Tennessee Bills

HB 1518 creates a new pathway for Tennessee HOPE scholarship eligibility for transfer students. It allows students who were initially ineligible as freshmen (due to high school GPA or ACT scores) to qualify if they earn an associate degree through the Tennessee Promise program, maintain scholarship eligibility throughout their associate studies, and achieve a 3.0 GPA at their community college. The policy applies to students transferring to four-year institutions within six months of completing their associate degree. This change takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.

HB 1902 requires owners of dangerous dogs in Tennessee to register the dog with local animal control within 30 days, keep the dog restrained at all times (on a leash or in a secure enclosure), and carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance. It defines a "dangerous dog" as one that makes an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury or commits acts that cause a reasonable fear of attack. The bill establishes a public registry of dangerous dogs and outlines penalties for non-compliance, including potential seizure and destruction of the dog after a court order. This bill directly affects dog owners in Tennessee whose dogs meet the dangerous dog definition under the law.

HB 1685, the "Zero Estimated Exposure Policy Act," requires construction companies with no employees to formally notify their contracting partners in writing about their workers' compensation policy covering zero liability. It mandates that these companies provide the policy copy to all directly contracted entities, which must then retain both documents for three years (with homeowners doing work on their primary residence exempt from retention). The bill also requires insurers to obtain signed attestations from applicants confirming no employees and zero exposure, with penalties for false statements under Tennessee law. This directly affects construction service providers and their business partners in Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system.

HB 1468 prohibits businesses in Tennessee from setting prices for specific goods or services using "personalized algorithmic pricing" - a practice where algorithms adjust prices based on personal data about individual consumers. The bill directly affects most businesses operating in Tennessee (including retailers, service providers, and online platforms) but excludes insurance companies, financial institutions under federal law, and subscription-based agreements. Violating this rule would be treated as an unfair or deceptive practice under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subjecting violators to existing penalties and remedies like fines or consumer restitution. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not apply to price adjustments based on factors like mileage or trip duration in ride-sharing services.

HB 2056 requires Tennessee's cosmetology and barber licensing boards to replace applicants' Social Security Numbers (SSNs) with unique student identification numbers on all public-facing documents, such as hourly report forms and registration applications. This change directly affects cosmetology and barber students, instructors, and applicants who track instructional hours before taking exams or receiving licenses. The bill mandates that boards use these student IDs instead of SSNs for public reports until applicants complete their certification or licensing process. The policy change aims to reduce public exposure of SSNs while maintaining internal use of SSNs for administrative purposes.

HB 1646 requires Tennessee health insurance plans to cover specific treatments for acquired brain injury (ABI) starting January 1, 2027. It mandates coverage for 15 evidence-based therapies - including cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral therapy, community reintegration services, and vision therapy - without lifetime limits or unreasonable annual caps on sessions. The bill also directs the state insurance commissioner to create rules for an expedited appeal process if insurers deny coverage for these ABI-related services. This affects health insurers offering plans in Tennessee and directly benefits individuals with ABI who require these specialized treatments.

HB 1969 changes how mobile homes used as permanent residences are taxed in Tennessee. It revises the definition of "movable structure" to require that mobile homes classified as residential must be used *permanently* as a home, not temporarily or for commercial purposes. This affects mobile home owners and local tax assessors, as it prevents mobile homes used as primary residences from being taxed under temporary or commercial classifications. The rule applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, altering property assessment practices for these properties.

HB 1779 requires that notices of intended seizure of personal property to collect delinquent real property taxes must be sent to a taxpayer's last known address via certified, registered, or first-class mail. This directly affects Tennessee property owners with unpaid real property taxes, ensuring they receive verifiable notice before personal property (such as vehicles or belongings) can be seized. The key provision amends Tennessee law to specify these mailing methods, replacing vague requirements with clear delivery standards. The bill does not change tax rates, seizure eligibility, or the underlying tax process - only the method of delivering critical notice to taxpayers.

HB 1931 prevents county legislative bodies in Tennessee counties with charters from reducing a sheriff's budget below the previous year's level for personnel, benefits, or essential operations without the sheriff's written approval. It gives sheriffs the authority to approve or reject budget amendments that would cut these areas, and allows county legislatures to override a sheriff's disapproval with a two-thirds vote. The bill directly affects sheriffs and county lawmakers in charter counties, specifically protecting budget allocations for core sheriff duties. Key provisions include requiring written sheriff consent for cuts and establishing a formal override process for budget disputes. (HB 1931, Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5, Chapters 1, 9, and 8)

SB 1899 allows Tennessee public universities to suspend faculty members - including those with tenure - without pay while investigating potential termination. It directly affects tenured faculty and university leadership by permitting suspensions during termination proceedings. The bill also requires the Tennessee Senate and House to confirm appointments of university presidents and chief executives selected on or after July 1, 2026, with a 90-day confirmation window. If confirmation fails, the position becomes vacant. These changes apply to all public institutions of higher education governed by state boards.

HB 2060 prohibits Tennessee banks, credit unions, and savings associations from converting consumer funds into digital money like cryptocurrency without the customer's explicit written consent. It directly affects consumers whose money is held by these financial institutions, requiring banks to obtain prior authorization before using digital currencies. Violating this rule could result in fines up to $1,000 per violation or civil lawsuits where affected customers may recover actual damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1689 allows police officers to seize and hold vehicles used in drag racing for up to 72 hours if they have probable cause to believe the vehicle was used illegally. The bill requires law enforcement to notify the vehicle owner in writing within that timeframe, explaining the reason for the seizure and informing them of their right to request a hearing. Owners can challenge the seizure at an administrative hearing or in court within five business days, and if the seizure isn't justified, they may get their vehicle back or be reimbursed for fees. This law applies specifically to vehicles used in drag racing and does not change existing rules for vehicle forfeiture after a conviction.