SB 2385 updates Tennessee's definition of "economically disadvantaged" students for school funding. It expands eligibility to include students directly certified for free meals (without household applications) and those from households receiving Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits. The bill requires the state to allocate additional funds to school districts if their funding decreases due to this expanded definition, ensuring they receive at least the same weighted allocation as the prior year. It also mandates the state to seek a federal ESSA plan amendment to reflect this updated definition, effective for the 2027-2028 school year.
HB 2642 creates an elected position for Hamblen County Attorney, replacing the previous appointment system. The county commission will now annually elect the attorney at its September meeting. The bill sets a $1,200 annual base salary (paid monthly) and allows additional reasonable compensation for legal services performed for the county, subject to county financial policies. It requires a two-thirds vote approval from Hamblen County's legislative body to take effect. This bill directly affects Hamblen County's governance structure and its county attorney's compensation.
SB 2404 deletes an ended 2023-2024 pilot program that provided grant funds to five local school districts for preschool initiatives, and removes a Tennessee preschool task force created to develop a strategic plan by June 2024. The bill amends state education laws (Tennessee Code Sections 49-6-109 and related titles) to eliminate these outdated structures. It directly affects the five school districts that previously participated in the pilot program and the task force members. The bill makes no new policy changes but formally removes existing, expired provisions from state law.
SB 2221 modifies TennCare ambulance assessment rules by extending the annual payment deadline for ground ambulance services from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027. It also changes the late payment penalty from $50 per calendar day to 5% of the unpaid balance per month. This directly affects ambulance providers enrolled in Tennessee's TennCare program who owe annual assessments. The bill replaces a fixed daily fee with a monthly interest-based penalty for overdue payments.
HB 2502 classifies international money transfers originating in Tennessee (sent outside the U.S. or its territories) as taxable services for licensed money transmission companies. It requires tax revenues from these transactions to be allocated as follows: 25% to the state general fund, 25% to counties for infrastructure projects based on population, 25% to a new K-12 teacher salary fund, and 25% to a law enforcement training pay supplement. The bill establishes a dedicated "international money transmission tax fund" to manage these revenues, with refunds available for taxpayers who apply between June 1-30 annually. This policy directly affects money transmission businesses operating under Tennessee's Money Transmission Modernization Act.
HB 2097 extends the deadline for ground ambulance providers to pay their annual assessment under TennCare from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027. It also changes the penalty for unpaid assessments from $50 per day to 5% of the unpaid amount per month. This bill directly affects ambulance providers in Tennessee who pay the annual assessment to TennCare. The key change simplifies penalty calculations by replacing daily fines with a monthly percentage charge, making the enforcement mechanism clearer.
SB 2166 would require licensed money transmitters in Tennessee (like Western Union or similar services) to pay sales tax on money sent from Tennessee to locations outside the U.S. or its territories. The tax revenue would be split equally: 25% to the state general fund, 25% to counties for infrastructure projects based on population, 25% to a new fund for K-12 teacher salary increases, and 25% to a law enforcement training supplement fund. The tax would apply to transactions starting January 1, 2027, if the bill becomes law. This directly affects businesses that handle cross-border money transfers within Tennessee.
HB 2643 restructures Winchester’s utility governance by creating a Board of Public Utilities with five members (including the Mayor as a standing member during their term). It establishes four-year terms for appointed members with rotating expirations, requires City Council approval for appointments and budget decisions, and mandates that utility rates and service charges be reviewed by both the Board and City Council. The bill specifies that utility revenues must cover operational costs, debt payments, system improvements, and a tax-equivalent payment to the city’s general fund, while prohibiting free utility services for city departments. This directly affects Winchester’s local government operations, utility rate-setting, and budget processes for water, wastewater, and electricity systems. The bill requires two-thirds approval from Winchester’s City Council to take effect.
HB 2385 clarifies that wastewater utility systems in Tennessee must provide a connection to property owners when the utility has a gravity sewer line *adjacent* to the property, not just when the line is physically on the property. This change directly affects property owners seeking sewer connections and the utility companies responsible for providing service. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-82-710(a)(1) and related chapters to update the language from "located on" to "located on or adjacent to" the property. The key mechanism is a simple wording correction to expand the requirement for utility connections. This is a procedural clarification, not a new policy or funding measure.
HB 2220 reconstitutes Tennessee's Arts Commission, replacing its current structure with a 15-member body appointed to represent all arts fields and geographic regions. It requires the governor to appoint nine members (one per congressional district), and legislative leaders to appoint one member per grand division (eastern, middle, western). Initial terms are staggered (3-5 years) to avoid all members serving full terms simultaneously, with subsequent appointments set at five-year terms. Members receive no salary but are reimbursed for necessary expenses related to their duties, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 2510 extends deadlines for counties bordering distressed rural counties to retain sales tax from commercial development projects. Specifically, it pushes back the application deadline from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2040, and delays the commissioner's approval deadline from June 30, 2031, to June 30, 2041. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 6, affecting local governments seeking to maintain tax revenue from designated commercial districts. These changes provide additional time for eligible counties to secure tax retention under existing law.
SB 2453 extends two key deadlines for counties bordering distressed rural counties related to commercial development district tax retention. It moves the deadline for counties to apply to retain sales tax from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2040, and extends the commissioner’s approval deadline from June 30, 2031, to June 30, 2041. These changes apply specifically to counties seeking to retain tax revenue generated from commercial developments within designated districts. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 6, to provide longer timelines for these administrative processes.
