Remedies and Special Proceedings - As enacted, removes the right of a cause of action for any affected person who seeks declaratory and injunctive relief in any action brought regarding the legality or constitutionality of a state governmental action; authorizes such an action against a political subdivision of this state; does not limit any other cause of action or waiver of sovereign immunity to vindicate rights under the Tennessee Constitution or the United States Constitution. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49.
HB 1971 restricts lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of state laws by removing the right to seek declaratory or injunctive relief against state governmental actions. It specifically prohibits individuals from suing the state to invalidate statutes, while allowing such challenges against local governments (like cities, counties, or school districts). The bill maintains state sovereign immunity by ensuring no waiver of the state’s legal protection from lawsuits. It does not affect claims seeking monetary damages or challenges to local government actions.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed Apr 7, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
36
Key actions
17
Committee
13
Amendments
1
Apr 7, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 18, Nays 13
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0861)
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 56, Nays 38, PNV 1
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/18/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 2/18/2026
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Civil Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Civil Justice Subcommittee for 2/11/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Andrew Farmer
RRepublican
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