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Committee narrows discovery and updates biometric rules in consumer-protection bill
Summary
Representative Garrett presented HB 24-53 to update the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and Tennessee Information Protection Act; the bill narrows discovery in suits against state agencies, clarifies class-action language, strengthens ticket-price disclosure, and tightens the definition of biometric data; it passed committee 17–4.
Representative Garrett (speaker 6) described HB 24-53 as a package of updates to the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the Tennessee Information Protection Act. He said the bill tightens the scope of what constitutes biometric data (retina and facial-recognition examples were cited), streamlines voluntary‑compliance options the attorney general can use, and clarifies the class-action situation in light of conflicting federal case law. Garrett also said Section 3 narrows discovery in suits against a state agency so plaintiffs cannot broadly seek documents from unrelated state agencies unrelated to the merits of the complaint.
During questioning, Chairman Clemens and other members raised concerns about whether narrowing discovery might unduly limit plaintiffs’ ability to identify who was involved in state actions; sponsor Garrett said plaintiffs may still pursue discovery that is properly alleged in the complaint but the bill seeks to prevent broad, irrelevant fishing expeditions that bog down litigation. After discussion the committee voted; clerk reported 17 ayes and 4 noes and the bill advanced to calendar and rules.
