Tennessee Bills

HB 1793 creates Tennessee's "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," allowing property owners to automatically transfer real estate to designated beneficiaries upon their death. It directly affects Tennessee homeowners who wish to bypass probate for their real property by creating a simple, revocable "transfer on death deed" that must be recorded with the county register of deeds before the owner's death. Key provisions include: the deed must state the transfer occurs upon death, requires no consideration or beneficiary acceptance during the owner's life, and does not affect the owner's rights to sell or mortgage the property while living. The law ensures the property transfers directly to the named beneficiary without court involvement, while preserving the owner's control during their lifetime and not impacting eligibility for public assistance.

HB 1473 exempts private citizens and organizations in Tennessee from being required to recognize same-sex marriages, stating they are not bound by the Fourteenth Amendment or the *Obergefell* Supreme Court ruling. It specifically prohibits the attorney disciplinary board from sanctioning lawyers who decline to officiate same-sex weddings. The bill amends Tennessee law to create these protections, effective July 1, 2026. It does not affect government recognition of same-sex marriages or prohibit same-sex marriage itself, focusing solely on private sector obligations.

HB 1216 would increase Tennessee's minimum wage to $20.00 per hour or the federal minimum wage (whichever is higher), directly affecting most hourly workers and their employers across the state. Key provisions include requiring overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, allowing employees to sue employers for unpaid wages plus court costs and attorney fees, and aligning enforcement with federal Fair Labor Standards Act rules. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if passed, but failed in its subcommittee on March 19, 2025. It does not apply to workers already exempt under federal law.

SB 2272 would have expanded Tennessee's eminent domain law to include sidewalks, public greenways, bicycle lanes, pedestrian ways, and proper slope development as "public use" for transportation projects like roads and bridges. This change would have directly affected property owners near such infrastructure by broadening the circumstances under which governments could seize land for these specific features. The bill amended Tennessee Code Annotated Section 29-17-102 to add these provisions to the definition of "public use." The bill was introduced in February 2026 but was withdrawn before becoming law.

HB 1745 automatically restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" upon their release from prison or when their maximum sentence expires. It directly affects individuals who have completed sentences for such convictions, eliminating the need for a governor's pardon or special conditions to regain voting eligibility. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove current disqualifications for those no longer incarcerated for these crimes, requiring county election commissions to accept prison discharge documentation as proof of restored rights. This change applies to both state and federal convictions that would qualify as infamous crimes under Tennessee law.

HB 948 requires individuals convicted of domestic assault or subject to a domestic violence order of protection to surrender any firearms they possess to a law enforcement agency within 48 hours. They must then provide the court with a receipt from law enforcement and a completed affidavit of firearm dispossession within three business days. Law enforcement must issue a receipt at the time of surrender, and the court will require proof of compliance. The law applies to all such orders or convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

SB 1770 prevents divorce proceedings in Tennessee from being delayed solely because one party is pregnant. It requires courts to either determine paternity or have both parties agree on whether the other party is the parent of the unborn child. If paternity is confirmed, the court must also establish a parenting plan and child support order. This bill directly affects couples navigating divorce during pregnancy by streamlining the process and ensuring parental responsibilities are addressed promptly.

SB 1991, the "Junk Fee Prevention Act," prohibits businesses from using deceptive pricing practices that hide mandatory fees in Tennessee. It requires businesses to display the total price - including all mandatory fees - clearly before payment, disclose fee portions upfront, and avoid misleading subtotals or adding fees after selection. The law directly affects businesses in banking, travel, hotels, delivery services, ride-sharing, and car rentals, while protecting consumers from hidden charges that inflate costs. Key provisions ban practices like advertising low prices without total cost disclosure, charging unreasonable early termination fees, or presenting fees in small print. The act takes effect July 1, 2027, with exemptions for taxes, disclosed delivery fees, and bona fide errors.

HB 1101 authorizes Tennessee's governor to expand Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act, directly affecting low-income residents who currently lack coverage. The bill updates state law to allow the governor to negotiate terms with federal Medicare and Medicaid officials (CMS) for this expansion. Key provisions include removing existing barriers to Medicaid expansion and establishing the governor's authority to implement the program. This change would enable Tennessee to extend coverage to approximately 200,000 additional low-income adults, aligning with federal ACA requirements. The bill is pending in the Insurance Committee for further review.

HB 1879 protects certain nonprofits providing child welfare services from liability when they meet specific requirements. It directly affects nonprofits contracted by Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to deliver community-based care or child welfare services. The bill shields these organizations from claims related to employee or volunteer actions if they conduct required background checks, verify against abuse registries, report misconduct, enforce proper training (including child abuse prevention), and take corrective action. However, nonprofits remain liable for gross negligence or if they fail to substantially comply with these requirements, which must be directly linked to the harm alleged.

HB 1398 increases paid bereavement leave for Tennessee state employees whose children or stepchildren die, changing the allowance from three days to three months. This applies specifically to officers and employees of state agencies, boards, and departments, as amended under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8, Chapter 50. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing three-day leave provisions for other family deaths (e.g., spouse, parents). The change directly affects eligible state employees by providing extended paid time off during a significant personal loss.

HB 1399 would increase Tennessee's minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $20 for most covered employees, effective July 1, 2025. The bill requires employers to pay at least $20 per hour (exceeding the federal minimum wage), provide overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 per week, and post wage rules visibly in workplaces. Employees could sue employers for unpaid wages with triple damages, court costs, and attorney fees, with claims due within two years (or three years for willful violations). The law applies broadly to most workers but excludes those already exempt under federal law.