SB 2215, the "PEEPS Act," requires Tennessee police and government entities to obtain a search warrant (not a subpoena) before accessing historical location data (more than 24 hours old) in databases, with limited exceptions like vehicle theft reports or traffic enforcement. It prohibits selling or sharing such data with private third parties, mandates data destruction within 2-7 days (or preservation if requested by a criminal defendant), and requires encryption, access logs, and written security policies. This law directly affects police departments, municipal governments, and any agency collecting location data from sources like license plate readers or cell towers, aiming to limit unwarranted surveillance under the Fourth Amendment.
HB 2623 extends the time businesses must provide written responses to consumer appeals under Tennessee's Information Protection Act, increasing the deadline from 60 to 65 days. It directly affects consumers who appeal denied requests for their personal data and the businesses (referred to as "controllers") handling those requests. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 47-18-3304(c) to require businesses to explain their decisions in writing within the new 65-day window after receiving an appeal. This is a procedural change to the state's consumer privacy law, with no broader policy shifts.
SB 2618 requires the joint chairs of Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to publish their annual reports on AI's economic, labor, and ethical impacts on the state legislature's website. This adds a public online posting requirement to the existing obligation of submitting these reports to the governor and legislative leaders. The bill amends multiple state code sections to implement this transparency measure, directly affecting the advisory council's reporting process and making AI impact findings accessible to the public.
HB 2214 prohibits distributing AI-generated "electoral deepfakes" (fake videos or audio falsely depicting candidates) within 90 days of a state or local election if the creator knows or should know it deceives voters. It requires clear, prominent disclosures like "AI-generated" for altered content, with specific visibility rules for images, videos, and audio. Exceptions cover news broadcasts (if they acknowledge authenticity questions), satire, and publishers who explicitly state the content is not real. Violators face civil fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenses, $5,000 for intent to cause harm, or $1,000 for other violations. The law directly affects anyone distributing election-related content, including social media users, campaigns, and media outlets.
HB 2270 directs Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to study and report on state funding sources derived from lawsuits or investigations that support children's online mental health and safety. Specifically, it requires a report by January 15, 2027, detailing how funds - such as civil penalties from cases under the Protecting Children from Social Media Act - are used to protect children online. The bill does not create new laws or change funding allocations but mandates this review to inform future decisions. It is a procedural measure focused solely on gathering information, not implementing policy changes.
HB 2481 allows Tennessee's District Attorneys General Conference to cover software licensing fees for all district attorney offices within a judicial district. It removes the previous restriction that required the software user's position to be state-funded, meaning fees can now be paid regardless of whether the staff member's role is funded by the state, local government, or another entity. This change simplifies access to necessary technology tools for all district attorney offices across Tennessee, ensuring consistent use of software applications without funding source barriers.
HB 2225 creates a state-level "Do Not Call" registry that allows Tennessee residents to opt out of unsolicited telephone solicitations. It restricts automated calls (robocalls) and unsolicited sales calls, particularly during evening hours, and requires businesses to honor consumer opt-out requests. The Tennessee attorney general can enforce these rules, impose court-ordered fines for violations, and maintain the registry with input from federal systems. This directly affects consumers who receive unwanted calls and businesses making phone solicitations in Tennessee.
HB 2621 requires municipal electric utilities in Tennessee to make their current rate schedules, charges, and service rules available online for public access, replacing the previous requirement to keep these documents only at physical office locations. This change directly affects municipal electric utilities (like city-owned power systems) and benefits ratepayers by providing easier, digital access to pricing and service information. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate that these documents be published on a public website, in addition to maintaining physical copies at offices. The policy change aims to improve transparency without altering utility rates or service obligations.
HJR 863 is a Tennessee resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2350/S. 1137, which would allow states to use cell-phone jamming systems in prisons. The resolution highlights that federal law currently bans such jamming, leaving prisons vulnerable to smuggled phones used for drug trafficking, violence, and escape coordination - evidenced by 25,840 contraband phones found in state facilities in one year. The resolution emphasizes that the proposed federal law would permit jamming only with safeguards to avoid disrupting emergency 911 calls, and it cites bipartisan support from state attorneys general. This is a procedural resolution seeking federal legislative action, not a policy change itself.
SB 2519 updates Tennessee's consumer protection laws to allow identity theft complaint submissions (regarding security freezes) via electronic means approved by the Federal Trade Commission and Tennessee Attorney General, instead of requiring only written submissions or website filings. This change directly affects consumers who need to report identity theft or request security freezes. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections (including Titles 4, 7, 39, and 47) related to private data protection to align with federal electronic filing standards. The key mechanism replaces restrictive language with flexible electronic submission options through authorized federal channels. This simplifies the process for consumers while maintaining compliance with federal guidelines.
