HB 1316 / SB 1297

This legislation is presented as a bill to prevent digital IDs from being used for voting, which is a necessary election integrity measure. However, the bill goes far beyond this by expanding Tennessee’s digital ID system and introducing biometric data collection into state law for the first time.

This bill updates and extends Tennessee’s existing digital ID law (TCA §55-50-306), a law that was first passed in 2015 and has remained unchanged. Instead of scaling back or repealing this digital ID system, the bill actually entrenches and expands it, adding provisions for biometric data collection, geolocation tracking protections, and third-party data management. While it does include some privacy safeguards, it still normalizes and codifies the use of biometric identifiers like facial recognition for digital driver’s licenses.

We oppose HB 1316 / SB 1297 because:

1. It expands digital IDs instead of eliminating them. The existing law should be repealed, not amended, especially given the growing concerns over digital tracking and centralized control of personal identification.
2. It allows biometric data collection. While the bill restricts biometric data to facial recognition for verifying identities, once enshrined in law, these programs often expand over time to include broader surveillance measures.
3. It does not end the push toward digital IDs but strengthens their legal framework. The bill still allows third-party entities to manage digital IDs, creating risks for personal data breaches and government overreach.

Tennessee should be moving away from government-issued digital identification systems, not expanding them. Instead of passing this legislation, the entire digital ID law under TCA §55-50-306 should be repealed to prevent the continued growth of this system.