Tennessee Bills

SB 419 increases caps on compensation for non-economic damages in Tennessee civil lawsuits. It raises the maximum payout for regular injury cases from $750,000 to $1.5 million and for catastrophic injuries (like severe burns or permanent disability) from $1 million to $2 million. The bill directly affects plaintiffs who win civil cases involving pain, suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, applying to cases filed on or after that date.

HB 1497 requires all Tennessee municipalities to hold local elections on the same dates as statewide August primaries or November general elections, instead of separate municipal elections. It makes municipal elections partisan (candidates run under political party labels), standardizes referendum timelines for new municipalities, and ensures election dates align with state election schedules. The bill also specifies that current officials' terms remain unaffected, and new municipal elections must follow the state’s August/November election cycle after initial adoption. These changes apply to all cities and towns in Tennessee through amendments to state election laws.

HB 1762 requires that deeds transferring real property in Tennessee be prepared only by an attorney licensed in Tennessee, a licensed title insurance agent, the property owner themselves, or a person legally authorized to act on the owner's behalf. It mandates that preparers must include a sworn declaration (for attorneys/title agents) or a notarized affidavit (for owners) verifying their qualifications, directly affecting anyone transferring property. The bill amends multiple state codes to enforce this rule, with exceptions for government deeds and certain financial institutions. It takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all property transfers after that date.

HB 2319 prohibits county government employees from serving on their own county legislative bodies (like county commissions). It directly affects current and future county employees who would otherwise be eligible to serve on local governing boards. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 5-5-102, to disqualify such employees, with a temporary exception allowing those already serving to complete their current terms. This change applies to all county-level local governments across Tennessee.

SB 1873 modifies Tennessee state employee employment rules, primarily affecting all state workers and hiring processes. It adds a new provision prohibiting applicants from using hiring applications to harass or intimidate staff (Section 7), and overhauls appeal procedures by removing executive service employees' right to appeal disciplinary actions (Section 12). The bill also deletes outdated sections about hiring classifications and existing appeal steps, replacing them with new rules for filing appeals within 14 days and limiting retroactive remedies to 30 days. These changes directly impact how state employees can challenge workplace decisions and how agencies conduct hiring.

HB 1219 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to create a pilot program placing free feminine hygiene product vending machines (for tampons and sanitary napkins) in women's restrooms or locker rooms at eligible public schools. It directly affects public schools in grades 5-12 that have Title I schoolwide designation and serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. The program prioritizes selecting at least two schools per grand division, with the department sourcing machines and products through partnerships or donations. The pilot begins for the 2025-2026 school year and applies only to participating schools, not all schools statewide.

HB 886 changes Tennessee election law by shortening the time candidates have to remove campaign signs, posters, or placards after an election. It reduces the deadline from three weeks to two weeks post-election, directly affecting candidates and campaign organizations. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, Section 2-1-116, to reflect this two-week period. This is a concrete policy change to the existing timeline for campaign signage removal, with no other provisions or impacts described in the bill text.

This legislative bill is a Senate Joint Resolution intended to honor Revolutionary War veterans buried in or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It aims to recognize these individuals and their families for their sacrifices during the American Revolution as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of appreciation from the Tennessee General Assembly. It was introduced in 2026 but was withdrawn shortly after being passed by the Senate.

This Senate resolution honors Revolutionary War veterans buried within or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. It acknowledges the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families during the nation's founding era. The bill encourages Tennesseans to recognize the contributions of these veterans as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary. It is a commemorative measure that does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

HB 2442 changes the notice period required for meetings of Tennessee's District Attorneys General Conference. It amends state law to require the conference president to provide members with ten business days' notice before calling a meeting, instead of ten calendar days. This adjustment affects the conference leadership and its members by altering the administrative timing for scheduling meetings. The bill makes a procedural change to the conference's meeting notice requirements without altering legal authority or policy substance. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 2480 creates five new social worker positions within Tennessee's public defender offices, effective July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects public defenders and their clients, particularly those needing social services support during legal proceedings. The key provision amends Tennessee Code (Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4) to establish these additional roles. The bill does not alter legal procedures or funding mechanisms but increases staffing capacity for social work services in the public defense system.

HB 2475 prohibits private schools participating in Tennessee's education account programs (including individualized education accounts and education savings accounts) or enrolling scholarship recipients from hiring or retaining employees who have been found to commit child abuse, severe child abuse, child sexual abuse, or child neglect. The bill requires the Department of Children's Services to conduct background checks upon school requests and disclose verified abuse findings or immediate safety threats to schools. It also bars schools from hiring individuals listed on Tennessee's vulnerable person's registry, sex offender registry, or similar registries in other states. These provisions apply directly to participating private schools and their employees, aiming to prevent individuals with substantiated child abuse histories from working in educational settings.