Tennessee Bills

HB 2076 establishes a nine-member Tennessee K-12 nutrition task force to study the use of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in public school meals. The task force will measure how common UPFs and additives are in school breakfasts and lunches, review evidence linking UPF consumption to childhood obesity and metabolic health issues, and develop recommendations for replacing them with whole-food options. It must submit a final report to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2026, and dissolve on January 31, 2027. The task force members, appointed by legislative committee chairs and the education commissioner, cannot have ties to food or beverage companies. This bill directly affects all Tennessee public K-12 schools and their meal programs.

HB 1962 creates a strong presumption against granting probation to defendants convicted of aggravated assault involving a firearm. Specifically, if a defendant used or displayed a firearm during the assault (as defined under Tennessee law), the court must assume they are not suitable for probation unless the defendant proves otherwise. This rule applies to all aggravated assault convictions under § 39-13-102 and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of firearm-related aggravated assault by making probation significantly harder to obtain.

HB 1695, the "Tennessee Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act," authorizes the state treasurer to invest up to 10% of certain state funds (including the general fund and revenue fluctuation reserve) in Bitcoin, subject to strict security and reporting rules. Key provisions require Bitcoin holdings to be stored using a "secure custody solution" with multi-location encrypted hardware, multi-party transaction approval, and annual security audits, and limit annual purchases to 5% of the cap until reaching 10%. The bill mandates annual public reporting on holdings, dollar values, transactions, and gains, with verification via on-chain cryptographic proof. It explicitly prohibits investing in any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin and requires the state to develop internal self-custody by 2028. This policy directly affects how Tennessee manages its public investment portfolios.

HB 1933 requires Tennessee's Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study pay equity for assistant district attorneys general (ADAs) in the state. The study, to be completed by January 31, 2027, will examine whether ADAs' pay aligns with comparable roles and recommend potential changes. TACIR must use existing state resources and submit findings to key legislative committees, with no new funding mandated. This bill directly affects ADAs' compensation structure but does not change pay rates or implement new laws itself.

HB 1792 exempts from Tennessee's state sales and use tax the retail purchase of food and food ingredients that qualify for vouchers under the federal WIC program (Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children). This directly affects WIC participants and grocery stores selling WIC-eligible items, removing the sales tax on those specific foods at checkout. The exemption applies to all foods covered by the WIC program under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1786), excluding other food items not WIC-eligible. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 6.

HB 1765 upgrades penalties for violating lifetime protection orders from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony under specific conditions. It applies only when the violation involves a lifetime order (issued under TCA §36-3-627) and the original order was based on a conviction involving force against a victim. The law requires consecutive prison sentences for these violations unless a judge orders concurrent terms. This change affects individuals who breach such orders after a force-based conviction, increasing criminal penalties for repeat or severe violations.

HB 1540 exempts teachers employed by Tennessee public schools or charter schools from paying sales tax on school supplies, art supplies, and instructional materials priced at $100 or less per item when purchased for classroom use. It excludes computers, clothing, video game consoles, and items for personal or business use. Teachers must apply for a state-issued exemption certificate to verify eligibility, and retailers must document this exemption on sales records. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to items used for instruction, not personal consumption.

HB 1687 increases property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the reimbursement threshold from $175,000 to $200,000 of a home's full market value. This change directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who receive property tax relief under Tennessee law, allowing them to benefit from higher reimbursement amounts on their primary residences. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-5-704(a) to update the specified value in all relevant subsections. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2026.

HB 1542 would make it a crime to use a phone, computer, or other telecommunication device to fraudulently take someone else's property without their consent, with the intent to deprive them of it. This law directly affects individuals attempting to commit fraud through digital means, such as scams involving online transactions or phone calls. The bill specifies that telecommunication fraud would be punished as theft under existing Tennessee law, but with a minimum penalty of a Class E felony (the least severe felony classification). It amends Tennessee's theft statutes to explicitly cover this type of fraud, effective July 1, 2026, if passed. The bill does not create new penalties but ensures these digital frauds are treated as serious theft offenses.

HB 1486 would create a temporary sales tax exemption for food and food ingredients in Tennessee, specifically for residents aged 65 or older. The exemption applies to purchases made between July 1 and September 30, 2026, during which time these items would be tax-free. The bill excludes sales from micro markets or vending machines, and amends Tennessee’s tax code (Sections 67-6-228 and 67-6-393) to implement this change. This policy directly affects senior citizens in Tennessee who shop for eligible food items during the specified period.

HB 1508 amends Tennessee law to expand eligibility for a lifetime enhanced handgun carry permit fee waiver. It specifically adds retired law enforcement officers who served less than 10 years (but were POST-certified or had equivalent training at retirement) and retired due to a line-of-duty injury to the existing fee waiver program. The bill changes the qualifying criteria in Tennessee Code Annotated §39-17-1351 to include this new category of retired officers. This policy change directly affects qualifying retired law enforcement officers by allowing them to maintain their permit without paying annual fees.

HB 1530 would exempt groceries and food ingredients from Tennessee's state sales tax starting July 1, 2026, meaning consumers would no longer pay tax on these items at checkout. It directly affects grocery stores, restaurants, and other food retailers, as well as shoppers purchasing food, while modifying tax revenue distribution by removing a 0.5% education earmark and creating new local funding allocations based on exempt sales. Key provisions include revising tax code definitions to clarify what qualifies as "food," adjusting business tax requirements for food retailers, and ensuring counties/municipalities receive equivalent funding based on historical tax revenue from food sales. The bill does not change the overall tax rate but shifts how revenue is allocated.