SB 263 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

State Government - As enacted, prohibits the enforcement and recognition of requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum in this state or its political subdivisions. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 4.

Tennessee's SB 263, now law, prohibits state and local governments from enforcing or recognizing requirements from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), or World Economic Forum (WEF). The law specifically blocks these entities from mandating mask-wearing, vaccines, medical testing, or collecting personal data about residents through state or local actions. It declares such international mandates "have no force or effect" in Tennessee and requires state agencies to disregard them. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all state departments, counties, cities, and other local government entities.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

306
Passed
Total votes 36
Apr 14, 2025
D Democratic7
1 Yea 6 Nay
85% Nay
R Republican29
29 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
7
Committee
3
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 72, Nays 25, PNV 0
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 25, Nays 6
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joey Hensley
Joey Hensley
RRepublican
TN
28