Tennessee Bills

SB 1929 requires individuals convicted of conspiracy, attempt, or solicitation to commit certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without reduction credits (like good time). It expands the existing list of offenses subject to this rule to include these preparatory acts for the same crimes already mandated to have full sentences. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying offenses that trigger the rule. This policy change affects people convicted of these specific preparatory acts for the designated crimes.

SB 2143 expands Tennessee's sales tax exemption for aircraft repair services and parts to cover all aircraft types - including helicopters - instead of only large or transport-category aircraft. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 67-6-302 and 67-6-313 by replacing "large aircraft" with "aircraft" throughout, ensuring tax exemptions apply to repairs performed by Tennessee-based companies on any aircraft (including helicopters) that will be removed from the state after service. This change directly affects Tennessee aircraft repair facilities by removing a previous restriction that limited the exemption to larger commercial aircraft. The policy update takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2051 adds Western Governors University (WGU) to the list of eligible institutions for tuition reimbursement under Tennessee's STRONG Act, which supports active members of the Tennessee National Guard. The bill amends the law to include WGU in the definition of "educational institution" for competency-based programs meeting specific criteria, such as regional accreditation, a Tennessee physical presence, and a state partnership. This directly affects National Guard members who wish to attend WGU and qualify for tuition reimbursement under the STRONG program. The bill does not change existing eligibility rules, credit limits, or academic requirements for the program.

SB 1734 reorganizes Tennessee counties into five population-based classes (instead of seven) to determine salaries for general sessions and juvenile judges, effective September 1, 2030. It establishes a new county litigation tax on each civil, criminal, juvenile, and traffic case filed in these courts to fund judge salaries, with salary levels tied to county size. Judges in counties with populations over 30,000 (Classes 1-3) must work full-time without outside employment, while judges in smaller counties (Classes 4-5) may work part-time with some restrictions. The bill also includes rules for consolidated courts and ensures judges' salaries remain stable if a county's population class changes after election.

SB 1626 requires Tennessee health insurance plans to cover clinical genetic testing for inherited cancer risks (for individuals with personal or family cancer history) and evidence-based cancer imaging (for high-risk individuals), as recommended by healthcare providers or National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. This applies to all health insurers in Tennessee, directly affecting patients seeking these specific cancer prevention and early detection services. The law mandates that this coverage must be provided without cost-sharing (no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance). The requirement takes effect for plans issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.

This Tennessee bill defines gold and silver coins as legal tender, meaning they can be used to pay debts or taxes within the state. It prohibits anyone from forcing another person to accept these coins as payment unless mutually agreed upon in a contract or authorized by law. The law applies to all individuals, businesses, and government entities engaging in financial transactions in Tennessee, clarifying that precious metal coins are valid tender without changing how most everyday payments are handled.

SB 1702 allows Tennessee counties with metropolitan governments (like Nashville) to either lower the sales tax on food and food ingredients below the standard local tax rate or fully exempt such sales. This applies specifically to metropolitan governments, not regular cities, and requires them to submit certified ordinances to the Department of Revenue for implementation. The reduced tax or exemption would take effect on October 1, 2026, for metropolitan governments, following a 60-day review period after documentation is submitted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 67-6-702 and 67-6-228 to create this tax flexibility.

SB 2080 directs the first $150 million in tax revenue from Tennessee's health maintenance organization tax (starting July 1, 2026) to draw down federal funds for specific healthcare providers. It requires reimbursement for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants who treat TennCare patients for evaluation, obstetrics/gynecology, or anesthesia services using designated medical billing codes. Reimbursement must cover up to 110% of the current Medicare rate for those services. The bill applies to TennCare reimbursements for services provided on or after July 1, 2026.

SB 2144 increases penalties for introducing or possessing contraband in Tennessee prisons. It raises certain violations from a Class C to Class B felony (if the act caused death), Class D to Class C (for specific contraband), and Class E to Class D (for telecommunication devices if death occurred). The bill directly affects individuals who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities, with higher penalties applying specifically when the violation results in another person's death. The changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-16-201 and 40 regarding prison contraband offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 1982 changes probation eligibility for defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm in Tennessee. It creates a rebuttable presumption that such defendants are not good candidates for probation, meaning courts would start with the assumption they don't qualify unless the defendant provides evidence to the contrary. This applies specifically to aggravated assault cases under Tennessee Code § 39-13-102 where a firearm was used or displayed during the offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

SB 1695 exempts the retail sale of food and food ingredients from Tennessee's sales tax when sold between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on the fifth day of every month. This applies to most grocery stores and food retailers but excludes sales from micro markets, vending machines, or devices. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects businesses selling eligible food items on that specific day each month. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 6, modifying tax collection rules for food retailers.

SB 1896 requires Tennessee school boards to provide school transportation for students living more than 1.5 miles from their assigned school by the nearest safe route, *only* when the board contracts with external transportation providers. This applies directly to students in districts using third-party bus services and mandates that school boards ensure these students have access to transportation facilities. The bill amends Tennessee education codes to clarify this requirement, specifically targeting scenarios where boards outsource transportation rather than operating their own fleets. It takes effect July 1, 2026.