Taxes, Real Property - As enacted, establishes the process for property tax assessment and valuation of multi-unit rental housing that receives a federal, state, or local incentive based on low-income renter restrictions. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 13; Title 48; Title 49; Title 67 and Title 68.
SB 539 establishes new rules for taxing multi-unit rental properties (four or more units) that receive federal, state, or local incentives tied to low-income housing restrictions, such as tax credits or rent subsidies. Property owners must notify local assessors by December 31 each year if their property has such restrictions, and assessors must value these properties using specific methods - including adjusting for rent differences between restricted and non-restricted units and excluding tax credits from valuation. The bill requires a higher capitalization rate (50-150 basis points above the national average) for these properties to reflect their reduced market value, with rules taking effect for tax year 2026. This directly affects owners of qualifying rental housing and property assessors statewide.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Signed May 22, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
16
Committee
12
Amendments
1
May 22, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0869)
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 0
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1162)
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 69, Nays 15, PNV 7
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 5, Nays 4 PNV 0
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/11/2025
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/11/2025
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 2/25/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Stevens
RRepublican
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