Tennessee Bills

SB 2653, the "Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act," requires data centers in Tennessee with a power capacity exceeding 20 megawatts to obtain a permit before operation starting January 1, 2027. Operators must submit detailed information on water usage, sources, and impacts on residential, agricultural, and public water supplies, along with conservation plans. The review process prioritizes residential water access over industrial use and mandates public hearings, with the board evaluating wastewater discharge and coordination with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This act directly affects large data center developers and operators seeking to build or expand facilities in Tennessee.

SB 2554 requires Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury to submit the annual actuarial study of the TennCare program (which manages Medicaid for low-income residents) and related comments to legislative committees in electronic format instead of physical copies. This change directly affects the comptroller's office, legislative committees, and state agencies involved in reviewing TennCare's financial health. The bill amends multiple state code sections to formally allow electronic submission of these reports, streamlining the process for sharing the study's findings. It does not alter TennCare's coverage or funding but changes how the report is delivered to lawmakers.

SB 2214 amends Tennessee's Uniform Commercial Code to change which state law governs certain investment security transactions. It shifts the governing law from "the local law of the securities intermediary's jurisdiction" to "the law of this state" (Tennessee) for these transactions, directly affecting securities intermediaries (like banks or brokers) operating in Tennessee and their clients. Key provisions include removing prior jurisdictional rules, updating priority rules for claims between entitlement holders and creditors (Section 47-8-511), and modifying similar rules for commodity contracts. The changes simplify legal rules for investment transactions within Tennessee, taking effect July 1, 2026.

HB 2514 revises Tennessee's firearms laws by removing the offense of carrying a firearm "with intent to go armed" in K-12 schools, school buses, and university properties (when posted). It prohibits carrying firearms in K-12 schools/buses if the person intends to go armed, while eliminating similar restrictions for universities and colleges. The bill also rewrites rules around handgun possession while intoxicated, adds new definitions for "firearm" and "deadly force," and creates a legal presumption that threatening deadly force to defend property against unlawful entry is justified. It establishes immunity from prosecution for using justified force, including displaying weapons, unless the person knew the individual was a law enforcement officer or caused injury to an innocent bystander. These changes directly affect individuals carrying firearms in schools, campuses, or during property disputes.

SB 2209 would create a Tennessee "Do Not Call" registry, allowing residents to register their phone numbers to stop unsolicited telemarketing calls. It requires businesses to obtain written consent from consumers before making certain sales calls, with specific rules for that consent (including clear disclosures and no requirement to sign for purchases). The bill also bans robocalls (including prerecorded messages and spam texts) and authorizes the Tennessee Attorney General to enforce these rules, seeking court-imposed fines for violations. This directly affects telemarketers operating in Tennessee and protects residents from unwanted calls and fraudulent charges.

SB 2522 prohibits Tennessee banks, credit unions, and savings associations from converting customer funds into digital currencies (including cryptocurrency) without the consumer's express, written consent. The bill requires banks to obtain explicit written authorization before digitizing money held for consumers. Violations could trigger fines of up to $1,000 per incident or allow affected customers to sue for damages, including attorney fees. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026.

SB 2495 would establish a new minimum wage in Tennessee of $20 per hour, effective January 1, 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, the wage would automatically increase each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest five cents. Employers would be required to post the wage requirements in a visible location and would face civil liability for violations, including paying back wages plus additional damages. Employees could file claims within two years (or three years for willful violations) to recover unpaid wages. This bill directly affects all employers and employees covered under Tennessee's wage laws.

SB 2681, the "Bring Your Own Generation Act" (BYOG), requires large data centers and AI facilities in Tennessee with peak demand over 100 megawatts to generate 50% of their electricity from new onsite clean energy sources. It imposes a 100% surcharge on these facilities to fund grid upgrades for clean energy, with the revenue deposited into the Tennessee Environmental Protection Fund. The bill also prohibits using fossil fuel power purchase agreements for state economic incentives or state-subsidized fossil fuels for primary power at qualified data centers. This bill directly affects major data center operators and aims to accelerate clean energy integration without shifting costs to other utility customers. The bill is pending in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee as of March 2026.

SB 2392, the "Anti-Retaliation for Reporting Unsafe Work Act," prohibits Tennessee employers from retaliating against employees who report unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or other labor violations. Specifically, it bans discharge, demotion, or threats to report immigration status primarily due to such reports. Employees who face retaliation can seek reinstatement, back pay, and punitive damages for willful violations. The law applies to all employers covered under Tennessee Code Title 50 and takes effect July 1, 2026, for claims arising after that date.

SB 2246 extends the notice period for healthcare facility certificate of need applications in Tennessee from 15 to 30 days. This change directly affects healthcare institutions seeking to build or expand facilities (applicants) and those wishing to oppose such projects (opponents), requiring opponents to file written objections 30 days before commission meetings. The bill amends Tennessee law to require applicants' published notices in local newspapers to include a statement about this extended 30-day filing window for objections. The key provision streamlines the objection process by giving opponents more time to respond before commission hearings.

HB 2296 would require Tennessee courts to impose GPS monitoring as a condition of release for defendants charged with specific offenses, including domestic assault, vehicle burglaries, and offenses involving firearms or violence, unless the court makes a written finding that the defendant does not pose a threat to victims or public safety. Courts must report monthly to the administrative office of the courts on the number of defendants under GPS monitoring, and this office would compile an annual report for the legislature. The bill applies to cases such as domestic assault (under § 39-13-111), vehicle burglaries (§ 39-13-1002), reckless driving (§ 55-10-205), and repeat offenses. This policy adds GPS monitoring as a standard requirement for these offenses, with a safeguard to avoid unnecessary monitoring.

SB 1813, the "Tennessee Transactional Gold and Silver Act," recognizes physical gold and silver as legal tender for voluntary private transactions and for paying state/local taxes or fees if accepted by the recipient. It establishes a secure bullion depository for storing gold/silver and authorizes an electronic payment system to facilitate transactions using these metals. The bill exempts gold and silver transactions from state and local taxes, and requires that any electronic system using these metals must not enable government surveillance or social scoring. This law directly affects citizens, businesses, and state/local governments that choose to accept gold or silver as payment, while preserving the option to use traditional currency.