SB 715 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Cemeteries - As enacted, changes the way that the fair market value of an improvement care trust fund is calculated for certain purposes; clarifies that the fee that a cemetery company charges for the memorial care of a commodity installed in the cemetery cannot exceed the fee charged by the company for installation of the commodity; makes other changes related to cemeteries. - Amends TCA Title 46.

SB 715 modifies Tennessee cemetery regulations to increase fee transparency and prevent double-charging. It requires cemetery companies to charge uniform fees for installing memorials regardless of where the memorial is purchased, prohibits extra improvement care deposits for the same cemetery space after an initial payment, and clarifies how trust fund values are calculated (averaging over multiple years). The bill also establishes clear rules for reclaiming abandoned interment rights, requiring cemeteries to search for owners and provide proof of ownership within one year before reusing plots. These changes directly affect cemetery companies and individuals purchasing burial plots or memorial services in Tennessee.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed Apr 3, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2025

How they voted

331
Passed
Total votes 34
Mar 10, 2025
D Democratic4
4 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican30
29 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
10
Committee
3
Amendments
2
Apr 3, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA0093)
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0092)
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0093)
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 3
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0073)
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 28, Nays 1
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brent Taylor
Brent Taylor
RRepublican
TN
31