2023 Tennessee Code › Title 48 - CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 48-1-101 — 48-250-115) › SECURITIES (§§ 48-1-101 — 48-1-201) › Chapter 1 - SECURITIES (§§ 48-1-101 — 48-1-201) › Part 1 - TENNESSEE SECURITIES ACT OF 1980 (§§ 48-1-101 — 48-1-128) › Section 48-1-115 - Administration

(a)
The administration of this part shall be vested in the commissioner. The commissioner, as authorized by the governor, shall appoint a director or assistant commissioner of securities and may delegate to such director or assistant commissioner of securities, by rule, such of the commissioner's powers and duties hereunder as are appropriate for the protection of investors and the efficient administration of this part.
(b)
The commissioner has the authority to employ attorneys, auditors, examiners, investigative agents, clerks and stenographers and other professional and clerical employees as the proper administration of this part may require.
(c)
The commissioner, or any persons employed by the commissioner, shall be paid, in addition to their regular compensation, the transportation fare, board, lodging, and other traveling expenses necessary and actually incurred by each of them in the performance of their duties under this part.
(d)
The revenues collected by the commissioner under this part are for the purpose of defraying a portion of the expenses incurred by the commissioner in the administration of this part. Such fees shall be payable in addition to other fees and taxes now required by law and shall be expendable receipts for the use of the commissioner in defraying a portion of the cost of the administration of this part.
(e)
(1)
It is unlawful for the commissioner or any of the commissioner's officers or employees to use for personal benefit any information which is filed with or obtained by the commissioner and which is not made public. No provision of this part authorizes the commissioner or any of the commissioner's officers or employees to disclose any such information except among themselves or when necessary or appropriate in a proceeding or investigation under this part.
(2)
No provision of this part either creates or derogates from any privilege which exists at common law or otherwise when documentary or other evidence is sought under a subpoena directed to the commissioner or any of the commissioner's officers or employees.
(f)
(1)
The commissioner may designate filing depositories for all records required to be filed and maintained under this part. These records may be maintained in original form or by means of microfilm, microfiche, microphotographic reproduction, photographic reproduction, word processing, computerization, or other acceptable reproductive methods.
(2)
The commissioner is further authorized to participate, in whole or in part, in the Central Registration Depository systems Web Central Registration Depository (Web CRD) and Web Investment Advisers Registration Depository (IARD), in cooperation with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) or any successor regulatory entity, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), other states, the United States, and other entities, to the extent the commissioner deems participation as being in the public interest and necessary for the protection of investors.
(3)
The commissioner is further authorized to participate, in whole or in part, in securities registration depository systems, in cooperation with NASAA, other states, the United States, and other entities, to the extent the commissioner deems participation as being in the public interest and necessary for the protection of investors.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 424,s 39, eff. 5/18/2017.
Acts 1980, ch. 866, § 15; T.C.A., § 48-16-115; Acts 1985, ch. 26, § 4; 1996, ch. 1072, § 7; 2001, ch. 61, § 14; 2010, ch. 697, §§ 1, 3; T.C.A. § 48-2-115.