Technology

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2225: Consumer Protection - As introduced, authorizes the attorney general to establish a do not call registry; places certain restrictions upon telephone solicitations and robocallers; authorizes the attorney general to enforce restrictions and sets monetary amounts for penalties imposed by a court that makes a finding of a violation. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 47 and Title 65.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts robocalls and unsolicited telemarketing, enhancing consumer privacy protections through mandatory opt-out enforcement and attorney general enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 2251: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a virtual kiosk operator or other person to knowingly install or allow installation of, permit, place, or otherwise operate a virtual currency kiosk in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 12; Title 13; Title 29; Title 39; Title 45; Title 47 and Title 67.

SB 2251 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly install, operate, or permit a virtual currency kiosk (a machine that exchanges digital money like Bitcoin for cash) in Tennessee. It directly affects businesses running these kiosks and property owners who allow them on their premises. The bill defines a "virtual currency kiosk" as an electronic terminal facilitating such exchanges and specifies that violations carry misdemeanor penalties. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to actions occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts virtual currency kiosk operations by imposing misdemeanor penalties, directly limiting a technology application related to digital currency exchanges.90% confidence

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2621: Public Utilities - As introduced, requires the supervisory body of municipal electric plants to make the current schedule of rates and charges and all rules and regulations relating to electric service available to the public in an electronic format online. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7 and Title 65.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates online availability of public utility documents, promoting digital access and transparency for ratepayers through electronic formats.85% confidence

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passed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HJR 863: Memorials, Congress - Urges the U.S. Congress to enact H.R. 2350 (S. 1137), which permits states to deploy cell-phone jamming systems in prisons. -

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges federal law permitting prison cell-jamming to combat contraband phones, directly enhancing prison security and corrections management within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill seeks to permit cell-phone jamming in prisons to combat security threats (drug trafficking, violence), directly enhancing cybersecurity by preventing unauthorized communications.92% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2519: Consumer Protection - As introduced, updates the mandatory notice regarding security freezes to specify that identity theft complaints to the federal trade commission and attorney general and reporter may be submitted via electronic means as specified by the federal trade commission and the attorney general and reporter, instead of only in writing or via their websites. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 10; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 47; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllows electronic identity theft complaints via FTC/AG-approved methods, enhancing digital access for data privacy reporting under consumer protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2435: Libraries - As introduced, clarifies that the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022 does not apply to any materials in the Tennessee Electronic Library. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 1, Part 3 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

HB 2435 clarifies that the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022 does not apply to materials in the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL). The bill amends state law to explicitly state that the Act's requirements do not cover the TEL's digital resources, including e-books and research databases. This exemption ensures the TEL, which provides free online materials to all Tennessee residents, remains unaffected by the Act's age-appropriate standards. The bill only affects the TEL and does not change how the Act applies to other libraries or materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts Tennessee Electronic Library from age-appropriate restrictions, preserving student access to educational resources like e-books and research databases.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts Tennessee Electronic Library from age restrictions, ensuring open access to digital resources without barriers, supporting expanded internet access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2673: Economic and Community Development - As introduced, creates the "Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 7; Title 9; Title 12 and Title 67.

SB 2673, the "Automotive Supply Chain Resilience and Expansion Act," provides financial support to Tennessee automotive manufacturers and suppliers facing disruptions from federal tariffs or global trade instability. It creates a fund for grants to cover cost mitigation, inventory diversification, workforce retention, and capital investments, plus tax credits and low-interest loans (up to 30% of eligible costs) for domestic sourcing or technology investments reducing reliance on tariff-affected imports. The bill also expands export assistance for affected businesses and allows state procurement agencies to adjust contract rules to favor domestic suppliers impacted by trade disruptions. Additionally, it establishes a task force to monitor trade policies and report biennially to the legislature on sector impacts and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits and grants to automotive manufacturers, directly using fiscal tools to support industry resilience and reduce tariff impacts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly includes 'workforce retention' as an eligible grant purpose, directly supporting employment stability for automotive workers.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds technology investments for automotive supply chain resilience, reducing tariff reliance through domestic tech adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Incentives

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2393: Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires each LEA and public charter school serving students in any of the grades K–5 to adopt a policy governing the age-appropriate and instructional use of digital devices by students to minimize unnecessary screen time while preserving instructional effectiveness. - Amends TCA Title 49.

HB 2393 prohibits Tennessee public schools serving kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5) from allowing students to use digital devices at school, requiring teachers to use devices for instruction, or administering assessments electronically. The law directly affects K-5 students and educators in local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools. Key exceptions include compliance with disability laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), public virtual schools, and state-mandated assessments like universal screeners or dyslexia screenings. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not ban device use for all purposes but restricts it in core instructional and assessment contexts for young learners.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts digital device use in K-5 classrooms, limiting instructional methods and electronic assessments per bill's explicit prohibitions.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits K-5 schools from using digital devices for instruction, student access, or electronic assessments, directly restricting technology use in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2450: Newspapers and Publications - As enacted, requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study to determine if newspapers of general circulation remain the most efficient and effective manner for governments to provide the public with transparent and accessible information. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 8, Chapter 44.

SB 2450 allows Tennessee local governments (like cities and counties) to publish certain public notices online instead of in newspapers, starting July 1, 2027. Local governments must first adopt a policy and pass an ordinance detailing how electronic notices will be posted, ensuring they are free, accessible to all, and meet security and retention standards. The bill requires electronic notices to be available across common platforms without barriers, while maintaining newspaper publication for notices specifically mandated by law to be printed. Third-party websites hosting these notices may charge a reasonable fee for the service.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables digital public notices with security/accessibility requirements, advancing internet access and cybersecurity standards for government communications.90% confidence

Tags Local Government

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2616: Consumer Protection - As introduced, increases, from 60 to 65 days, the time that a controller has after receipt of an appeal from a consumer regarding the controller's refusal to take action on a consumer request under the Tennessee Information Protection Act to inform the consumer in writing of action taken or not taken in response to the appeal, including a written explanation of the reasons for the decision. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 39 and Title 47.

SB 2616 extends the response time for businesses (referred to as "controllers") under Tennessee's Information Protection Act. It increases the deadline from 60 to 65 days for businesses to provide written responses to consumers who appeal a denied request for personal data. The bill requires businesses to explain their decision in writing within this extended timeframe. This change directly affects consumers filing appeals and the businesses responsible for handling those requests.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends response time and mandates written explanations for data request appeals, strengthening consumer data privacy protections under Tennessee's Information Protection Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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