SB 136 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Local Government, General - As enacted, authorizes a member of a local government's legislative body to participate in a scheduled meeting by electronic means if the member is dealing with a family or medical emergency, has been called into military service, or is unable to attend in person due to inclement weather. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 8, Chapter 44.

SB 136 allows county and city council members in Tennessee to join legislative meetings online during family/medical emergencies, military service, or severe weather. Local governments must adopt this policy by a two-thirds vote, and online participation is limited to 20% of members (capped at three people) per meeting, with no more than two online appearances per member yearly. All meetings using this option must remain publicly accessible via live audio/video, with recordings available within two business days. The law, effective May 9, 2025, applies to both county and municipal legislative bodies.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Signed May 9, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025 · House Apr 21, 2025

How they voted

332
Passed
Total votes 35
Apr 9, 2025
D Democratic5
5 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican30
28 Yea 2 Nay
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
10
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 9, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0393)
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 77, Nays 10, PNV 5
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0382)
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 28, Nays 2
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 4/2/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 4/1/2025
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State & Local Government Committee
upper
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Richard Briggs
Richard Briggs
RRepublican
TN
7