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HB 911

Consumer Protection - As enacted, revises one of the definitions of a "nonprofit organization" for purposes of the Tennessee Information Protection Act to mean a public utility organized or regulated, instead of only organized, under the laws of this state. - Amends TCA Title 47.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Johnny Garrett

Expands Tennessee data protection rules to include regulated public utilities, requiring them to meet nonprofit organization standards for customer information security and breach notification.

Pub. Ch. 201
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Bill Summary · HB 911

Legislative bill overview

HB 911 modifies Tennessee's Information Protection Act by expanding the definition of "nonprofit organization" to include public utilities that are either organized or regulated under Tennessee law, rather than only those organized under state law. This change affects how the data protection law applies to utility companies operating in the state.

Why is this important

Public utilities handle sensitive customer information including names, addresses, payment histories, and usage data. By clarifying that regulated utilities fall under nonprofit protections in the Information Protection Act, the bill ensures these companies must comply with specific data security and breach notification requirements. This directly impacts how utility companies protect millions of Tennessee residents' personal information.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The change from "organized" to "organized or regulated" could broaden applicability unpredictably, potentially covering out-of-state utilities with Tennessee operations in ways not originally intended
  • Compliance burden: Utility companies may argue the expanded definition creates regulatory overlap or duplicative compliance requirements alongside federal utility regulations
  • Nonprofit classification accuracy: Calling utilities "nonprofit organizations" for statutory purposes may be technically misleading, as many utilities operate as for-profit entities despite rate regulation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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