Tennessee Bills

This House resolution commends Noelle Porterfield for her exemplary work as a legislative intern with the Tennessee Board of Regents. The bill formally recognizes her contributions during the 2026 legislative session, noting her role as a global honors student at Belmont University who assisted agency staff and supported the board's operations. It expresses appreciation for her dedication and performance while wishing her well in future endeavors.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally commends Ella Muncy for her exemplary service as a legislative intern with the Tennessee Board of Regents. The resolution recognizes her contributions to the legislative process and her work supporting the agency's staff and operations. It highlights her educational background, community involvement, and performance during the 2026 legislative session. The bill does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of her service.

SB 1758 amends Tennessee law to allow school bus drivers to meet annual medical qualification requirements by verifying they hold a valid federal medical certificate, instead of undergoing a physical and mental exam. The certificate must be issued by a medical examiner certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, confirming the driver meets federal standards for commercial motor vehicle operation. Local school boards would accept this verification in place of the traditional exam. This change applies to all school bus drivers under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 55.

SB 1951 extends the operational period for school buses used exclusively to transport students to after-school programs. It allows these buses to remain in service until the later of 20 years from their in-service date or 300,000 miles, up from the previous 18 years or 200,000 miles. The bill requires these buses to undergo safety inspections at least twice yearly and mandates written notification to the Department of Safety via certified mail once the extended limits are reached. Owners may continue operating such buses through the current school year after reaching the limit but must replace them by year-end. This applies specifically to conventional or Class D school buses designated for after-school transportation under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49.

HB 1820 requires any person elected or appointed as a Tennessee constable on or after August 1, 2030, to graduate from a Tennessee POST-approved law enforcement training academy. This requirement does not apply to individuals who have already served one full term as constable and are re-elected to the position after that date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 8-10-102(a)(1)(F) and related titles to establish this training standard for new constables. It directly affects future constable candidates in Tennessee, excluding re-elected incumbents with prior service. The law takes effect upon becoming law.

HB 1061 prohibits out-of-network ambulance providers from charging patients extra fees (balance billing) for emergency ambulance services covered under their health insurance plan. It directly affects patients using emergency ambulance services who are enrolled in health benefit plans, ensuring they pay no more than the lesser of their in-network copay, the ambulance bill, or 325% of the Medicare rate for similar services in their area. The bill requires health insurers to count patient payments toward their deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, and bans providers from asking patients to waive these protections. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for health plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

This House Resolution commends Kennedy Havard for her exemplary work as a legislative intern for Representative Johnny Shaw during the 2026 session. The resolution recognizes her contributions to the legislative process and acknowledges her background in student leadership, academic achievement, and community service. It formally expresses appreciation for her dedication and wishes her well in future endeavors. This is a ceremonial document that does not create new laws or change policy.

This bill is a non-binding resolution expressing the Tennessee General Assembly's support for the state's bid to host a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus from the U.S. Department of Energy. It urges Governor Bill Lee to submit a comprehensive response to the federal request by April 1, 2026, and declares legislative intent to take necessary actions to position Tennessee as the host. The resolution highlights Tennessee's existing nuclear infrastructure, including its history with the Manhattan Project, current nuclear facilities, and recent investments in nuclear energy development. As a statement of position rather than a law, it does not create new legal obligations but serves to publicly affirm the state's commitment to pursuing this federal opportunity.

This legislative resolution honors Malcolm Louis Wallace on the occasion of his 79th birthday by formally recognizing his contributions to his community and country. The bill directly affects Wallace, a Memphis resident who has served as a veteran, business leader, and community development professional for over 50 years. It does not create new laws or policies but instead serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of his career achievements and personal milestones. The resolution was adopted by the Tennessee Senate with unanimous support to present a copy to Wallace as a tribute to his service and dedication.

This Senate Resolution honors the Vintage901 Wine, Food and Music Festival on its tenth anniversary by formally recognizing the event and its organizers. The resolution acknowledges the festival's role as a community pillar that has grown since 2016 to support local culture, education, and philanthropy. It highlights the organization's scholarship programs for culinary and wine industry students and its financial contributions to various Memphis nonprofits. The measure serves as a commemorative gesture with no binding policy changes or budgetary impact.

This Senate resolution honors the Fayette-Ware High School Wildcats boys' basketball team for winning the Region 8 3A tournament and advancing to the state tournament. The measure formally acknowledges the team's athletic achievements and the contributions of their coach and community supporters. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial commendation from the Tennessee Senate.

This Senate resolution honors Impact Baptist Church and Ministries in Memphis on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary. It formally recognizes the church and its pastor, Dr. Michael C. Ellis, Sr., for their service to the community and the state of Tennessee. The resolution expresses congratulations and wishes the congregation continued success, but does not create any new laws or funding. It is a ceremonial document intended to acknowledge the church's history and contributions rather than to change policy.