House passes bill to give Secretary of State additional authority to block foreign-adversary business filings

The Tennessee House passed Senate Bill 306 on third reading, a measure sponsor Representative Martin said will give the Tennessee Secretary of State additional tools to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting the state's business-filing system.

Representative Martin described federal findings that North Korea had created businesses in other states to support its proliferation and workforce efforts, saying the bill "provides Tennessee Secretary of State the tool necessary to stop foreign adversaries from using Tennessee's business filing system to advance their dangerous agenda." He said the proposed authority would help stop false companies established in Tennessee on behalf of hostile foreign actors.

Formal action: Representative Martin moved passage of the Senate substitute and the House passed Senate Bill 306 on third and final consideration. The clerk recorded the tally as 92 yes; the presiding officer declared the bill passed.

Context and next steps: The sponsor framed the change as helping align state filing systems with national security concerns; the bill will proceed under the normal legislative process. No committee or implementation details were discussed on the floor.