Tennessee Bills

HB 2388 modifies how Carroll County allocates local education funds for school operations and maintenance. It requires the county to distribute these funds based on the "weighted full-time equivalent average daily attendance" (WFTEADA) of students whose primary residence is in Carroll County, rather than total attendance. This change specifically applies to counties that operate a county school system, have five or more special school districts, and include at least one special district with a virtual school. The bill excludes funds from local transportation tax levies and takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 2229 establishes a parole pathway for individuals convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment between 1995 and 2020, directly affecting roughly 1,300 Tennessee inmates currently serving life terms. The bill allows parole eligibility after 25 years if inmates meet specific criteria: avoiding violent misconduct for 10 consecutive years (saving 10 years), avoiding drug violations for 10 years (saving 10 years), earning a college degree (saving 10 years), or completing five mandated correctional programs (saving 5 years). If parole isn’t granted, life sentences automatically expire after 40 years of incarceration. The law applies retroactively to eligible inmates as of July 2026, with parole decisions mandatory upon meeting all requirements.

HB 2256 changes Tennessee's public charter school authorization rules. It prevents charter schools that had their charter renewed through the Tennessee Charter School Commission's appeal process from later agreeing with their local school board to have that board serve as their authorizer. The bill also allows the Commission to set charter renewal terms between 5 and 10 years (instead of automatically using a 10-year term) for schools renewed through Commission approval. These changes directly affect charter schools seeking renewal and local school boards that previously could serve as authorizers.

HB 2570, the "Healthy Tennessee Grocery Tax Reform of 2026," changes Tennessee's sales tax rules for food by exempting specific healthy items from taxation. It directly affects grocery shoppers and retailers selling these exempt items, as it removes sales tax from fresh produce, raw meats, eggs, certain grains (like flour and beans), bread, unsweetened cereal, dairy, and 100% fruit/vegetable juice. The bill amends tax code to explicitly exclude these items from taxable "prepared food" (which now includes sugary snacks and sodas), while expanding tax exemptions to cover staples like beans, lentils, and unsweetened cereal. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, aiming to reduce tax burdens on basic, unprocessed food items.

HB 2285 changes Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving split sentences (part jail time, part probation). It increases the maximum continuous jail time from one year to three years for such sentences, while requiring the state to cover all incarceration costs after the first year. This directly affects criminal defendants sentenced under these terms, particularly those serving split sentences in local jails or workhouses. The law amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314, effective July 1, 2026.

SB 2593 increases the time for municipal energy authority boards to fill director vacancies from 90 to 95 days. This applies to vacancies caused by a director's death, resignation, or removal. The bill requires boards to complete the appointment and gain governing body approval within the new 95-day period. It affects all municipal energy authorities in Tennessee operating under the specified Tennessee Code sections.

HB 2557 changes the annual reporting deadline for Tennessee's TennCare program regarding pharmacist-provided medication therapy management. Specifically, it shifts the date when TennCare must report to legislative health committees from April 15 to October 15 each year. This affects the reporting requirements for the medication therapy management pilot program, which directly involves pharmacists and TennCare. The bill only modifies the timing of this existing reporting obligation without altering the program's structure or eligibility.

HB 2100 removes a requirement for nonresidential substitution-based treatment centers (like medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction) to obtain a certificate of need starting July 1, 2026. This change affects treatment centers providing outpatient care for opiate addiction, eliminating a prior approval process for these facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 68, Chapters 11 and 985) to delete the certificate of need mandate. The policy change aims to reduce regulatory barriers for these treatment centers, effective July 2026.

HB 2460 increases the annual exemption limit for occasional child care programs from 14 to 21 days per year. This change applies directly to organizations (like community centers or schools) offering "Parents' Night Out" or similar special events without needing full state licensing. The bill amends Tennessee child care licensing laws (TCA Titles 4, 9, 49, 50, 67, and 71) to allow these programs more flexibility in scheduling. It does not alter licensing requirements for regular child care providers. The policy change is purely procedural, adjusting a numerical threshold in existing regulations.

HB 2298 amends Tennessee's aggravated assault law to include "brandishing" a weapon as an aggravating factor. It defines "brandish" as waving or exhibiting a weapon in a threatening manner that a reasonable person would interpret as a threat to use it. This change affects how prosecutors charge aggravated assault cases involving weapons and sets a clear legal standard for what constitutes brandishing. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-102 and adds a definition to Section 39-11-106, effective July 1, 2026.

SB 2664 amends Tennessee's aggravated assault law to include "brandishing" a deadly weapon as a factor that elevates an assault to aggravated assault. It defines "brandish" as waving or exhibiting a weapon in a manner a reasonable person would interpret as a threat to use it. This change directly affects individuals charged with assault involving weapon display, making such acts subject to harsher penalties under aggravated assault. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2665 requires Tennessee courts to mandate GPS monitoring as a bail condition for defendants charged with specific serious offenses - including those involving firearms, violence, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat crimes - unless the court documents in writing that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. It applies to cases where the defendant was arrested for one of these listed offenses. Courts must report monthly data on defendants under GPS monitoring to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual statewide report for legislative committees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.