State Government - As enacted, prohibits the enforcement and recognition of requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum in this state or its political subdivisions. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 4.
Tennessee's SB 263, now law, prohibits state and local governments from enforcing or recognizing requirements from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), or World Economic Forum (WEF). The law specifically blocks these entities from mandating mask-wearing, vaccines, medical testing, or collecting personal data about residents through state or local actions. It declares such international mandates "have no force or effect" in Tennessee and requires state agencies to disregard them. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all state departments, counties, cities, and other local government entities.
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 27, 2025
Signed May 5, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Apr 17, 2025
How they voted
30–6
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 14, 2025
D
Democratic7
85% Nay
R
Republican29
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
7
Committee
3
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 72, Nays 25, PNV 0
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 25, Nays 6
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Joey Hensley
RRepublican
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