Technology (Telecommunications)

This Tennessee House Joint Resolution honors AT&T's 150th anniversary by commemorating the company's founding and the first telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. The resolution expresses appreciation for AT&T's historical role in advancing telecommunications and its ongoing contributions to connectivity, broadband infrastructure, and economic opportunity in Tennessee. It does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal recognition of the company's legacy and impact on communication technology.

HB 2408 requires Tennessee's Public Utility Commission to include an annual report on telemarketing compliance in its regular report to state legislators. This report specifically tracks whether companies follow state rules about making unsolicited phone or text calls to home phone users. The bill directs this additional report to be sent to the chairs of two key legislative committees: the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. It does not change existing telemarketing laws but adds a new reporting requirement for the commission. The bill is currently pending review in the Senate Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.

SB 538, the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act," creates new protections for autistic young adults (ages 18-25) under court-appointed conservatorship. It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use online platforms to groom, sextort, or sexually exploit this group - defined as building trust to commit abuse. The law requires online platforms to implement policies preventing such exploitation and gives conservators/families tools to monitor online safety. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 311, the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act," creates new protections for autistic young adults aged 18-25 who are under legal guardianship (conservatorship). It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use online platforms to groom such individuals for sexual exploitation, sextortion, or trafficking. The bill also urges online platforms to implement policies preventing these harms and requires tools for conservators/families to monitor online activities. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 378, the "Tennessee Critical Infrastructure Protection Act," prohibits foreign adversaries from accessing or controlling Tennessee's critical infrastructure - including power grids, water systems, telecommunications, and transportation networks - by banning agreements that would allow such access. It directly affects companies and government entities managing these systems, requiring them to certify their access, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, and ban foreign nationals from adversary nations. Exceptions are permitted only if no alternative exists, the contract is pre-approved by the state, and the risk of non-approval outweighs the security threat. The bill establishes new registration requirements, fees, and security protocols to prevent foreign interference in essential state infrastructure.

HB 549, if passed, would create the "Tennessee Critical Infrastructure Protection Act" to restrict foreign adversaries from accessing Tennessee's critical infrastructure. The bill prohibits companies and government entities from contracting with foreign adversaries (countries listed under 15 CFR 791.4) for critical infrastructure projects that would allow remote access or control of systems like power grids, water supplies, telecom networks, or transportation systems. Exceptions are permitted only if no reasonable alternatives exist, the contract is pre-approved by the Department of Finance and Administration, and the risk of not contracting outweighs the security threat. Companies must also register with the Department of Commerce and Insurance, conduct background checks on employees with infrastructure access, and ban foreign nationals from adversary nations from such roles.