In one paragraph
Tennessee Public Chapter 1066 directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study artificial intelligence and report to the governor and both speakers by January 31, 2027. The study must assess AI risks to child safety, of death or injury and of property loss; explore ways to reduce them and review national, international and industry standards; look at ways to stop AI from giving dangerous prompts such as encouraging suicide or violent crime; and identify the risks of chatbots acting human or offering emotional support or health care. Introduced as a felony bill, it was rewritten into this study. 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 on businesses: it is a study. TACIR's report (due January 31, 2027) may lead to AI and chatbot legislation in Tennessee.
Key provisions
- TACIR must study AI and report to the governor, the Senate speaker and the House speaker by January 31, 2027
- Assess AI risks, including child safety, death or bodily injury, and significant property damage or loss, and explore ways to mitigate them
- Review national and international standards and industry best practices for addressing those risks
- Explore ways to regulate or prohibit AI from giving dangerous prompts, such as encouragement to commit suicide or a violent crime
- Identify the risks of chatbots engaging with users as if human and providing emotional support, mental health care or health care
- As introduced, the bill would have made it a Class A felony to knowingly train AI to encourage suicide or homicide, act as a companion or pose as a licensed professional; a House amendment replaced all of that with the study
- Passed the Senate 27-0 and the House 88-0 on April 23, 2026 (Senate concurred 26-4); signed May 22, 2026; Public Chapter 1066
Latest legislative action
May 27, 2026. Pub. Ch. 1066 (signed by the Governor May 22, 2026)
Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Becky Massey R | Sponsor | SD-006 |
| Ken Yager R | Sponsor | SD-012 |
Roll call votes (showing 3 of 7)
H Floor Vote: VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 4 BY ZACHARY PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION Apr 23, 2026
89 yea0 nayPassed
H Floor Vote: VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION Apr 23, 2026
88 yea0 nayPassed
H Floor Vote: VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 4 BY ZACHARY PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION Apr 23, 2026
81 yea7 nayPassed
Amendments (3)
-
SA0915 Not adopted 2026-03-30
-
SA1070 Not adopted 2026-04-20
-
SA1113 Not adopted 2026-04-23
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