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Committee advances AI protection bill that requires company risk plans and AG reporting
Summary
The committee approved House Bill 1898, which would require large AI companies to publish risk-management plans, report safety incidents to the attorney general (15 days; 24 hours for imminent death or injury), and strengthen safeguards for minors; vote was unanimous 20-0.
Deputy Speaker Zachary told the Commerce committee that HB 1898 aims to make Tennessee "a national leader when it comes to protections related to AI," describing the measure as an "AI protection bill." He said the legislation requires major AI firms to publish and implement plans for managing catastrophic risks and child-safety concerns and to continually update those plans.
Zachary described enforcement and reporting rules in detail: "If there is a safety incident, the frontier developer must report to the AG who has sole discretion of enforcement within 15 days. If the incident poses imminent risk of death or physical injury, the report must be made in 24 hours," he said. He added the Attorney General would have sole authority to bring penalties for violations. Sponsor and members emphasized the bill does not preempt future federal action and said the language was designed to align with recent White House guidance.
Committee members pressed on definitions of "frontier AI" and the scope of the Attorney General’s enforcement discretion; the sponsor said the amendment attached in subcommittee addressed questions about when substantial modifications require notification. The board vote was 20 ayes, 0 nays; HB 1898 was reported to government operations.
