Tennessee Bills

HB 1305 changes Tennessee law to require the Department of Children's Services to provide relative caregivers with 15 days' written notice (instead of 10 days) before imposing new payment requirements. This directly affects relatives caring for children in foster care who receive state payments. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Title 37 and Title 71) to implement this longer notice period. The change focuses solely on the timing of written communication to caregivers, with no other policy shifts described in the bill text.

HB 1336 removes an outdated reporting requirement from Tennessee education law. Specifically, it deletes a provision that previously mandated the Tennessee Department of Education, working with the State Board and the Higher Education Commission, to submit a report by July 1, 2024, on how student literacy legislation was being implemented. This change affects education agencies responsible for preparing such reports. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 49-1-908 and related titles, eliminating a now-obsolete administrative task.

HB 1366 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System) members to submit workers' compensation settlement documents. Specifically, it changes the requirement from submitting within 30 days to 45 days after a settlement becomes final. This bill directly affects current and former TCRS members who receive workers' compensation settlements. The key change is solely a procedural adjustment to the submission timeline, with no new benefits or eligibility criteria added. The bill does not alter retirement benefits or create new obligations beyond the extended deadline.

HB 1335 requires Tennessee's Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to submit an annual report by February 1st to the governor, Senate Speaker, and House Speaker. The report must detail TEMA's recovery efforts from the previous calendar year and include recommendations to improve future recovery efficiency. This bill amends several Tennessee Code sections (including TCA Title 58, Chapter 2) to establish this mandatory reporting requirement. The change directly affects TEMA's administrative process, adding a transparency measure for state leadership without altering disaster response policies or funding.

HB 1362 moves a reporting deadline for Tennessee's Office of Business Enterprise from December 1 to January 1. The office must now submit its annual report on disadvantaged business support and community block grants by January 1 instead of December 1. This procedural change affects the Department of Economic and Community Development's reporting schedule. The bill does not alter funding policies or eligibility rules for disadvantaged businesses.

HB 1365 changes the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Transportation to submit its annual report on litter prevention programs funded by a 0.4% tax on bottled soft drinks. The bill moves the submission date from March 31 to March 1 each year. The report must detail which programs received funds, the amounts allocated, and how the funds were used. This procedural change affects the Department of Transportation's reporting timeline but does not alter the tax or program requirements.

HB 1334 removes an outdated requirement for Tennessee's Department of Transportation to submit a report by February 15, 2024, on pedestrian safety planning. The bill deletes Section 54-1-104 of the Tennessee Code, which previously mandated this report to be prepared in consultation with safety agencies and law enforcement. This change affects only the Department of Transportation by eliminating a now-obsolete reporting obligation. The bill makes no substantive policy changes to pedestrian safety or transportation planning.

HB 1265 shortens the deadline for Tennessee's State Treasurer to report on unclaimed property operations. It changes the law to require the Treasurer to submit this report within three months after the fiscal year ends (down from four months), instead of the current four-month window. This affects the Treasurer and the recipients of the report - Governor, Comptroller of the Treasury, and legislative leaders - by requiring them to receive the report one month earlier each year. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 47, 48, and 66) to implement this timing change.

HB 1196 requires the Tennessee State Board of Education to publish the curriculum for the statewide DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program on its official website. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to add this transparency requirement. The key provision mandates that the state board make the DARE curriculum publicly accessible online, directly affecting the State Board of Education's reporting obligations. The bill does not change the DARE program itself but ensures its curriculum is available for public review. It takes effect upon becoming law.

HB 1282 clarifies that Tennessee's Board of Dentistry must submit its annual report by January 1 each year, instead of the previous deadline. The bill requires the report to be sent to both the governor and the legislative librarian, ensuring these entities receive the board's annual summary of activities. This procedural change directly affects the Board of Dentistry by modifying its reporting obligations under Tennessee law (amending TCA Title 63, Section 63-5-106). The bill does not create new policies but streamlines existing reporting requirements for transparency.

HB 1370 requires Tennessee county election commissions to include three non-binding questions about marijuana policy on the November 2026 ballot: legalizing medical marijuana, decriminalizing small possession, and legalizing recreational sales. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to compile and publish the results online and share them with lawmakers, though the questions have no legal effect. It directly affects voters who will answer the questions and county election offices that must administer them. The bill focuses solely on gathering public opinion data for legislative consideration, not on changing existing laws. (Note: This bill is pending introduction as of February 2025.)

HB 1251 amends Tennessee law to allow courts to waive application fees for individuals seeking to restore their citizenship rights after a criminal conviction. Currently, applicants must pay these costs unless a court specifically orders otherwise; this bill changes the default rule to explicitly permit courts to exempt applicants from fees. The bill directly affects people with past convictions who are working to regain full citizenship rights through court processes. It modifies Tennessee Code Sections 40-29-104 (and related sections) to clarify that courts may order fee waivers as part of the application procedure. The change applies to court orders issued after the bill's effective date.