HB 534 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tort Liability and Reform - As enacted, prohibits governmental entities or local boards of education from extending immunity granted to independent school bus contractors rather than independent school bus owners and operators for providing school-related transportation services; requires liability insurance coverage in a contract or agreement between a local board of education and an independent school bus contractor for such services to be in an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable law; permits evidence of such coverage to include a certificate of insurance from an insurance provider that lists the local board of education as an additional insured. - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 20.

HB 534 prevents Tennessee school districts from extending legal immunity to independent school bus contractors for transportation services. It requires school districts to ensure contracts with these contractors include liability insurance meeting state legal standards, with the district named as an "additional insured" on the policy. This directly affects school districts, independent bus contractors, and the liability coverage for school transportation services. The law clarifies that immunity cannot be extended to contractors, shifting responsibility to ensure proper insurance coverage.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action May 13, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

1010
Passed
Total votes 101
Apr 16, 2025
D Democratic23
23 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican78
78 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
10
Committee
11
Apr 16, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (101-0)
house
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/18/2025
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/18/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/11/2025
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Education Committee
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Education Committee - Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Iris Rudder
Iris Rudder
RRepublican
TN
39