Tennessee Bills

HB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require the Department of Commerce and Insurance to submit annual reports on health insurance coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency by January 31 each year. Previously, the reports were due "each year thereafter" without a specific deadline, but this change establishes a fixed submission date. The bill directly affects the agency responsible for filing these reports and ensures the public receives timely data on coverage for these conditions. This adjustment standardizes the reporting timeline without altering the content or scope of the required information.

HB 1818 requires Tennessee school boards that contract with external providers for student transportation to provide bus services to all enrolled students living more than 1.5 miles from their assigned school by the nearest accessible route. This applies specifically to districts using contracted transportation services, directly affecting students in those communities who would otherwise lack guaranteed transportation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 49-6-2101 and related education transportation laws to establish this requirement. It takes effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

HB 2073 amends Tennessee's lobbying law to clarify that local government entities - including school boards, municipal utilities, utility districts, and county or city agency departments - are deemed employers of lobbyists when they hire contractors or representatives for lobbying activities. Previously, these local entities were exempt from this classification under the law, but the bill removes that exemption. The change specifically states that only state government entities retain the exemption, meaning local governments must now comply with standard lobbying disclosure and registration requirements as employers. This directly affects how local governments manage and report lobbying efforts under Tennessee's lobbying regulations.

HB 1901 creates a tax credit for Tennessee brewers who donate spent grain (a byproduct of beer production) to agricultural uses like animal feed or composting. Eligible brewers can claim an 8-cent credit per pound of donated spent grain, capped at $30,000 annually or their total excise taxes paid. The credit applies against excise tax liabilities under Title 67 and requires donations to recipients within 100 miles in Tennessee. This directly affects craft and commercial brewers who donate spent grain, reducing their tax burden for supporting agricultural operations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.

HB 2046 directs the first $150 million in health insurance tax revenue (starting July 2026) to access federal matching funds for specific healthcare providers. It will reimburse physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who provide services like office visits, women’s health care, or anesthesia under TennCare. Reimbursement will cover up to 110% of Medicare rates for these services. This applies to TennCare payments for care provided on or after July 2026.

HB 1789 requires Tennessee public colleges and universities to classify military spouses and dependents of active-duty service members or veterans as in-state students for tuition purposes, regardless of whether they’ve lived in Tennessee for one year. This applies if the spouse or dependent resides in Tennessee while enrolled, maintains continuous enrollment, and meets citizenship or residency requirements. The bill amends state law to make this mandatory (replacing "may" with "shall") and expands eligibility to include military dependents living outside Tennessee. It takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year and applies to all public higher education institutions in the state.

HB 1722 would exempt 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 exemption applies only to standard retail sales, excluding transactions from micro markets or vending machines. The policy change would take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects grocery stores, restaurants, and other retailers selling eligible food products on the specified day.

HB 1997 expands Tennessee's sales tax exemption for aircraft repair services and parts to cover all aircraft types (including helicopters), not just large or transport category aircraft. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated §67-6-302 and related sections to replace "large aircraft" with "aircraft" and defines "aircraft" to explicitly include helicopters. This change directly benefits Tennessee-based repair companies performing work on all aircraft types that will be removed from the state after repair. The exemption applies to parts, equipment, and services used in repairing aircraft mainframes, engines, and accessories. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1711 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies and local governments to submit quarterly reports to a state immigration enforcement division about persons not lawfully present in the U.S., including arrests for immigration violations. It also mandates the Department of Finance and Administration to annually report the state's costs for public services - such as schools, prisons, hospitals, and social services - provided to these individuals, starting December 31, 2026. These reports must be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 4, 7, 8, and 9 to establish these reporting requirements.

HB 1761 requires Tennessee's state employee assistance program - providing mental health and wellness support - to be available to all active volunteer firefighters in recognized volunteer and combination fire departments, with the state covering all costs. It directly affects volunteer members of these departments, who previously may not have had access to such state-funded support. The bill amends two key sections of state code to expand eligibility and clarify program access, while also making minor technical updates to fire department reporting requirements. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2027, and aims to address mental health needs specific to frontline fire service workers.

HB 1835 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to apply for federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT) funds annually when the program is available. This would provide nutrition assistance via electronic benefits during summer months for eligible low-income children, ensuring continued food access when schools are closed. The bill amends state law (Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 71) to mandate this application process. It directly affects qualifying children in Tennessee who rely on school meal programs during the academic year.

HB 2086 would exempt the retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables for human consumption from Tennessee's 4% food retail sales tax, which currently applies to most food items. This change directly affects grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other retailers selling fresh produce, as well as consumers purchasing these items. The bill amends Tennessee law to specifically remove the tax on fresh fruits and vegetables while leaving the 4% tax in place for other food and food ingredients. The exemption would take effect on July 1, 2026, providing immediate tax relief for these commonly purchased items.