Technology

died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1701: Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires each LEA and public charter school to install, maintain, and use, subject to parental approval, a video camera surveillance system in the special education classrooms operated by the LEA or public charter school to continuously monitor students, teachers, and staff in the classroom while special education or related services are being provided. - Amends TCA Title 10 and Title 49.

HB 1701 would require Tennessee public school districts and charter schools to install continuous video surveillance in special education classrooms, but only with written consent from parents of a majority of students in those classrooms. The bill mandates that footage can only be viewed by parents of featured students and must comply with privacy laws like FERPA. It applies to all special education classrooms where students receive such services for at least 50% of the instructional day. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn on February 2, 2026, and is not currently in effect.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates FERPA compliance for surveillance systems, requiring privacy protections in technology implementation for student data in special education classrooms.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2057: Internet and e-Commerce - As introduced, requires that if an account holder deletes the account holder's account on a social media platform, the social media platform shall delete all personal information pertaining to the deleted account or collected directly through the use of the social media platform through the deleted account by the account holder or another user. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

HB 2057 requires Tennessee social media platforms to delete all personal information linked to a user's account when that account is deleted. This applies to data collected directly through the account by the account holder or other users, but excludes de-identified data and publicly available information. The law preserves existing data deletion rules under Tennessee's Information Protection Act (TIPA) for users who don't delete accounts, and allows lawsuits for violations with potential damages, attorney fees, and injunctions. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, impacting both social media companies operating in Tennessee and their users who delete accounts.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires social media platforms to delete personal data upon account deletion, strengthening user data privacy protections under TIPA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1877: Privacy, Confidentiality - As introduced, prohibits a state or local government entity from requiring implantation of a microchip or other permanent identification marker as a condition to receive benefits or services, or participate in assistance programs, offered or otherwise provided by the entity; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 40; Title 47; Title 50 and Title 56.

HB 1877 prohibits all Tennessee state, county, municipal, and metropolitan government entities from requiring individuals to receive microchips or permanent identification markers as a condition for accessing benefits, services, or assistance programs. It defines "microchip" as a subcutaneous device transmitting personal data via radio frequency and clarifies that voluntary implantation for health-related monitoring or treatment remains permitted. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 40, 47, 50, and 56) to implement this ban across all government service contexts. This policy directly affects individuals seeking public assistance who might otherwise face forced identification requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits mandatory microchip implantation for government services, directly protecting personal data privacy and preventing unauthorized tracking via technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1847: Computers and Electronic Processing - As enacted, generally prohibits a municipality or electric utility to pay or absorb the cost of electrical infrastructure incurred to serve a data center; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13 and Title 65.

HB 1847 requires data center owners or operators (including for new construction, expansion, or upgrades) to pay the full cost of all infrastructure needed to support the data center, including utility infrastructure like power lines, substations, and cooling systems. This includes costs for utility infrastructure upgrades necessary to serve the data center without disrupting service to existing customers. The bill also mandates that electric utilities cannot pass these infrastructure costs to residential or other commercial customers through rate increases, ensuring existing customer rates remain unchanged due to data center operations. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to contracts entered into after that date.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires data center operators to cover full infrastructure costs themselves, removing financial barriers for tech infrastructure development without restricting services or privacy.85% confidence

died · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1831: Public Records - As introduced, creates an offense for using or selling an individual's personal identifying information obtained from a governmental entity for commercial use, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor. -

HB 1831 prohibits using or selling personal information (like home/work addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers) obtained from Tennessee government records for business purposes. It requires individuals requesting such records to sign an affidavit promising not to commercialize the data. Violating this rule is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine per person affected. The law does not apply if an individual explicitly authorizes the commercial use of their information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits commercial use of government-held personal data, strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1792: Highways, Roads and Bridges - As introduced, requires the commissioner of transportation to establish rules governing reimbursement of relocation costs to a utility; requires reimbursement of at least $2.5 million for projects with utility relocation costs exceeding $2.5 million; requires the department to approve a utility owner's plan to accomplish the proposed new location of utility facilities in highway rights-of-way if the proposal would effectuate the relocation at the lowest cost to the utility's ratepayers; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 54.

SB 1792 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to reimburse utilities for relocation costs when highway projects necessitate moving infrastructure like power lines, water pipes, or fiber optic networks. It sets a $2.5 million minimum reimbursement for projects exceeding that cost, while allowing higher payments at the commissioner's discretion. The bill clarifies that modern infrastructure - including broadband and fiber optics - is included under "utility" (aligning with current policy), and mandates the commissioner consider factors like ratepayer impact and project scale when approving reimbursements. This codifies existing practice without requiring new state funding, directly affecting utilities and highway construction projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state reimbursement for utility relocations, creating a new government expenditure under transportation budget. Aligns with funding essential infrastructure programs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly includes broadband/fiber optics as 'utility' for relocation reimbursement, protecting digital infrastructure during highway projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates reimbursement for utility relocations during highway projects, ensuring infrastructure moves without cost barriers, directly advancing transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1700: Consumer Protection - As enacted, requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study of the potential regulation of artificial intelligence systems and generative artificial intelligence chatbots in this state. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 37 and Title 47.

SB 1700, the "Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act," regulates companion chatbots that interact with minors under 18 in Tennessee. It requires operators to prevent chatbots from encouraging self-harm, violence, illegal activity, or secrecy, and mandates clear disclaimers that the user is not interacting with a human (at login, every 30 minutes, and when seeking regulated advice). Developers must also include mental health crisis referrals for users expressing suicidal ideation. The law directly affects companies developing or deploying companion chatbots targeting minors, excluding those used for customer service, internal business, or clinical settings under professional supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health crisis referrals for suicidal ideation, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots interacting with minors to prevent harm, requiring disclaimers and mental health referrals, aligning with consumer protection regulations for digital safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

in committee · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2028: Consumer Protection - As enacted, authorizes a small business that believes an online search engine has blacklisted the small business to contact the online search engine and request a response concerning the action; authorizes a small business affected by an online search engine's failure to comply with the response requirement to bring a civil action. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 29; Title 47 and Title 65.

HB 2028 requires business entities (like online platforms or search engines) that blacklist small businesses to provide written notice within 24 hours of the action. It directly affects small businesses (defined as those with 50 or fewer full-time employees) and business entities that remove them from search results, reduce their visibility, or delete 25%+ of their reviews. The notice must explain the reason for the blacklist, detail how the business can resolve it, and provide contact information for a representative. If a business fails to comply, affected small businesses can sue for actual damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, or court-ordered injunctions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to actions after that date.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires tech platforms to notify small businesses of blacklists with reasons/resolution steps, directly regulating platform behavior for consumer protection.90% confidence

Tags Small Business

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 1799: Internet and e-Commerce - As introduced, requires that if an account holder deletes the account holder's account on a social media platform, the social media platform shall delete all personal information pertaining to the deleted account or collected directly through the use of the social media platform through the deleted account by the account holder or another user. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

Tennessee's SB 1799 requires social media platforms (like Facebook or Instagram) to delete all personal information linked to an account when the account holder deletes their account. This applies to data collected directly through the platform by the account holder or other users, excluding publicly available information or de-identified data. The law creates a private right to sue platforms that fail to comply, allowing for damages, penalties, and attorney fees. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and excludes email services, cloud storage, payment platforms, and other non-social media services from its scope.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires deletion of personal data upon account deletion, strengthening user privacy protections with private right to sue for non-compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2052: Consumer Protection - As introduced, requires certain food retail establishments to use a nondigital presentation of price; prohibits a food retail establishment from using personalized algorithmic pricing; makes other changes related to food retail establishments. - Amends TCA Title 47 and Title 53.

HB 2052 requires large food retail stores (over 15,000 sq ft or over 85,000 sq ft with 10% food sales) to use physical price displays like stickers or signs instead of digital electronic shelves. It prohibits personalized algorithmic pricing that uses consumer data - such as protected class information (e.g., age, race, gender) or behavior-tracking data - to set different prices for individual shoppers. The bill defines "surveillance pricing" as using electronic surveillance (e.g., cameras, sensors) to customize prices based on personal attributes. These changes directly affect major grocery chains and food retailers operating in Tennessee, aiming to prevent data-driven price discrimination.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits algorithmic pricing using consumer data (e.g., protected classes), directly protecting data privacy in commercial tech use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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