Tennessee Bills

SB 1560 extends the sunset date for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame to June 30, 2030, by amending Tennessee Code sections related to the institution. The bill deletes an existing reference (subdivision (66)) and adds a new provision clarifying that the Hall of Fame was created under § 4-3-5403. This procedural update ensures the Hall of Fame's legal status remains active beyond its previous expiration date. The bill directly affects the administrative timeline of the existing Hall of Fame institution, not any individuals or new policies.

HB 1595 extends the expiration date of the Tennessee Sex Offender Treatment Board to June 30, 2034, ensuring the board continues operating until that date. The board, established under state law to oversee treatment programs for sex offenders, will maintain its current responsibilities without changes to its duties or funding. The bill also sets June 30, 2034, as the termination date for other state entities created in 2032, but this provision is separate from the board’s extension. This procedural change only affects the board’s operational timeline, not its functions or structure.

HB 1566 extends the authority of Tennessee's Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic expiration. The bill amends two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 12) to remove a reference to the board's sunset date and clarify its ongoing existence. This procedural change directly affects the board itself, ensuring it continues to oversee veterinary licensing and practice standards without new regulations. It does not alter veterinary practice rules or fees but maintains the current regulatory structure. The bill is currently pending in committee review for potential passage.

HB 1593 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's professional art therapist advisory committee (which advises the Board of Examiners in Psychology) from its original sunset date to June 30, 2031. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-252 to update the committee's sunset provision. This change ensures the committee continues operating to provide guidance on art therapy licensing standards without interruption. The bill directly affects the advisory committee and the psychology board they serve, preventing the committee from automatically dissolving.

HB 1599 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's State Board of Accountancy from its original sunset date to June 30, 2030. This procedural bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-251 to clarify the board's continued existence and reference its creation under Title 62, Chapter 1. The bill directly affects the State Board of Accountancy (which oversees licensed accountants in Tennessee) and the professionals regulated by the board. It makes no changes to the board's duties or regulations, only prevents its automatic termination.

SB 1544 extends the State Capitol Commission's term until June 30, 2031, by amending two sections of Tennessee law to remove an outdated reference and clarify the commission's creation. The commission, which oversees the state capitol building and grounds, will continue its operations without interruption. This bill does not alter the commission's responsibilities or structure, only the legal expiration date of its current term. The extension ensures ongoing management of the capitol complex without requiring new legislation until 2031.

This Tennessee bill establishes state authority over employment regulations by preventing local governments from creating rules that go beyond or conflict with state and federal employment laws. It directly affects local governments, their agencies, and employers by prohibiting them from adopting policies that require employment terms stricter than those allowed by state or federal law. The legislation amends existing state codes to clarify that the state legislature holds exclusive power to regulate employment conditions, with limited exceptions where state law explicitly permits local action. Once enacted, local governments lose the ability to enforce ordinances that impose additional employment requirements not authorized by higher-level laws.

HB 458 amends Tennessee's election laws to strengthen voter registration verification and alter voting procedures. It requires state election officials to monthly compare voter databases with federal/state databases (like driver's license records) to identify potential non-citizens, and allows registered voters to formally challenge others' registration eligibility with written grounds. New mail or online registrants must appear in person with ID to vote in their first election, while counties must now save digital ballot images at 600 DPI for public access after elections. The bill also updates absentee voting rules for seniors and mandates visible watermarks on physical ballots. Currently pending in committee review, it has not yet become law.

HB 1422 would allow the Town of Mason to appoint a town administrator (subject to local approval) who would handle administrative duties previously performed by the mayor. The bill amends the town's charter to require the administrator to manage town business, recommend service improvements, oversee personnel, maintain property records, and handle contracts and disbursements - reporting directly to the town board instead of the mayor. The mayor would retain voting rights on the board but lose executive duties like signing ordinances and managing day-to-day operations. The bill requires a two-thirds vote from Mason's legislative body to take effect. This is a procedural change to the town's internal governance structure.

This bill allows Tennessee residents who owe unpaid child support to apply for voter registration by entering a payment plan to catch up on those debts, rather than requiring full payment upfront to regain voting rights. It provides for provisional restoration of voting rights upon entering a payment plan, with courts able to revoke this provision if the plan is not followed - after offering court-appointed counsel and a hearing to address financial hardship. The law, effective July 1, 2025, applies to new voter registration applications and requires the Secretary of State to develop implementing rules with the Department of Human Services and courts. It directly affects individuals with outstanding child support obligations who seek to vote in Tennessee.

HB 796 requires Tennessee public utilities (water, gas, and electric providers) to allow customers to hire their own contractors for installing utility infrastructure, rather than mandating the utility do the work. Utilities may set reasonable construction and material specifications but cannot require specific vendors or manufacturers. The bill also sets a 30-day timeline for utilities to review customer plans (capping fees at $1,000) and states that unapproved plans are deemed acceptable if a licensed engineer certifies compliance within that timeframe. This directly affects utility customers seeking contractor choice and utilities managing infrastructure installation processes.

HB 793 allows Tennessee public schools and charter schools to deny enrollment to students who are in the U.S. without legal permission (referred to as "unlawfully present" in the bill). The bill amends Tennessee Code Titles 4 and 49 to explicitly permit schools to refuse enrollment for this reason, overriding other laws that might require enrollment. This directly affects schools' enrollment decisions and students without legal immigration status. The policy change is limited to enrollment eligibility and does not address other school services or requirements.