Consumer Protection

The Tennessee Consumer Protection and Subscription Renewal Act aims to protect consumers by preventing businesses from requiring credit or debit card information for automatic renewal offers or continuous service offers that include a free gift or trial. This legislation seeks to make it easier for consumers to understand what they are signing up for and to avoid unwanted charges.

TN SB0302 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Robert Harshbarger (R), currently “Introduced” since January 27, 2025.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 53 of them sponsored by Robert Harshbarger.

Supporters of the bill would argue that it empowers consumers by providing clearer terms for subscription services and preventing hidden fees. They would frame it as a necessary step to enhance consumer rights and ensure that individuals are not unwittingly enrolled in costly automatic renewals.

Critics of the bill might contend that it could hinder businesses from offering promotional trials and disrupt the subscription model that many companies rely on. They may argue that it could lead to a decrease in consumer choice and limit the availability of free trials that benefit consumers.

The analysis of SB0302, which focuses on consumer protection related to automatic renewal offers and continuous service offers, reveals no direct conflicts of interest between the sponsor, Robert Harshbarger, and the bill's subject matter. Harshbarger is a pharmacist and the owner of Harshbarger Pharmacy, which operates within the pharmaceuticals and health products industry. However, the bill primarily addresses consumer credit and data privacy issues that do not directly relate to the pharmaceutical industry or the operations of his pharmacy. As such, there is no evident personal financial gain for Harshbarger from the enactment of this bill.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

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.