Tennessee Bills

SB 470, the "Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act," creates a state grant program to provide portable walk-through metal detectors for school districts in Tennessee’s economically distressed or at-risk counties. The bill funds up to $48,000 per school district (covering three detectors at $16,000 each) for purchase, installation, and staff training, specifically targeting districts lacking resources for security equipment. Detectors must meet portability standards (modular design, IP54 rating) and be used during school hours and after-school events like athletic competitions. The program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Education, aims to address safety resource gaps in vulnerable communities through a pilot initiative starting July 2025.

SB 15 requires the Tennessee state government to cover the costs of autopsies for inmates who die while in state custody, as well as any necessary transportation related to those autopsies. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 41, Chapter 21, by adding a new provision mandating state payment for these examinations and associated transportation expenses. This change directly affects state correctional facilities and the state budget, as it establishes a new financial obligation for the government. The law takes effect upon becoming law, shifting responsibility for these costs from families or other entities to the state.

SB 222 changes Tennessee law to extend the deadline for sheriffs to share information about handgun permit applicants' truthfulness from 30 to 45 days. This applies specifically to sheriffs providing details to the Department of Safety regarding applications for enhanced handgun carry permits. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-17-1351, updating the timeframe for this information exchange. It directly affects sheriffs and the Department of Safety in their processing of handgun permit applications. The change aims to provide more time for sheriffs to verify applicant information before permits are issued.

SB 249 requires Tennessee state parks to offer resident veterans the same discounts for activities, retail purchases, camping, and lodging as those provided to state employees. It also establishes a separate 50% year-round discount for camping and overnight cabin lodging for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, contingent on providing documentation of disability and Tennessee residency. Veterans must present proof of veteran status and residency to qualify for the standard discounts, and additional documentation is required for the 50% disability discount. The bill amends Tennessee law and takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 373 requires the state to file and record final right-of-way acquisition plans with the register of deeds in *every* county where a highway project spans multiple counties. This applies to projects covered under Tennessee Code Sections 54-5-110 and related titles. The bill directly affects county recording offices, state transportation agencies, and property owners whose land may be acquired for such projects. It clarifies that multi-county projects must have separate filings in each affected county, rather than just one location.

SB 294 exempts qualifying Tennessee National Guard members from paying sales tax on the first $15,000 of a motor vehicle purchase, limited to one vehicle per five years. It applies only to vehicles registered in Tennessee and requires buyers to provide proof of active Guard membership and unit certification to sellers. The exemption covers sales tax on the vehicle's purchase price up to $15,000, not the full cost, and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects Tennessee National Guard members purchasing new vehicles for personal use.

SB 482 strengthens Tennessee's laws against non-consensual photography by expanding the definition of "unlawful photography" to include photos where the defendant knew the victim would be engaged in sexual activity. It upgrades penalties for this offense to a Class D felony (from a Class A misdemeanor or Class E felony) in specific cases, making the punishment more severe. The bill also allows courts to issue protection orders for victims who have been subjected to, threatened with, or placed in fear of such photography. This directly affects victims of non-consensual photo sharing and those who commit this act, creating clearer legal consequences and additional protections.

SB 473, the VALOR Act, would exempt Tennessee veterans with 100% service-connected disability (verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying certain fees and taxes. It removes the $10 fee for permanent sport hunting/fishing licenses, requires state reimbursement of local property taxes on a veteran’s primary residence, and eliminates vehicle registration fees for one private passenger vehicle, RV, or truck under 3/4 ton. The exemption applies to veterans who own and use their primary residence as their main home. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.

SB 163 increases penalties for reckless endangerment involving discharging a firearm or antique firearm into a motor vehicle in Tennessee. If the vehicle is occupied, the offense becomes a Class C felony (up from Class E); if unoccupied, it becomes a Class D felony. The bill directly affects anyone who fires a gun into a vehicle, raising criminal consequences based on whether occupants were present. It amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-103 to clarify these penalty levels, effective July 1, 2025. The change applies specifically to motor vehicles as defined by state law.

SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 117 deletes outdated references to a one-time August 2020 sales tax holiday from Tennessee’s tax code (TCA Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 3). The bill affects no new policies or taxpayers, as it only removes obsolete language about a past event. It amends Section 67-6-393 by deleting subsection (f), which previously referenced the expired tax holiday. This is a purely administrative update with no new tax obligations or exemptions. The bill has no substantive policy impact and is solely intended to streamline the tax code.

SB 430 urges the Tennessee Department of Revenue to study whether making franchise and excise tax credits transferable to entities beyond the original recipient would impact the state's economy. If conducted, the study must be reported to the Senate Finance Committee and the relevant House tax committee by January 1, 2026. This bill does not change current tax law but requests an analysis to inform potential future policy. The study would specifically examine economic effects of allowing credit transfers, without making any immediate policy adjustments.