Technology

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2025

HB 1033: Civil Procedure - As introduced, creates an affirmative defense that may be utilized by a covered entity that is the subject of a data breach, if the covered entity’s cybersecurity program meets certain criteria at the time the breach occurs. - Amends TCA Title 20; Title 29 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

HB 1033 (Tennessee) creates a legal defense for businesses that experience a data breach, provided they maintained a cybersecurity program meeting specific standards at the time of the breach. It applies to "covered entities" - businesses handling personal information, health data, or sensitive restricted information - requiring them to have written security protocols aligned with industry frameworks (like NIST). If compliant, these entities can use this defense against lawsuits alleging negligence in data security, excluding breaches from law enforcement requests or authorized employee transmissions. The bill does not change breach notification rules but offers legal protection for businesses meeting its cybersecurity criteria.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates legal defense for businesses meeting cybersecurity standards (NIST-aligned), incentivizing stronger data security protocols to protect personal information.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 1156: 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.

SB 1156 requires food containing human-made nanotechnology capable of collecting and transmitting data to be clearly labeled. It bans the sale, delivery, or holding for sale of such unlabeled food. The bill defines nanotechnology as structures under 100 nanometers designed to collect and transmit data. This applies to food products sold in Tennessee starting July 1, 2025. The law directly affects food manufacturers and retailers producing or selling products containing this specific type of nanotechnology.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires labeling of food with data-collecting nanotechnology, enhancing consumer awareness about data privacy in products.95% confidence

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 367: Consumer Protection - As introduced, prohibits certain entities from sharing, selling, or otherwise distributing a vehicle's driving data without the explicit, written consent of the owner of the vehicle, regardless of how or where the driving data is collected or stored. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 47 and Title 55.

HB 367 (Consumer Protection) prohibits vehicle manufacturers and third parties from sharing, selling, or distributing a vehicle's driving data - including information from infotainment, telematics, or sensors - without the vehicle owner's explicit, written consent. It requires entities to disclose data collection practices to owners, obtain annual consent renewals, and provide an easily accessible way to revoke consent. The bill applies to all vehicle owners in Tennessee and exempts sharing with government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under federal law. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn on February 6, 2025, and never advanced further.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sharing of vehicle driving data without explicit consent, strengthening consumer data privacy protections in technology contexts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 378: State Government - As introduced, creates the "Tennessee Critical Infrastructure Act." - Amends TCA Title 4.

SB 378, the "Tennessee Critical Infrastructure Protection Act," prohibits foreign adversaries from accessing or controlling Tennessee's critical infrastructure - including power grids, water systems, telecommunications, and transportation networks - by banning agreements that would allow such access. It directly affects companies and government entities managing these systems, requiring them to certify their access, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, and ban foreign nationals from adversary nations. Exceptions are permitted only if no alternative exists, the contract is pre-approved by the state, and the risk of non-approval outweighs the security threat. The bill establishes new registration requirements, fees, and security protocols to prevent foreign interference in essential state infrastructure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits foreign adversaries from accessing critical infrastructure (including telecom networks), requiring background checks and certification to enhance cybersecurity, directly strengthening tech security measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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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 Mar 25, 2025

SB 159: Election Laws - As introduced, prohibits using voting machines or voting equipment to cast, receive, or transmit an election ballot via the internet, except for military personnel and citizens abroad. - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 6, Part 5 and Title 2, Chapter 9.

SB 159 prohibits most voters from casting ballots using voting machines or equipment connected to the internet, amending Tennessee election laws to ban internet-based ballot transmission. The bill directly affects all Tennessee voters except military personnel and citizens living overseas, who retain existing internet voting options under current law. Key provisions add a new rule requiring voting equipment to block internet ballot transmission, except for authorized military and overseas voters. This change aims to restrict internet voting access for the general electorate while preserving existing exceptions.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits internet ballot transmission for most voters, restricting technology use in voting systems per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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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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