Bill > SB1849

This bill, known as the "Fourth Amendment Protection Act," aims to prevent state and local governments in Tennessee from assisting federal agencies in collecting electronic data or metadata without a warrant. It prohibits state agencies, political subdivisions, their employees, and contractors from providing any support, using state funds, or participating in activities that help federal entities gather electronic information if that collection is not based on a warrant that specifically describes the person, place, and item to be searched or seized. Furthermore, it prevents the use of any information obtained by federal agencies through such warrantless collection in state criminal investigations or prosecutions. The bill also includes penalties for violations, such as denying state grant funds to local governments and potentially leading to the dismissal and permanent ineligibility for public office for state or local employees who knowingly violate its provisions, and contract termination and future ineligibility for businesses.