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.
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.
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.
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Local Government
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.
HB 2522 requires large commercial online platforms (with 10 million+ monthly U.S. active users) to implement systems letting users report unmarked or improperly age-restricted content harmful to minors. Platforms must acknowledge reports within 48 hours, review them within 7 business days, and take action like removal or age restriction. They must also publish semi-annual transparency reports detailing report volumes and resolutions, and face private lawsuits by parents if they fail to act on repeated reports - potentially resulting in $5,000 per violation. The bill targets platforms that permit harmful content without effective age verification, directly affecting major social media and app companies. The bill is currently in committee review (Commerce Committee) after initial filing.
SB 2348 requires Tennessee’s state board of education to recognize an advanced degree in media and technology as qualifying for a library information specialist endorsement. It sets specific staffing rules for public high schools (grades 9-12): schools with 750-1,500 students must employ a full-time specialist, while smaller schools (under 750 students) must have a part-time specialist or designate a teacher as a library coordinator. If the library is open during school hours without a specialist, a teacher or staff member must supervise students. The bill, which amends Tennessee Code Titles 10 and 49, takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting high schools and library staffing requirements.
SB 2395, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data instead of obtaining a warrant to access an individual's information. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, directly affecting government officials who handle personal data under existing warrant requirements. Key exceptions include emergencies (like life-threatening situations), consent from the individual, or federal law mandates. The law amends multiple Tennessee code sections to enforce this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 2586 expands Tennessee's existing reporting requirements for the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. It mandates that the council's 2026 and subsequent annual reports to the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker must now include specific recommendations on detecting and minimizing AI-facilitated fraud. This bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to add this new requirement to the council's reporting obligations, directly affecting the advisory council's work. The change focuses on strengthening oversight of AI risks without altering other aspects of the council's duties.
SB 2680 prohibits Tennessee electric utilities and high-performance computing (HPC) facilities from using transformers, parts, or equipment manufactured by entities owned or controlled by "foreign adversaries" (nations listed in federal regulations). The bill requires these entities to annually report equipment sources to the comptroller of the treasury, conduct internal audits, and submit findings by March 1. Noncompliant entities face 30-day correction notices, public posting of violations, potential license suspension by local governments, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. The law applies broadly to all public electricity providers and large HPC facilities using over 50 MW monthly.
HB 2410 (Tennessee) allows public schools and charter schools to install continuous video surveillance in special education classrooms to enhance safety, but only with written consent from parents of a majority of students in those classrooms. The bill requires schools to adopt policies governing footage retention and restricts access to recordings: parents may view footage for their child under privacy laws, and teachers may view it only if evidence of assault is suspected. It specifically applies to self-contained special education settings where 50% or more of students receive special education services during instructional time. The law takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, with funding intended to come from existing school safety grants.
