Tennessee Bills

HB 1389 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for airport authorities to report annual spending. It changes the requirement from submitting airport expenditure reports within 30 calendar days to 30 business days before the start of a new fiscal year. This applies directly to joint boards managing county or municipal airports, which oversee spending for public agencies operating those facilities. The change is procedural, providing more time for reporting without altering financial requirements or policy substance.

SB 1104 requires gun dealers in Tennessee to wait three days before transferring a firearm to a purchaser aged 17 to 20, starting from when the transaction is first initiated by the buyer. This law directly affects gun dealers and young adult purchasers in that age range. The key provision mandates a mandatory waiting period for these specific transactions, as amended to Tennessee Code Section 39-17-1316(c)(5). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all firearm transfers meeting the age criteria on or after that date.

SB 960 requires Tennessee county election commissions to include three non-binding questions about marijuana policy on the November 2026 ballot: legalizing medical marijuana, decriminalizing small possession, and legalizing recreational sales. The questions would be voted on by voters as advisory input, not binding law. The secretary of state must compile and publish the results online, then forward them to all state legislators. This bill directly affects voters in all Tennessee counties participating in the 2026 election and provides lawmakers with public sentiment data on marijuana policy. It does not change existing law but seeks to gather advisory voter input for future legislative consideration.

SB 1344 amends Tennessee law to allow retail package stores (liquor stores) to operate within the general services district of a metropolitan government, provided that government has approved off-premise liquor sales through a local option election. This change directly affects metropolitan governments that have held such elections and retailers seeking licenses in those areas. The bill removes previous restrictions by updating Tennessee Code Sections 57-3-106 and 57-3-205 to explicitly permit package store licenses in general services districts. It does not create new sales options but adjusts licensing rules to align with existing local election results.

SB 994 removes an outdated tax credit provision in Tennessee law that previously allowed businesses to claim credits for beer or ale destroyed in a specific May 2010 flood. The bill deletes Tennessee Code Annotated section 67-4-114, which related to this expired credit for flood-damaged alcoholic beverages. This change affects no current taxpayers, as the credit window (May 1-8, 2010) and the provision itself are obsolete. The bill makes no new policy changes but updates the code to eliminate redundant language. It has been introduced and referred to the Senate committee for further review.

HB 864 requires vehicle owners to provide proof of insurance or financial responsibility before registering or renewing a vehicle in Tennessee. It increases the fee for failing to meet these requirements from $25 to $50 for the first failure, $250 for a second failure within three years, and $500 for a third or subsequent failure. The bill allocates 50% of each fee to county clerks (with specific distribution details), while the remainder funds the uninsured motorist identification fund. This bill directly affects vehicle owners seeking registration and county clerks handling registration processes.

HB 1288 creates a new School Safety Grant Fund within Tennessee’s state general fund to provide financial support for schools that have experienced shootings or firearm-related incidents. The fund, administered by the Tennessee Department of Education, provides grants to local school districts and public charter schools to strengthen prevention, response, and reduction efforts related to school shootings. Grants prioritize schools based on documented need, including prior firearm incidents, availability of school resource officers, and financial resources. Schools must use these funds exclusively for school safety initiatives, and the Department must submit annual reports on grant allocations to education committees starting in 2026.

SB 632 bans specific assault weapons and certain modifications in Tennessee, directly affecting residents who own these firearms. It prohibits possession of listed assault weapons (including common rifles like AR-15s and AK-47s) and requires owners to apply for a certificate by July 1, 2025, if they owned such weapons before that date. The bill also creates a Class E felony for possessing or selling parts designed to convert semiautomatic rifles into rapid-fire weapons. These provisions aim to restrict access to certain firearms and components through specific bans and registration requirements.

HB 1040 would create the Tennessee Board of Professional Sign Language Interpreters to license interpreters serving deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing residents. The board would establish rules for issuing, suspending, or revoking licenses and set professional standards for interpreters. It requires the board to include representation from the deaf community (two members) and licensed interpreters (two members), plus one academic representative. This directly affects interpreters seeking licensure and Tennesseans who rely on sign language interpretation for communication access in healthcare, employment, and public services.

SB 1032 requires Tennessee state and local government officials (including police, inspectors, and wildlife officers), as well as federal officials working within the state, to obtain a search warrant specifically identifying the person or property to be searched before entering private property. This applies to most searches, but exceptions exist for situations where courts recognize a warrantless search is justified (such as emergencies). Officials who fail to comply without a valid exception face a Class C misdemeanor charge. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and amends multiple sections of Tennessee law governing searches.

HB 387 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition or accessory ownership, possession, or access. It also bans denying treatment or discriminating against patients based on firearm ownership, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations result in disciplinary action by the provider’s licensing board and a $1,000 fine per violation. The law applies to most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects patient-provider interactions in medical settings across Tennessee.

SB 962 requires local governments to mandate site assessments before approving new locations for facilities using 100 megawatts or more of electricity (like large data centers). Applicants must submit assessments examining noise impacts on homes and schools within 500 feet, while electric utilities must detail new power infrastructure needed for the facility. These assessments help localities evaluate projects against zoning laws, noise ordinances, and comprehensive plans. The rule applies only to new facilities, not expansions of existing sites that add under 100 MW.