874, now Public Chapter 368, prohibits electronic communications service providers (like internet or email companies) from notifying account holders when a search warrant or subpoena is issued for investigations involving child sexual exploitation. The law directly affects these service providers by banning them from disclosing such legal requests to users or unauthorized individuals. Key provisions require providers to withhold notification during investigations under Tennessee's child exploitation statutes, aiming to prevent suspects from destroying evidence. This law focuses on preserving the integrity of ongoing investigations into child sexual exploitation cases.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits service providers from notifying users about law enforcement data requests, weakening user privacy protections in data access procedures.85% confidence

Track