Tennessee House Bill HB2548

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26
• Refer: 2/5/26
• Refer: 3/11/26
• Refer: 3/24/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 12, Chapter 3 and Title 66, Chapter 2, relative to protection of state assets.

Impact

The legislation specifically amends the Tennessee Code to include provisions that prevent state agencies from transferring interests in state-owned real property to foreign adversaries. It categorizes foreign adversaries as any foreign government or non-government entities designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The enforcement of this act would result in harsh penalties for individuals or entities that violate its terms, including substantial civil penalties and disqualification from future state transactions. As a result, the bill is expected to have significant implications for the procurement practices of Tennessee state agencies, potentially altering the landscape of technology sourcing at the state level.

Summary

House Bill 2548, known as the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, aims to safeguard state technology infrastructure by establishing strict guidelines regarding the interaction between state agencies and foreign entities deemed adversarial. The primary goal of the bill is to ensure that critical technology assets remain secure and are not controlled or influenced by foreign adversaries, thereby protecting national security and minimizing risks associated with foreign ownership of state assets. This encompasses a prohibitive stance towards establishing contracts with technology suppliers that are owned or controlled by foreign adversaries, particularly in relation to products that pose an unacceptable risk to national security.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB2548 have revealed notable points of contention regarding the balance between security and international trade. Some stakeholders express concern that the broad definitions of foreign adversaries might unintentionally hinder the state's ability to engage with beneficial global partnerships or to procure advanced technological products that are vital for state operations. Additionally, there is apprehension about the practicality of enforcing stringent procurement certifications, which could impose administrative burdens on smaller suppliers who may not easily conform to such requirements. Moreover, critics may argue that these measures could create barriers to competition in the technology sector.

Additional_notes

Ultimately, if passed, HB2548 is positioned as a necessary measure in the eyes of supporters to combat growing concerns about cybersecurity and foreign influence in critical national infrastructure, setting a precedent for how state laws engage with global technology suppliers.