Tennessee HB1642 removes the expiration dates for certain exemptions that allow public records to be kept confidential. This means that some records that were previously set to become public after a certain time can now remain private indefinitely. The bill amends existing laws regarding public records in Tennessee.
Supporters of HB1642 argue that the bill protects sensitive information from being disclosed inappropriately, which is crucial for maintaining privacy and security. They believe it allows for better management of public records that could potentially harm individuals or organizations if released.
Critics of HB1642 contend that removing expiration dates for public record exemptions undermines transparency and accountability in government. They argue that it could lead to excessive secrecy, preventing the public from accessing important information that should be available for scrutiny.
The analysis of Tennessee House Bill 1642, sponsored by William Lamberth, indicates a low risk of conflict of interest based on his personal financial interests. The bill focuses on amending public records exemptions, which primarily impacts government operations and data privacy. While Lamberth is employed by the State of Tennessee, this connection is broad and does not directly tie to the specific nature of the bill, which is about public records management rather than a sector that could directly benefit him financially. Additionally, his role as a board member of Volunteer State Community College does not present a direct conflict, as the bill does not specifically pertain to educational institutions or their operations.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Attorney | Lawyers/Law Firms | AI-researched |
| Employer | Partner at Lamberth, Cifelli, Ellis & Nason, P.A. | — | TN Legislature bio |
| Business Owner | Owner of Lamberth Consulting | — | AI-researched |
| Board Member | Board Member of Sumner County CASA | — | TN Legislature bio |
| Spouse Employer | Spouse employed by Sumner County Schools | — | AI-researched |
| Employer | STATE OF TN | Government | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | SELF EMPLOYED ATTORNEY | Lawyers/Law Firms | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | PORTLAND COMMUNITY CHAIRMAN from Jan 2026 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | UNITED WAY SUMNER CO BOARD MEMBER from Jan 2026 to current | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | VOLUNTEER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD MEMBER from Jan 2026 to current | Education | TN Ethics Commission |
| Occupation | Law, GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Occupation | Law, STATE OF TN | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | Leadership PAC: LAMBERTH PAC | — | TN Ethics Commission |
Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Tennessee General Assembly. Conflict analysis examines the sponsor's personal financial interests for potential overlaps with the bill's subject matter.
TN HB1642