Tennessee Senate Bill SB0390

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Engrossed: 3/10/25
• Enrolled: 4/22/25
• Passed: 5/5/25
• Chaptered: 5/13/25

Caption

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

Impact

The implications of SB0390 can significantly enhance data privacy and protection measures within state law. By restricting the publication of identifying information in survey results, the bill helps to maintain participant confidentiality and instills public trust in the state's survey processes. Moreover, since this act takes effect immediately upon being signed into law, it establishes an immediate obligation for the comptroller to comply with these new data handling protocols. This change could foster more robust participation rates in future surveys, as individuals may feel more secure in their anonymity.

Summary

Senate Bill 390 (SB0390) aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 10-7-504, to modify the handling of comptroller survey records. This amendment addresses what survey data can be published by the comptroller of the treasury. Under the new provisions, survey responses and identifying information will only be shared in aggregate form, ensuring that individual responses cannot be linked to specific persons. This reaffirms a commitment to safeguarding the privacy of individuals who participate in surveys conducted for government purposes.

Contention

There are likely varying viewpoints regarding the amendment proposed by SB0390, particularly concerning the balance between transparency and privacy. Proponents may argue that preserving anonymity in survey responses is critical for ensuring honest and accurate feedback, which in turn leads to more effective governance. Conversely, some critics may contend that increased restrictions on published data could hinder transparency and accountability in government operations, particularly if aggregate data trends are less informative without some context provided by individual responses.