Tennessee Bills

HB 1053 would allow people in Tennessee who lost voting rights due to unpaid child support to temporarily regain voting rights by entering a payment plan for outstanding child support debts. It replaces a rule requiring full payment of all child support with a new option for provisional voting rights restoration through a court-approved payment plan. If someone fails to follow the payment plan, a court must provide legal counsel and allow them to present evidence of financial hardship before revoking voting rights. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to new voter registration applications after that date.

SB 1186 requires juvenile courts to allow children accused of delinquency or unruly behavior to wear GPS tracking devices when released before a hearing, with the monitoring company notifying the court-appointed guardian if the child violates release instructions. It also mandates that students expelled for threatening mass violence at school must complete counseling and a mental health evaluation before returning, regardless of expulsion completion. The evaluation must be conducted by approved providers on an outpatient basis, with results kept confidential except as required by law. Parents or the student (if 18+) are responsible for the costs of these required services. The bill amends Tennessee laws related to juvenile justice and school discipline.

SB 662 creates a legal presumption that defendants charged with specific serious crimes must undergo emergency mental health evaluations if a court has already ordered such evaluations to assess competency or mental state at the time of the crime. It applies to offenses where, if convicted, the person would serve at least 85% of their sentence before release eligibility. The presumption can only be overturned with "clear and convincing evidence" that the person does not pose an imminent substantial risk of serious harm. This bill modifies Tennessee's mental health evaluation procedures under Titles 33, 40, and 52 of state law.

HB 1441 raises the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a violent crime. It maintains the current misdemeanor penalty for impersonation while driving a vehicle (with a $5,000 fine maximum) and for other non-violent cases. The bill specifically targets individuals who use impersonation as part of violent criminal activity, making the offense a felony under those circumstances. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 1442, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers to remove masks or face coverings during public interactions while on duty, except for N95 masks used to prevent disease transmission or smoke masks during natural disasters. It also mandates that officers visibly display their name or badge number at all times during public interactions. Violating these requirements would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and the law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating within Tennessee.

SB 1466 would authorize recall elections for Tennessee local elected officials, including mayors, sheriffs, school board members, and county clerks. To initiate a recall, petitioners must collect signatures from 66% of voters who cast ballots for that office in the previous election, with specific requirements for the petition's content and a sworn affidavit verifying signatures. If the petition is approved, a special election is held where voters decide by majority vote whether to remove the official, with the office becoming vacant if recalled. The bill also prohibits recall elections within 90 days before or after regular elections. This bill directly affects local officials and voters in their jurisdictions, establishing a new process for their removal.

This bill is a joint resolution urging Tennessee's congressional delegation to take action to prevent the closure of the McMinnville VA clinic in Warren County. The resolution highlights that thousands of veterans in the area rely on this facility for medical care and notes the VA's official announcement of the clinic's planned closure by May 31, 2026. It formally requests that federal representatives advocate for keeping the clinic open to continue serving veterans' physical and mental health needs. The document does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of support for the clinic's continued operation.

SB 2270 increases the required notice period from two to three days for Tennessee county mayors to call emergency special sessions of their county legislative bodies. This procedural change affects county government operations by extending the advance notice requirement for such sessions. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 5-5-105(b)(1) and related provisions in Title 5 and Title 6.

SB 2196 requires tire manufacturers and suppliers bidding on or supplying tires to the Tennessee state government to disclose whether tires use 100% French process zinc oxide (a specific manufacturing method for zinc oxide). This applies to all new bids, existing contracts, and price lists submitted to the state, with suppliers needing to specify the tire product and material number for each qualifying tire. Suppliers must update existing contracts within 120 days of the law's effective date and notify the state within 90 days of any manufacturing changes affecting the zinc oxide composition. The law directly affects tire vendors doing business with Tennessee state agencies, mandating clear disclosure in procurement documents.

SB 2662 establishes strict rules for using oral-fluid tests in DUI cases in Tennessee. It requires officers to document specific, observable driving-related reasons (not general suspicions) before administering tests, and mandates that screening results alone cannot be used as evidence for arrest or license suspension. The bill requires approved devices, proper calibration documentation, and a confirmatory lab test (using accredited methods) for any evidence to be admissible in court. It also guarantees defendants the right to independent lab testing of preserved samples and requires law enforcement to retain detailed records for three years or longer.

SB 2164, the "Election Integrity Act of 2026," creates a process for candidates in local Tennessee elections (county, city, or school board races) to challenge election results if they believe administrative errors occurred. Candidates must file a written challenge with their county election commission within 10 business days of the election. The county commission investigates for 15 days, then sends evidence to the state commission, which decides within 21 days whether errors changed the outcome. If errors are confirmed and could alter results, the state commission orders a special election; otherwise, the election is certified. This process only affects the specific challenged election, not other races on the ballot.

SB 2383 (Tennessee property tax rate limits) sets new annual caps on local property tax rates. It limits county property taxes to $3.00 per $100 of assessed property value and municipal taxes to $2.50 per $100. These provisions directly affect all Tennessee counties and municipalities by restricting how much they can charge for property taxes. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, replacing previous rate-setting authority under Tennessee Code § 67-5-102 and § 67-5-103.