Until July 1, 2026, this bill creates the artificial intelligence advisory council ("council"), the purpose of which is to recommend an action plan to guide awareness, education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the state's policies and goals and that supports public employees in the efficient and effective delivery of customer service. The council shall include definitive actions, policies, and investments needed to leverage artificial intelligence as part of the plan.
This bill requires the council to make specific recommendations for policy changes and investments for consideration to ensure that (i) awareness of artificial intelligence is promoted to support state employees with information needed for their decision making; and (ii) the state has clear usage policies that outline the acceptable use of artificial intelligence tools by state entities and employees.
MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS
This bill provides that the council consists of 15 members, including the commissioner of finance and administration, or the commissioner's designee; the commissioner of the department of human resources, or the commissioner's designee; the state's chief information officer, or the chief information officer's designee; the chairs of the finance, ways and means committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or their designees; the chair of the commerce and labor committee of the senate and the chair of the commerce committee of the house of representatives, or their designees; four members appointed by the governor; two members appointed by the speaker of the senate; and two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
This bill provides that the state's chief information officer serves as chair of the council, and must call the council's first meeting. A quorum for the council meetings consists of a majority of the appointed members.
REPORT
This bill requires the council to provide a report, including a recommended action plan framework, no later than six months from the first date of convening and a final report and recommended action plan no later than 12 months from convening. The report must include the findings and recommendations of the council and be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chair of the commerce and labor committee of the senate, and the chair of the commerce committee of the house of representatives.
ON APRIL 24, 2024, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2325, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 rewrites the bill to, instead, establish the "Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Act," as follows:
(1) Establishes that the purpose of the council is to recommend an action plan to guide awareness, education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the state's policies and goals and that supports public employees in the efficient and effective delivery of customer service. The council must include definitive actions, policies, and investments needed to leverage artificial intelligence as part of the plan;
CREATION AND COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL
(2) Creates the Tennessee artificial intelligence advisory council ("advisory council");
(3) Requires that the advisory council be composed of 24 members, as follows:
(A) The commissioner of finance and administration, or the commissioner's designee;
(B) The commissioner of the department of human resources, or the commissioner's designee;
(C) The commissioner of economic and community development, or the commissioner's designee;
(D) The commissioner of labor and workforce development, or the commissioner's designee;
(E) The commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee;
(F) The commissioner of commerce and insurance, or the commissioner's designee;
(G) The commissioner of safety, or the commissioner's designee;
(H) The state's chief information officer, or the chief information officer's designee;
(I) The state's chief operating officer, or the chief operating officer's designee;
(J) The attorney general and reporter, or the attorney general and reporter's designee;
(K) The director of the office of legislative information systems, or the director's designee;
(L) The chair of the finance, ways and means committee of the senate and the chair of the finance, ways, and means committee of the house of representatives, or their designees;
(M) The chair of the commerce and labor committee of the senate and the chair of the commerce committee of the house of representatives, or their designees;
(N) Seven members appointed by the governor. Such members may have an interest or be experienced in (i) local government; (ii) higher education; (iii) workforce development; (iv) a business in this state that is likely to be impacted by artificial intelligence; (v) an artificial intelligence developer or expert; (vi) a representative of academics with a concentration in technology policy; or (vii) a representative of the TBI;
(O) One member appointed by the speaker of the senate; and
(P) One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
JOINT CHAIRS
(3) Requires the chief information officer for the state and the commissioner of finance and administration to serve as joint chairs of the advisory council;
(4) In the event of a vacancy on the advisory council, requires the joint chairs to notify the respective appointing authority, who must then appoint a person to fill the vacancy;
(5) Requires the joint chairs to call all meetings and the advisory council to meet at least four times per calendar year. The joint chairs may establish subcommittees of the advisory council's members as necessary to ensure the council's effective and efficient operation;
(6) Establishes that the advisory council is attached to the department of finance and administration for administrative purposes;
ACTION PLAN AND REPORTING
(7) Requires the advisory council to submit an action plan to the governor addressing how to (i) position this state competitively to ensure its citizens capture the full economic benefit from artificial intelligence opportunities; and (ii) responsibly leverage artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of state and local government services;
(8) No later than May 1, 2025, requires the joint chairs to submit a status report on the council's activities and progress as of such date;
(9) No later than December 31, 2025 and by December 31 of 2026 and 2027 thereafter, requires the joint chairs to submit to the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report containing, at a minimum, the following findings for the respective years as of such dates:
(A) The current state of artificial intelligence and its likely impact on this state's labor market conditions;
(B) How the labor market impact might reshape this state's key industries, occupations, and foundational skillsets;
(C) Initiatives to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance talent development in the face of artificial intelligence-related changes;
(D) Recommended legal regulations or policy changes needed to ensure the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in this state, while protecting the rights of Tennessee citizens;
(E) Ways to encourage artificial intelligence innovation and entrepreneurship and strategies to support workers displaced by artificial intelligence;
(F) Proposed policy changes related to workforce development, educational systems, and research opportunities for colleges and universities in this state;
(G) An overview of the goals, benefits, potential uses, and limitations of artificial intelligence systems; and
(H) Recommended ways to promote transparency and accountability for the use of artificial intelligence technologies by measuring, monitoring and reporting outcomes and progress;
(10) No later than December 31, 2028, requires the joint chairs to deliver to the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives a final report and action plan containing, at a minimum, the following findings:
(A) Principles and values to guide artificial intelligence use in state and local governments;
(B) Governance framework with policies, procedures, and processes for the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence by state and local governments;
(C) Evaluation of potentially beneficial use cases for deployment of artificial intelligence tools and strategies by the state to improve government services;
(D) Risk analysis of potential threats to this state's key infrastructure from artificial intelligence technologies;
(E) Recommendations on how this state can support state and local government employees through the artificial intelligence transition;
(F) Recommendations on how to position this state competitively to ensure its citizens capture the full economic benefit from artificial intelligence opportunities; and
(G) Recommendations on how to responsibly leverage artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of state and local government services;
(11) Establishes that members of the advisory council receive no compensation for their service but must be reimbursed for official travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration;
(12) Requires all state departments and agencies to cooperate with the advisory council in carrying out its duties and provide support or other assistance as reasonably requested. The advisory council may consult with other persons and organizations with expertise related to artificial intelligence, government infrastructure, and economic development; and
(13) Establishes that the bill is repealed on December 31, 2028.