Tennessee House Bill HB0481

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Refer: 2/5/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, relative to state government.

Summary

HB0481 amends Tennessee law governing the state cybersecurity council by adding one new appointed member: a state employee with experience in cybersecurity, appointed by the governor. The bill also updates the council’s membership provisions so that this new appointee, along with certain other listed appointees, serves as a nonvoting member of the council. In addition, the bill makes the new cybersecurity appointee eligible for reappointment, aligning that position with several other council seats that already have reappointment eligibility. The measure is narrowly focused on the structure and composition of an existing state advisory body rather than creating a new program or regulatory scheme.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-3-5501, which governs the membership and terms of the state cybersecurity council. Its practical effect is to expand the council by one governor-appointed state employee with cybersecurity expertise, clarify that the position is nonvoting, and authorize reappointment for that seat. The bill affects state government administration and the composition of an advisory body, but does not directly impose new duties on private parties or change substantive cybersecurity regulations.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available record. Based on the text alone, the bill appears technical and administrative, with a likely neutral to favorable reception because it adds cybersecurity expertise to a state council without altering voting power or broader policy authority.

Contention

The bill’s only apparent policy choice is whether to add a governor-appointed state employee with cybersecurity experience to the council and keep that seat nonvoting. Potential points of discussion could include the balance between expertise and representation, the governor’s appointment authority, and whether a nonvoting seat provides sufficient influence for cybersecurity input. However, no specific objections or supporters are identified in the available materials.