Tennessee House Bill HB0418

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Refer: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/26/25
• Refer: 4/8/25
• Chaptered: 5/13/25
• Passed: 5/13/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 10-7-504, relative to comptroller survey records.

Impact

If enacted, HB0418 will modify existing laws pertaining to public records and data management in Tennessee. The amendment specifically targets the handling of survey data collected by the comptroller, which is significant in maintaining government accountability. By stipulating what constitutes public information versus private data, the bill aims to facilitate better management of survey records while ensuring that identifiable information remains confidential.

Summary

House Bill 418 (HB0418) proposes an amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 10-7-504, concerning the management of comptroller survey records. The bill focuses on the category of survey records and sets stipulations on how these records should be treated in terms of disclosure and privacy. It allows the comptroller to publish aggregate survey data and responses that do not reveal the identities of the individuals who completed the surveys. The intent is to balance the need for transparency in government surveys with the need to protect individual privacy rights.

Conclusion

Overall, the passage of HB0418 reflects an ongoing legislative effort to refine the balance between transparency and privacy in the management of public records in Tennessee. With increased attention on data privacy issues, the bill serves as a critical step toward ensuring that government practices are both responsible and transparent, but may also necessitate further discussions on how public accountability is best achieved.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB0418 may have included differing views on the extent of transparency required in governmental data collection processes. Proponents likely argue that this bill enhances public trust by allowing for the publication of aggregated data while safeguarding individual privacy. Critics, on the other hand, might express concerns that the limitations placed on survey disclosures could hinder accountability if crucial data is withheld from the public view.