Tennessee House Bill HB2281

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Refer: 2/5/26
• Refer: 3/4/26
• Refer: 4/1/26
• Refer: 4/15/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 13; Title 3, Chapter 14 and Title 3, Chapter 7, relative to access to information.

Impact

Upon enactment, HB2281 would significantly streamline access to information for the fiscal review committee, requiring agencies to provide requested data promptly. Agencies will be subjected to specific timelines for disclosure, enhancing accountability and reducing delays in information access. This change is anticipated to improve governance by facilitating better-informed legislative decisions based on comprehensive data analysis.

Summary

House Bill 2281 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated covering several chapters related to access to information held by state agencies. The bill aims to enhance the fiscal review committee's ability to access records and information systems maintained by various state agencies. Specifically, it provides fiscal review committee staff with broad access to all agency data, encompassing programmatic, financial, contractual, and performance-related information, to ensure transparency and efficient oversight of government operations.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits of increased transparency, HB2281 has raised concerns regarding the confidentiality of sensitive information. Critics argue that granting broad access to fiscal review committee staff may jeopardize personal data and other confidential records held by agencies. Proponents of the bill counter that establishing clear protocols and safeguards will mitigate these risks while empowering oversight and legislative scrutiny of state operations.