Repost: Originally published April 2, 2026
Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be granted personhood in Tennessee will receive a full House vote after passing the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, April 1.
HB0849 by Rep. Michele Reneau would ensure that in Tennessee law, wherever the word “person” is used, it always means a human being or human-led entity, not any kind of AI.
In her explanation of the bill to committee members, Rep. Renau said, “The intent of this bill is simple, it’s just to ensure that AI does not qualify as a person under Tennessee law. They should not be able to sue for patents, copyrights, run for office, or claim rights, all of which are actually happening someplace in the world.
“Tennessee code does use the term ‘person’ in many, many places, and that word determines who can hold rights, who can enter contracts, bring lawsuits, or be held accountable under the law. This bill just clarifies what is not included in that definition and makes clear under Title I that the term ‘person’ does not include artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, software programs, computer hardware, or any other type of machine.”
There were no comments or questions from committee members, and they proceeded to vote 17-0, with two Democrats marking themselves “Present Not Voting”, in favor of sending HB0849 to the House Calendar & Rules Committee where it will be given a date for a floor vote.
The Senate companion bill, SB0837, is also awaiting a date for a full Senate vote after passing the Judiciary Committee last week. If both chambers pass the bill on the floor, it will move to the Governor’s desk to officially become law.
