SB 1748 requires Tennessee enforcement officers to issue out-of-service orders for commercial drivers who cannot read or speak English sufficiently to understand traffic signs, respond to officials, or complete required records - meeting federal 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) standards. It directly affects commercial drivers and their employers, who face a $500 fine per violation (classified as a Class C misdemeanor) if a driver fails the English proficiency requirement during a safety inspection. Drivers must pass a state-administered English test to regain their license, with employers liable for associated fines. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 55-50-403, 55-50-405, and 65-15-111 to implement these requirements, effective January 1, 2027.
HB 1817 requires commercial drivers in Tennessee to demonstrate sufficient English language skills to read, speak, understand traffic signs, communicate with officials, and complete reports - aligning with federal rules (49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)). If an enforcement officer determines during a safety inspection that a driver cannot meet these requirements, they must issue an out-of-service order, and the driver’s commercial license may be suspended until they pass a state-administered English proficiency test. Employers face a $500 fine for violations (classified as a Class C misdemeanor), though exemptions apply for drivers with hearing-related exemptions documented under federal rules. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-50-403, 55-50-405, and 65-15-111 to implement these requirements, with full enforcement scheduled for January 1, 2027.
This bill creates the Southern Cumberland Plateau Regional Water and Wastewater Authority, a new public entity designed to manage water and wastewater systems in Grundy County and surrounding areas. The Authority will have the power to plan, build, operate, and maintain facilities for water supply, sewage treatment, and recycling, while also selling water and providing environmental services. Governance of the Authority is structured to include representatives from Grundy County, the towns of Monteagle and Tracy City, and two specific utility districts, ensuring local input on decisions. The legislation allows the Authority to issue bonds to fund these projects and includes provisions for adding new member municipalities in the future.
HB 2526 creates a new legal category called "child in need of heightened supervision" for children who exhibit violent behavior (including offenses like assault) without requiring formal charges or adjudication. It directly affects children in Tennessee's juvenile justice system who display violent tendencies, expanding the criteria for detention and shelter care. Key provisions include adding this category to court procedures, requiring longer supervision periods (up to six months) after a child assaults staff at residential facilities, and updating legal language to include this new category alongside "delinquent" or "unruly" designations. The bill aims to address safety concerns in residential placements while modifying existing legal processes for child commitment and detention.
HB 2091 requires the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to post specific information about off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas on the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission's website. The bill mandates that the posted list include each area's acreage and estimated trail length, building on existing requirements under § 70-9-104(6). This affects the agency (which must create and maintain the list) and the public (who gains easier access to OHV trail details). The bill does not change where OHVs may operate, only how the existing area information is made publicly available online. It is a procedural requirement with no new regulatory impact.
SB 2641 requires local retirement programs (including city, county, and school district pensions not in Tennessee's main TCRS system) to make investment decisions based **solely on financial factors**, excluding environmental, social, or governance (ESG) considerations. It mandates that fiduciaries (like fund managers) conducting an economic analysis to justify voting against a company's board recommendation on shareholder proposals. The bill creates a presumption that voting with a board’s recommendation is financially motivated, while banning votes prioritizing ESG interests unless proven financially beneficial through documented analysis. This applies to all local government retirement programs managing assets for employees’ benefits.
HB 2541 requires that workers on non-state construction contracts for public highway projects funded with state or federal money receive the prevailing wage rate, expanding the existing requirement from state contracts only. It directly affects construction workers and contractors working on public highway projects using public funds, including those under private contracts. The bill amends Tennessee's Prevailing Wage Act by redefining "state contract" to include non-state projects on public highways and updating the policy statement to mandate fair wages for all such projects. These changes apply to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed after the bill's effective date.
HB 2309 requires courts to impose a fine of at least twice the actual property damage or restoration costs when vandalism occurs at a house of worship, in addition to any other sentence. This applies specifically to offenses committed at religious buildings, directly affecting houses of worship that suffer damage and the courts sentencing offenders. The law amends Tennessee sentencing guidelines (TCA Title 39) to mandate this automatic double-fine calculation based on verified costs, overriding standard sentencing discretion for these cases. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.
SB 2283 shortens the deadline for Tennessee cities to report how they spend tourism-related occupancy taxes. Specifically, it changes the reporting period from 90 days to 60 days after each fiscal year ends. This affects cities that levy occupancy taxes under general law, requiring them to file detailed reports with the Department of Tourist Development about tourism spending. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 67-4-1403(c)(1) and related provisions to implement this deadline change.
SB 2537 extends the deadline for Tennessee property taxpayers to apply for tax relief from 35 to 45 days after taxes become overdue. This change directly affects homeowners and property owners who qualify for property tax relief but haven't yet submitted an application. The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA Title 67) to give eligible taxpayers an additional 10 days to file for a refund or credit voucher. The policy change is a straightforward deadline extension with no other provisions or requirements.
SB 2295 requires Tennessee's Alcoholic Beverage Commission to submit its biennial report on preventing underage drinking, drunk driving, and other harmful alcohol use to the General Assembly by February 1 (instead of February 15) each odd-numbered year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 57-1-206(a) and related provisions to change this deadline. This shortens the submission timeline by two weeks, providing lawmakers earlier access to data on alcohol-related prevention efforts. The report directly affects the Commission (which must submit it) and the General Assembly (which receives it).
HB 2207 extends the deadline for eligible taxpayers to apply for property tax relief in Tennessee. It increases the window from 35 to 45 days after taxes become delinquent to either apply for a refund or present a credit voucher. The bill directly affects property owners who qualify for tax relief but have not yet submitted their application. This change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Section 67-5-701(d)(1), to adjust the application timeline.
