Tennessee Bills

HB 220 expands the service area of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority to include Perry, Stewart, Houston, and Humphreys counties. The bill amends state code to replace specific river basin references with "authority service area" throughout the law, clarifying the expanded jurisdiction. Crucially, the authority may only provide technical assistance, engineering services, and project management support in the newly added counties - not full program implementation. This change affects county governments in the four new counties, which can choose to participate in authority programs through a majority vote of their legislative body. The bill updates all relevant legal references to reflect the expanded service area while maintaining the limited service scope for the new counties.

HB 1443, the "Caring for Caregivers Act," creates a pilot program to provide financial grants to family caregivers of Tennessee residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The program, running from 2026 to 2029, offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver to cover eligible expenses like home modifications for safety, medical equipment, and respite care. To qualify, caregivers must have an adjusted income below the state median (adjusted for family size), and the person they care for must live in a private home while needing help with at least two daily living activities. Grants prioritize very low-income households and are funded through state appropriations and donations.

SB 2397 creates the "Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act," establishing a state-run retirement savings program for employed Tennessee residents. The bill forms a Tennessee Retirement Savings Board (with 7 members, including employer and employee representatives) to develop and administer a voluntary, defined contribution retirement plan similar to a 401(k). The board will set investment rules, manage fees, and oversee the plan’s operations through the state treasury. This program directly affects working Tennesseans who can choose to contribute to the plan, with no requirement for employers to participate.

HB 1624 makes knowingly violating a no-contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole for certain domestic abuse-related crimes a Class A misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals convicted of offenses where the alleged victim was a domestic abuse victim under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code to clarify that violations of such orders - whether issued before release on bond or as part of sentencing - constitute a specific criminal offense. This changes the legal consequence from a general probation breach to a defined misdemeanor charge, effective July 1, 2026.

SB 1716 allows Tennessee public and nonpublic schools to administer any prescribed form of epinephrine (not just auto-injectors) to students experiencing severe allergic reactions. It updates school policy by removing the restriction to "epinephrine auto-injectors" in state law, enabling schools to use vials, syringes, or other forms maintained under physician protocols. Schools must keep epinephrine in secure, accessible locations and follow physician-approved standing protocols. The bill also clarifies that school staff and prescribing physicians won’t face liability for administering epinephrine in good faith during emergencies.

SB 1639 simplifies administrative requirements for Tennessee corporations and charitable organizations ending operations. It removes the filing fee for corporations submitting termination documents, extends the deadline for notifying the Secretary of State after stopping fundraising from 30 to 90 days, and eliminates the requirement for large charitable organizations ($1M+ annual revenue) to submit audited financial statements when ending fundraising. These changes directly affect businesses and nonprofits that cease operations or fundraising activities. The bill aims to reduce paperwork burdens without altering substantive regulations.

SB 1907 would provide a $50,000 annual annuity for five years to the estate of an electrical lineman who dies while performing job duties for a local government or its contractor. The bill defines "electrical lineman" as someone who installs, maintains, or repairs electrical transmission and distribution systems for local governments. It also adds "electrical lineman" to the definition of "emergency responder" in Tennessee law, ensuring these workers qualify for the same benefits as other emergency responders. This change directly affects estates of qualifying linemen and modifies existing statutes in Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, and 50 of Tennessee Code.

SB 1588 creates a security zone around Tennessee's state capitol grounds and surrounding government buildings (including the capitol, legislative offices, and court buildings). It requires the Commissioner of Safety to ensure adequate law enforcement staffing within this zone to protect state officials, employees, and the public. The bill mandates that assigned officers have specific training on protest laws and crowd management, and grants them concurrent law enforcement authority with local police. The measure takes effect January 1, 2027.

HB 1484, the "Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act," requires Tennessee district attorneys to submit reports within 24 hours to state and federal officials whenever they take specific actions (like plea deals, charge reductions, or case dismissals) related to felony cases stemming from Operation Viper or the Memphis Safe Task Force. It directly affects district attorneys in judicial districts where these federal task forces operate. The bill mandates these reports be submitted to the Attorney General, legislative leaders, the District Attorneys General Conference, and the relevant U.S. Attorney. The key provision creates a standardized reporting mechanism to increase transparency around prosecutorial decisions involving these specific law enforcement initiatives. This is a procedural requirement focused on accountability, not on changing criminal penalties or policies.

HB 1525 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentencing isn't warranted and would harm justice. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors, such as sexual offenses or abuse across separate incidents. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115, making consecutive sentencing the default for these cases. Exceptions are limited to specific judicial findings about case facts and the "best interest of justice," not general discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

SB 1717 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly violate a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole conditions following a conviction for a domestic abuse offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse crimes who break court-ordered no contact restrictions with the alleged victim. The bill amends Tennessee law to expand the scope of violations to include post-conviction orders (not just pre-trial) and clarifies that violations apply when the alleged victim is defined as a domestic abuse victim under state law. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 1649, known as "Matthew Davenport's Law," makes it illegal to possess, manufacture, deliver, or sell Kratom (including synthetic versions) in Tennessee, with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for possession to a Class B felony for selling to minors. The bill requires medical examiners to test decedents who died of suspected drug overdoses for Kratom, and mandates doctors to include Kratom testing in cases of suspected overdose or neonatal withdrawal symptoms in newborns. It also adds Kratom to the state’s definition of "drug" for regulatory purposes. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting individuals using Kratom, medical professionals, and law enforcement.