Tennessee Bills

SB 1742 redefines "hybrid electric vehicle" in Tennessee law to mean a vehicle propelled by both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (or other power source), excluding low-speed and medium-speed vehicles. This change directly affects vehicle registrants, dealers, and state agencies that classify vehicles under Tennessee's titling and registration system. The bill amends Title 55, Chapter 4 of Tennessee Code to clarify this definition in the existing legal framework. It does not create new taxes, fees, or regulatory requirements but ensures consistent application of the term for administrative purposes. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on defining terminology for vehicle classification.

HB 200 reduces the requirement for law enforcement officers to have two credible witnesses present when destroying illegal distillery equipment to just one witness. This bill directly affects Tennessee law enforcement officers and property owners involved in illegal distilling operations by changing the procedural step for equipment destruction. The key provision amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, Section 57-9-101(c), to replace "two (2) credible witnesses" with "one (1) credible witness." The change streamlines a specific administrative step without altering the underlying legal standards for equipment destruction.

SB 938 grants eligible Tennessee state employees six workweeks of mandatory paid leave when they become foster parents of a minor child. This applies to employees with at least 12 consecutive months of full-time state service, excluding certain boards/commissions. The leave must be used within 12 months of the foster placement and cannot exceed six weeks per 12-month period, even with multiple placements. The bill amends state law to explicitly include foster parenting under existing paid leave provisions, alongside birth and adoption leave.

HB 33 establishes a new rule for pretrial release in Tennessee: defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death are presumed not to be released on their own promise to return to court (personal recognizance). This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges during initial court hearings. If a judge decides to override this presumption, they must provide written reasons for each factor considered in their decision. The bill amends Tennessee law to take effect July 1, 2025.

SB 990 requires Tennessee's Office of Employment Verification Assistance to create and publish an annual report using existing resources. The report must detail the number of employers the office enrolled in E-Verify or checked for work authorization status on their behalf. This bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to labor and workforce development to implement this reporting requirement. The mandate takes effect on January 1, 2026, and applies directly to the state office managing these verification services.

SB 2337, the "Healthy Tennessee Grocery Tax Reform of 2026," removes sales tax from specific healthy food items while maintaining tax on highly processed foods. It amends Tennessee law to exempt fresh/frozen produce, raw meats, eggs, dairy, unsweetened cereal, 100% juice, and staples like beans, flour, and bread from sales tax. This directly affects grocery shoppers purchasing these items and retailers selling them, by reducing costs for healthy foods. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, shifting tax treatment to favor nutrient-dense foods over processed alternatives.

HB 2549, titled the "Foreign Agent Registration Act," requires individuals acting as agents for foreign governments or entities designated as "foreign adversaries" to register with Tennessee's Ethics Commission. It directly affects those engaging in political activities on behalf of such foreign entities, including lobbying state officials or influencing policy. Key provisions mandate registration within 7 days of becoming an agent, detailed reporting of business ties, political activities, and financial arrangements, plus quarterly disclosures of compensation and expenditures related to political work. Violations could result in penalties up to $500 per infraction, with the law aiming to increase transparency about foreign influence in Tennessee's political process.

HB 2548 creates two new laws: the "Critical Infrastructure Protection Act" and the "Protection of State Land from Foreign Adversaries Act." It requires state agencies to prohibit contracts with technology suppliers owned by foreign adversaries or using banned equipment listed by federal authorities, and mandates suppliers to certify compliance under penalty of perjury. The bill also prohibits state agencies from transferring state-owned land to foreign adversaries, their entities, or agents, requiring sworn statements from prospective buyers. These measures directly affect Tennessee state agencies and technology suppliers doing business with the state, focusing on securing infrastructure and land from foreign influence.

HB 1528 amends Tennessee wrongful death law to expand who can file such claims and adjust spouse abandonment rules. It adds unborn children (from fertilization, not just in utero) to the definition of "person" eligible for wrongful death claims, directly affecting families seeking compensation for prenatal loss. The bill also extends the time period for presuming a surviving spouse abandoned the deceased from two to three years before a wrongful death claim can proceed. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, would impact wrongful death cases involving prenatal injuries and spouse abandonment disputes under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 20 and Section 63-6-1102.

HB 1555 removes the $10 cap on court costs for drivers convicted of using wireless devices while operating a vehicle in Tennessee. It directly affects drivers who violate the existing ban on handheld device use while driving, requiring them to pay higher court costs and new state/local litigation taxes. The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA Section 55-8-199) to replace the previous cost limit with a provision for "court costs and state and local litigation taxes" for these violations. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying to violations occurring on or after that date.

SB 2068 requires Tennessee school districts (LEAs) to annually report by July 31 how many 7th and 8th graders received information about career and technical education (CTE) opportunities after taking a career aptitude assessment. The report must detail students who were provided this information following their grade 7 or 8 assessment during the prior school year. This affects all local school districts in Tennessee by adding a new data collection requirement focused on early career exposure for middle school students. The bill does not change CTE program offerings but mandates tracking student access to these resources.

SB 1794 requires owners of dogs classified as "dangerous" (due to unprovoked attacks causing injury or threatening behavior) to register the dog with local animal control within 30 days, keep the dog restrained on a leash or in a secure enclosure at all times, and obtain $100,000 in liability insurance. This applies directly to dog owners in Tennessee whose pets meet the legal definition of "dangerous." The bill creates a public registry of dangerous dogs and allows animal control to seize unregistered or non-compliant dogs, with owners facing fines or court-ordered destruction if they fail to comply. Owners can appeal classification decisions through the court system but must meet all requirements within the specified deadlines.