Tennessee Bills

SB 2568 would apply Tennessee's sales and use tax to advertising services purchased by large businesses with annual revenue of $100 million or more. This includes digital, TV, radio, billboard, print, and sponsorship advertising used to promote products or services. The law directly affects only the largest businesses in the state, exempting smaller companies. The tax would take effect on January 1, 2027, after rules are finalized by the Department of Revenue.

HB 2294 prohibits Tennessee governmental entities and prison contractors from blocking specific officials from entering correctional facilities housing non-citizens (aliens) for oversight purposes. The bill explicitly prevents denial of entry to U.S. Congress members, their designated staff, Tennessee state legislators, and their designated staff. It also bans making temporary facility modifications that would alter what observers see during oversight visits. This law does not require prior notice for entry in cases of riots, health threats, or outbreaks.

SB 2357 creates the Tennessee Council for Research of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Children, a 17-member body to study needs and improve services for these children. The council, appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, includes members with lived experience, family advocacy, and expertise in education, audiology, and ASL instruction. Its key duties include identifying demographic data (race, zip code, age) of affected children, recommending specialized language assessment tools, and proposing accessible evaluation practices compliant with federal disability law. The council must submit a final report with recommendations to inform future policy, though it will dissolve after completing this task.

HB 2482 changes how funding is distributed to adult high schools operated by nonprofits or for-profits under contract with Tennessee school districts. It requires these providers to report current student enrollment numbers to school boards at least three times yearly (August, December, April), and mandates school boards to adjust funding payments based on these reports (in October, February, June). This replaces the previous system where funding for subsequent years was based solely on the prior year's enrollment without regular updates. The bill applies to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after July 1, 2026, directly affecting contracted adult education providers and local school boards managing these programs.

HB 2094 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to allocate federal and state transportation funds equally to rural planning organizations (RPOs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) for transportation planning and projects. It directly affects rural communities and their planning groups by mandating that funding for rural transportation needs matches the level provided to urban areas. The bill amends state law to establish this parity requirement for all applicable federal and state funds applied for on or after July 1, 2026. This policy change ensures rural areas receive funding proportional to urban areas for road, highway, and bridge planning and implementation.

HB 2370 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to report to specific legislative committees about motorcycle rider education programs and safety fund spending. The report must include the number of participants in the motorcycle rider education program each year for the past three calendar years, and details on how funds from the motorcycle rider safety fund were spent during the previous three fiscal years. This bill does not change program rules or funding but mandates transparency for lawmakers. It is a reporting requirement, not a substantive policy change.

HB 1714 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to create a blue envelope for drivers with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The envelope will hold essential documents like a driver's license, vehicle registration, and contact card, and must include communication guidelines on the outside to help law enforcement officers interact appropriately. Starting January 1, 2027, these envelopes will be available at all driver services centers and county clerk's offices statewide. The bill amends Tennessee Code (Titles 38, 52, and 55) to implement this change, directly affecting drivers with these disabilities and officers responding to traffic stops.

HB 1830 prohibits railroad companies from allowing trains to obstruct specific railroad crossings for more than 30 consecutive minutes. These crossings are defined as primary access points for hospitals, residential neighborhoods, or occupied homes based on traffic counts. Violations trigger civil penalties starting at $1,000 for the first offense, increasing to $3,000 for repeat violations within 18 months at the same location. Collected penalties are allocated with 85% funding local railroad crossing improvements on county or municipal roads, while 15% covers administrative costs.

HB 1643 amends Tennessee law (TCA § 55-12-126) to require drivers whose licenses or registrations were suspended for failing to provide proof of insurance to maintain that proof for at least one year or the suspension period, whichever is longer. This directly affects drivers who lost their license or registration due to not having insurance, ensuring they keep proof for the extended period. The bill clarifies that the Department of Safety must release the proof requirement after the specified period ends, and if registration was suspended for this reason, it can be reinstated upon paying fees. The changes apply to offenses committed on or after January 1, 2027.

HB 1883, the "Super Speeder Accountability Act," requires intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices on vehicles for drivers convicted of repeated speeding offenses, such as reckless driving or drag racing where speed was a factor. These devices limit vehicle speed to posted limits, are tamper-resistant, and report disabling attempts. The bill creates a licensing system for device providers, allows for compliance-based device removal, and enables low-income drivers to seek assistance through an indigency fund. It applies only to noncommercial vehicles and focuses on high-risk drivers with license suspensions or revocations due to speed-related violations.

SB 2035 requires air medical communication specialists working for certain Tennessee flight programs to obtain certification within six months of starting their job. Specifically, they must be certified by either the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) or the International Association of Medical Transport Communication Specialists. This applies to flight programs accredited by CAMTS under its current or future standards, or those using the IATCS certification pathway. The bill creates a new requirement for these specialists' qualifications, directly affecting accredited air medical transport programs in Tennessee. It takes effect upon becoming law.

SB 2147 allows the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency to submit its annual reports electronically instead of by paper. The bill amends Tennessee Code (specifically Section 64-1-606) to permit electronic transmission of these reports. This change simplifies the agency's administrative process without altering report content or deadlines. The bill directly affects the agency's reporting requirements under state law.