SB 408 Tennessee Senate · 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.

SB 408 changes Tennessee law to ensure school bus contractors are held accountable for accidents during school transportation. It prohibits school boards or local governments from extending legal immunity to contractors (instead of the actual bus owners/operators) and requires contracts to include liability insurance meeting state law standards. The bill allows school boards to verify coverage through an insurance certificate listing them as an "additional insured," ensuring they can seek compensation if accidents occur. This directly affects local school boards and independent school bus contractors by shifting liability responsibility and clarifying insurance requirements.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 1, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

370
Passed
Total votes 37
Mar 3, 2025
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
9
Committee
5
May 1, 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 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 2/26/2025
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recalled from Senate Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Refer to Senate Transportation & Safety Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Paul Bailey
Paul Bailey
RRepublican
TN
15