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Committee advances bill to bar procurement of final tech products from foreign-adversary-controlled companies
Summary
Sen. Rose presented an amended procurement bill prohibiting state procurement of finished technology products from companies controlled by nations designated as foreign adversaries (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia). The measure passed committee and will move to calendar; members clarified it applies to final products and not to all vendors or supply chains.
Sen. Rose explained an amendment that makes SB 3-77 a bill prohibiting the state from procuring final technology products from companies controlled by federally designated foreign adversaries under the U.S. Department of Commerce designation. He said the restriction applies to new and reprocured final technology contracts; current contracts would remain until renewal.
The sponsor clarified the list of designated foreign adversaries would include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Russia. He told the committee the bill is focused on procurement and not on broader commercial activity, and noted work with the Department of General Services and the University of Tennessee to refine language.
Committee members asked whether the measure would affect manufacturing and institutions such as Cirrus aircraft operations in Tennessee; the sponsor and the chair clarified the bill targets finished technology products controlled by foreign adversaries and does not prevent sale of components or non-final items from those countries when not a final procured product.
After discussion, the committee voted to pass the bill; the clerk announced the tally as six ayes and three noes and the bill is moved to the calendar.
