Tennessee Bills

SB 1376 prevents out-of-network ambulance providers from balance billing patients for emergency ambulance services covered under their health insurance plan. It caps patient payments at the lesser of their plan's in-network cost-sharing amount, the ambulance provider's full bill, or 325% of the federal Medicare rate for similar services in the area. Health insurers must count any payment made by the patient toward their deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. The law applies to health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

HB 723 amends Tennessee law to change the deadline by which the fiscal review committee must report inflation-adjusted criminal fine ranges. Instead of reporting by January 15, the committee must now submit its annual report by February 15, using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index data to calculate compounded cost-of-living adjustments for statutory fines. This bill affects all criminal offense classifications covered under Tennessee’s criminal codes (Titles 16, 36-40, 49, 55, and 65) by establishing a standardized process for periodically updating fine amounts to reflect inflation. The change only modifies the reporting timeline and calculation method - no current fine amounts are altered. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 1907 revises Tennessee's procedures for handling document requests involving the state retirement system (TCRS). It allows TCRS employees to provide copies of records (via microfilm, fax, or electronic means) instead of originals, accompanied by a custodian's affidavit confirming accuracy and authority. The bill specifies that custodians must appear in person only if a genuine dispute arises about record accuracy. It also updates rules for retirement benefit payments after death, ensuring payments for the month of death go to the retiree or beneficiary as applicable. These changes primarily affect court cases involving TCRS records and streamline administrative processes for retirement system staff.

HB 369 clarifies that school employees do not commit a criminal offense for altering, creating, or duplicating a student's grade in school records when the change results from the student retaking a failed course, exam, or assignment through a designated program. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-14-136 explicitly exempts such grade adjustments from the falsification of educational documents statute. The law directly affects school employees who update student records under retake programs, ensuring these routine administrative actions are not treated as criminal violations. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and amends TCA Section 39-14-136 and Title 49.

SB 1258 would change a Tennessee election deadline for municipalities requiring nonresident property owners to vote by absentee ballot. Specifically, it extends the filing deadline from 60 days to 75 days before an election, requiring such ordinances to be submitted to the county election commission by the new deadline. This directly affects Tennessee municipalities that adopt these specific voting rules for nonresident property owners. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and Title 41, solely to adjust this administrative timeline without altering voting eligibility or procedures.

HB 1978 modifies Tennessee's sales tax exemption process for warehouse construction by allowing the commissioner of revenue to issue exemption certificates for qualified building materials in both paper and electronic formats. This change directly affects businesses constructing, expanding, or renovating new or expanded warehouse or distribution facilities in Tennessee. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 6, specifically adding electronic certification as an option without altering the eligibility criteria for the tax exemption. It is a procedural update focused solely on administrative efficiency for tax exemptions.

HB 1853 amends Tennessee law to prohibit public schools and charter schools from selling, offering, or providing any food or beverage containing artificial food dye to students on school property. This expands the current ban (which only covered Allura Red AC/Red 40) to include all artificial food dyes. The change directly affects all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools operating under Tennessee's school nutrition program. The key mechanism is a simple amendment to the law's language, replacing "Allura Red AC" with "any artificial food dye" in the relevant statute.

HB 2501 is a procedural bill that amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16, by changing the deadline for a judicial districts advisory task force to submit its report. Specifically, it delays the submission date from January 1, 2027, to January 15, 2027. The bill does not alter the task force's responsibilities or create new policies; it only adjusts the timeline for an existing reporting requirement. This change affects the task force's schedule but does not directly impact citizens or change judicial district boundaries.

HB 315 creates "covenant marriage" in Tennessee as a voluntary option for couples who commit to a lifelong marital relationship. To enter a covenant marriage, couples must complete premarital counseling emphasizing lifelong commitment, sign a specific declaration (including a written promise to preserve marriage), and file it with the county clerk. Divorce is only permitted if one spouse proves the other committed a "complete and total breach" of the marital covenant, unlike regular divorce which has broader grounds. This applies to new marriages starting July 1, 2025, and existing marriages that later choose to convert to covenant status.

HB 889 modifies Tennessee's business tax filing rules by allowing business owners to have their authorized tax representative sign requests for extensions on tax returns, instead of requiring the business owner's personal signature. This change applies directly to businesses that use tax professionals or agents to handle their filings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Section 67-4-718(b), updating the signature requirement to include "the person's authorized representative." The policy change simplifies the extension process for businesses working with tax professionals, without altering tax rates or obligations. The bill is currently pending in committee review.

HB 2202 extends the deadline for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation commissioner to finalize boundaries of scenic river areas. It changes the timeframe from 24 months to 27 months after adding a river segment to the state scenic rivers system. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code (Title 11, Chapter 13 and Title 68, Chapter 211) to implement this timeline adjustment. This change directly affects the commissioner's process for designating scenic river boundaries under state environmental law.

SB 2428 requires Tennessee local governments (like cities, counties, and departments) to invite honorably discharged veterans to job interviews and give them hiring preference if their qualifications match another candidate's. It also extends interview opportunities to spouses of veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability or died in military service. The bill mandates that all local government job applications include an option for applicants to declare veteran status. These provisions apply to all hiring for appointments or promotions within local government entities.