In one paragraph
HB 1946 is the House companion of SB 1700, which became Tennessee Public Chapter 1082 after the House passed the Senate bill in its place on April 21, 2026. The law directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study how the state might regulate AI systems and generative AI chatbots: federal law, other states' approaches, constitutional limits, costs, economic effects, and safeguards for minors and mental health, including suicide prevention, with any recommendations for legislation. It began as the Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act. Signed May 22, 2026; effective immediately.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
No direct obligations: it is a study. Its findings may shape future Tennessee rules for AI chatbots, especially for minors.
Key provisions
- TACIR must study the potential regulation of AI systems and generative AI chatbots in Tennessee
- Covers existing federal law and pending federal regulation, and frameworks adopted or proposed in other states
- Evaluates constitutional issues (free speech, due process, federal preemption, interstate commerce) and the cost to state and local government, including enforcement
- Assesses economic effects on businesses, technology developers, schools and consumers, and reviews safeguards for minors and mental health, including suicide prevention
- TACIR publishes its findings and any recommendations for legislation to the governor, both speakers and the legislative librarian (a Senate amendment removed the January 31, 2027 deadline)
- As introduced, the Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act would have regulated companion chatbots directly; a Senate amendment replaced it with the study
- The House substituted SB 1700 for HB 1946 on April 21, 2026; SB 1700 was signed May 22, 2026 as Public Chapter 1082
Latest legislative action
May 27, 2026. Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1082
Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Harold Love D | Sponsor | HD-058 |
| John Clemmons D | Sponsor | HD-055 |
| Justin Pearson D | Sponsor | HD-086 |
| Karen Camper D | Sponsor | HD-087 |
Roll call votes (showing 3 of 5)
H Floor Vote: VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO DEFER Apr 21, 2026
65 yea17 nayPassed
H HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee Apr 15, 2026
27 yea0 nayPassed
H HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Apr 15, 2026
12 yea0 nayPassed
Amendments (3)
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SA0654 Not adopted 2026-03-11
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HA0860 Not adopted 2026-03-25
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HA1188 Not adopted 2026-04-15
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error