Technology

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 1362: Boards and Commissions - As introduced, provides for a new definition for the term "artificial intelligence" for the Tennessee artificial intelligence advisory council act; expands, from 24 to at least 24 and at most 27, the number of members on the council; directs the council to make various other changes. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 31.

SB 1362 redefines "artificial intelligence" in Tennessee law as machine-based systems that make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing environments. It expands the Tennessee AI Advisory Council from 24 to 24-27 members, requiring at least two members with AI research/development experience and allowing nonvoting experts to advise. The bill mandates the council to compile an annual inventory of state and federal AI-related laws by December 2025, identifying overlaps or gaps, and to recommend data privacy best practices aligned with state data policies. This directly affects the AI Advisory Council and state agencies managing AI systems and data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes AI council to identify gaps in AI laws, promoting structured regulation and oversight of AI systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 531: Education, Curriculum - As introduced, requires local education agencies and public charter schools to provide age-appropriate instruction to students on how to access, utilize, and critically evaluate various artificial intelligence tools within the curriculum taught by the educator; requires the department of education to issue guidance on how to implement the required instruction; requires the department to provide a professional development program in artificial intelligence education for educators, subject to available funding. - Amends TCA Title 49.

HB 531 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to teach students age-appropriate skills for safely accessing, using, and critically evaluating artificial intelligence tools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates the state Department of Education to create implementation guidance covering basic AI concepts, practical applications, responsible usage, tool access, and critical thinking skills. It also directs the department to offer AI-focused professional development for educators, contingent on available funding. This bill directly affects K-12 students, teachers, and school districts by integrating AI literacy into existing curricula through state-provided resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI curriculum integration and educator training, advancing digital literacy in K-12 education per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI education in schools to build critical AI literacy, advancing tech skills development and responsible usage awareness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 1421: 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.

SB 1421 creates an affirmative defense for businesses that experience data breaches if they maintained a written cybersecurity program meeting industry-recognized standards at the time of the breach. It applies to "covered entities" (businesses handling personal information, health data, or sensitive restricted information) and requires written security protocols based on frameworks like NIST, annual risk assessments, and employee training. Businesses using this defense must prove their program met these criteria when the breach occurred. This defense applies only to lawsuits alleging inadequate security controls, not to breaches resulting from known threats the business ignored.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates affirmative defense for businesses meeting cybersecurity standards (NIST, risk assessments), incentivizing stronger data protection and enhancing cybersecurity practices per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Data Privacy

Track

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

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 1297: Driver Licenses - As enacted, prohibits the use of digital driver licenses and digital photo identification licenses for voter identification purposes; regulates the use, retention, and disclosure of data submitted by persons participating in the digital driver license system, including biometric identifiers; prohibits geolocation data from being collected for purposes of the digital driver license system; revises other provisions related to driver licenses. - Amends TCA Section 2-7-112 and Title 55, Chapter 50.

SB 1297 prohibits using digital driver licenses for voter identification in Tennessee, requiring physical licenses instead at polling places. It regulates digital license systems by banning geolocation data collection, limiting data retention to 3 days, and restricting biometric data (like face scans) to verification only. The law affects all Tennessee residents using digital licenses, particularly voters who would otherwise rely on them for ID. It also mandates strict data security and prohibits selling personal information collected through the system.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill imposes strict data privacy rules: bans geolocation, limits retention to 3 days, restricts biometric use, and mandates security - strengthening digital privacy protections for digital license systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 1179: Economic and Community Development - As introduced, enacts the "Hollyssee Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3 and Title 64.

SB 1179, the "Hollyssee Act," directs Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development to create a large-scale arts, entertainment, and media megasite. It requires identifying a location, building facilities like film soundstages, performance venues, art galleries, and VR spaces, and developing workforce training programs with local schools. The bill allocates $250 million for initial development in fiscal year 2025-2026 and offers tax incentives, grants, and public-private partnerships to attract businesses. This directly affects the state department, local communities hosting the site, arts/entertainment businesses, and workers through new training and job opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $250M for development and offers tax incentives, directly funding a project and providing tax relief.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWorkforce training programs with local schools directly advance employment standards and skills development, aligning with Labor & Employment protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $250M for VR spaces and workforce training in technology, directly funding and advancing virtual reality infrastructure and digital skills development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Workforce Development

Track

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

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 643: Dentists and Dentistry - As introduced, requires the commissioner of health to create programs designed to enhance access to dental services in rural and underserved areas subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 5 and Title 68.

HB 643 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to create programs improving dental access in rural and underserved areas, directly affecting residents in those communities. Key provisions include partnering with dental schools, upgrading clinics, offering provider incentives, supporting senior dental care, and using technology to expand services. All programs must first get approval from the Commissioner of Finance and Administration. The bill explicitly states it does not allocate funds - any spending would require separate legislative appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates programs to enhance dental access in underserved areas, directly improving patient access to health services without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly states using technology to expand dental services in underserved areas, promoting digital access for healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1261: Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As introduced, imposes requirements for health insurance issuers using artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software for utilization review or utilization management functions. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 1261 requires Tennessee health insurance companies, including TennCare and pharmacy benefits managers, to follow strict rules when using artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare decisions like approving treatments. It mandates that AI tools must base decisions on individual patient medical history and provider recommendations - not just group data - and cannot replace licensed doctors in determining medical necessity. Insurers must disclose AI use in their policies, regularly review AI performance, and ensure patient data is handled securely under HIPAA. The law prohibits AI from discriminating or causing harm and treats violations as unfair claims practices, allowing patients to sue for damages.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to use AI based on individual patient data, disclose AI use, and maintain doctor involvement in medical necessity decisions - protecting patient rights and access to care.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency, prohibits group-data reliance, and requires individualized AI decisions in healthcare to protect patient privacy and prevent biased outcomes, aligning with consumer protection regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 786: Psychologists - As introduced, requires that test materials and test data from psychological or neuropsychological testing be kept secure to avoid compromising the validity of the testing; makes other changes related to security of psychological or neuropsychological test materials and test data. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 11.

SB 786 requires psychologists and neuropsychologists to securely store test materials and data from psychological evaluations to maintain test validity. It prohibits third-party observers (like family members, attorneys, or insurance representatives) during testing and bans video/audio recordings, with limited exceptions for disabilities, language needs, minors, or trainee supervision. The bill restricts access to test materials/data solely to licensed psychologists or trained experts who must legally and ethically protect their security. It directly affects professionals conducting psychological evaluations, ensuring data integrity for high-stakes decisions like forensic assessments, medical evaluations, and educational accommodations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSecures psychological testing data to maintain validity and prevent unauthorized access, protecting patient rights and mental health service integrity within healthcare framework.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure storage of psychological test data, directly supporting data privacy protections within Technology policy.80% confidence

Track