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HB1209 • 2026

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AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 31, relative to the artificial intelligence advisory council.

Privacy Technology
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Martin G, Watson
Last action
2025-02-12
Official status
Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the additional nonvoting member experts are appointed or what their roles would be.

Changes to Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council

This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated to increase the number of members on the AI advisory council and update its responsibilities regarding data privacy, security, and regulatory alignment.

What This Bill Does

  • Increases the number of members on the AI advisory council from a minimum of 24 to a maximum of 27 members.
  • Requires at least two of the seven governor-appointed members to have experience in artificial intelligence research or development.
  • Directs the council to identify best practices for data privacy and security for state agencies as part of its action plan.
  • Requires the council to compile an annual inventory of federal and state laws affecting AI, identifying overlaps, conflicts, and gaps that may hinder innovation.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Members of Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council
  • State agencies responsible for data privacy and security

Terms To Know

Artificial intelligence (AI)
A machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions that influence real or virtual environments.
Advisory council
A group of people appointed to give advice and guidance on specific issues, in this case related to AI.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the additional members will be selected or their roles.
  • It is unclear what actions state agencies must take based on the council's recommendations for data privacy and security best practices.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee

  2. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee

  3. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee- Government Operations for Review

  4. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

  5. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  6. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  7. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  8. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Present law requires the artificial intelligence advisory council ("the council") to be composed of 24 members. This bill inc
reases the number to at least 24 but not more than 27 members and requires two or three nonvoting member experts to be appointed.

This bill requires at least two of the seven
members appointed by the governor
to
have demonstrated experience in artificial
intelligence research or development, including in academia, private industry, or technology policy.
This bill additionally provides that the joint chairs of the council must
administer meetings and operations of the council in accordance with the quorum
requirements, voting procedures, and all other duties as required by law, as well as the charter of the council.

Present law defines "artificial intelligence" as models and systems capable of performing functions generally associated with human intellig
ence, including reasoning and learning. This bill removes that definition and, instead, defines the term as
a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions that influence real o
r virtual environments.
An
artificial intelligence system uses machine and human-based inputs to
perceive
real and virtual environments
, abstract
such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner
, and use model
inference to formulate op
tions for information or action.

ACTION PLAN

Present law requires the council to submit an action plan to the governor addressing certain items, including recommending legal regulations or policy changes needed to ensure the responsible and ethical use
of artificial intelligence in this state, while protecting the rights of citizens of this state. This bill adds that, as part of its recommended action plan,
the council
must
identify best practices for data privacy and security for state agencies
and whe
n recommending
best practices for AI data handling, privacy, and security
.

T
he advisory council
must
reference and comply with the requirements established in the enterprise artificial intelligence policy, or any such policy amended thereto
.

No later th
an December 31 of each year, this bill requires the council to,
in consultation with relevant state agencies, compile an inventory of existing federal and state laws, regulations, and executive orders that affect the development or use of artificial intell
igence in this state.
The inventory must (i) identify
any potential overlaps, conflicts, or gaps that may create barriers to AI innovation
, (ii) suggest
revisions or clarifications needed to harmonize AI-related laws and reduce unnecessary compliance burd
ens
, and (iii) evaluate how
proposed or existing regulations align with federal directives and recognized industry frameworks to ensure consistency and predictability.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SENATE BILL 1362
By Watson

HOUSE BILL 1209
By Martin G

HB1209
003308
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4,
Chapter 3, Part 31, relative to the artificial
intelligence advisory council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-3-3103(2), is amended by deleting
the subdivision and substituting instead:
(2) "Artificial intelligence" or "AI" mean a machine-based system that can, for a
given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or
decisions that influence real or virtual environments. For purposes of this part, an
artificial intelligence system uses machine and human-based inputs to:
(A) Perceive real and virtual environments;
(B) Abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an
automated manner; and
(C) Use model inference to formulate options for information or action.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-3-3104(b), is amended by deleting
"twenty-four (24)" and substituting "at least twenty-four (24) but not more than twenty-seven
(27)", and by adding the following as a new subdivision (17):
(17) Two (2) or three (3) nonvoting member experts, appointed pursuant to
subdivision (c)(6).
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-3-3104(c), is amended by adding
the following as new subdivisions:

- 2 - 003308

(5) At least two (2) members appointed by the governor under subdivision
(c)(14) must have demonstrated experience in artificial intelligence research or
development, including in academia, private industry, or technology policy.
(6) The joint chairs may invite additional AI private sector specialists or
academic experts to serve as nonvoting, advisory members, or to participate in
subcommittees, at the request of any member; provided, however, that the council does
not exceed twenty-seven (27) members. The council may invite to participate or present
before the council as many experts, entities, or individuals for testimony as the joint
chairs may require and approve.
(7) The joint chairs shall administer meetings and operations of the council in
accordance with the quorum requirements, voting procedures, and all other duties as
required by state law regarding advisory councils, as well as the charter of the
Tennessee artificial intelligence advisory council.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-3-3105(c)(4), is amended by
adding the following subdivisions:
(A) As part of its recommended action plan, the advisory council shall identify
best practices for data privacy and security for state agencies; and
(B) When recommending best practices for AI data handling, privacy, and
security, the advisory council shall reference and comply with the requirements
established in the enterprise artificial intelligence policy, or any such policy amended
thereto, as promulgated by the department of finance and administration, or a
subsequent state agency with jurisdiction over subject matters pertaining to the handling
of state information and data;
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-3-3105, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:

- 3 - 003308

(e)
(1) Not later than December 31, 2025, and by December 31 of each year
thereafter, the advisory council shall, in consultation with relevant state agencies,
compile an inventory of existing federal and state laws, regulations, and
executive orders that affect the development or use of artificial intelligence in this
state.
(2) The inventory compiled under this subsection (e) must:
(A) Identify any potential overlaps, conflicts, or gaps that may
create barriers to AI innovation;
(B) Suggest revisions or clarifications needed to harmonize AI-
related laws and reduce unnecessary compliance burdens; and
(C) Evaluate how proposed or existing regulations align with
federal directives and recognized industry frameworks to ensure
consistency and predictability.
SECTION 6. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.