Tennessee Bills

SB 1191, "Akilah's Law," creates a new offense for selling, offering to sell, delivering, or transferring a firearm to someone known to have been a patient in a mental health facility (including hospitals, clinics, or centers for mental illness) within the past five years. It specifically excludes cases where treatment was solely voluntary for alcohol abuse without other mental illness or substance disorders. The law directly affects firearm sellers and transferors who knowingly violate this restriction. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-17-1316 and 33-17-13.

SB 1048 prohibits state governments, political subdivisions, or public officials from declaring lawful businesses or professions "non-essential" or banning them during emergencies through orders, rules, or regulations. It defines "lawful occupation" as any legal business, trade, or profession not already illegal under state law. The bill allows affected individuals or businesses to sue for actual damages or court orders if these restrictions are imposed, with courts awarding legal fees to successful plaintiffs. This law applies to all emergency-related restrictions starting July 1, 2025, and does not apply if an occupation violates existing state or federal law.

HB 1441 raises the penalty for impersonating a law enforcement officer in Tennessee from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony when the impersonation occurs during the commission or attempt of a violent crime. It maintains the current misdemeanor penalty for impersonation while driving a vehicle (with a $5,000 fine maximum) and for other non-violent cases. The bill specifically targets individuals who use impersonation as part of violent criminal activity, making the offense a felony under those circumstances. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

This bill is a joint resolution urging Tennessee's congressional delegation to take action to prevent the closure of the McMinnville VA clinic in Warren County. The resolution highlights that thousands of veterans in the area rely on this facility for medical care and notes the VA's official announcement of the clinic's planned closure by May 31, 2026. It formally requests that federal representatives advocate for keeping the clinic open to continue serving veterans' physical and mental health needs. The document does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of support for the clinic's continued operation.

SB 2409 prohibits state employees and political subdivisions from displaying LGBTQ flags or emblems (like rainbow or transgender flags) on state property or during work hours, and bans recognizing June as "Pride Month" or similar LGBTQ commemorative periods. It allows private citizens to sue state employees for violations, seeking damages for emotional distress and other remedies. Exceptions explicitly protect off-duty conduct and First Amendment-protected speech. The bill affects all state government operations and employees working on state property.

SB 2484, the "Tennessee Ballot Access Act," defines "natural born citizen" for candidates seeking federal office in Tennessee. It specifies that a natural born citizen must be born to a U.S. citizen parent (excluding those who gained citizenship through naturalization), aligning with historical interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. The law requires this definition to determine eligibility for federal offices like president or vice president on Tennessee ballots. This bill sets a state standard for ballot access but does not alter federal election requirements.

SB 2440, the "Pot for Potholes Act," establishes a regulatory framework for legal marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail sales in Tennessee, administered by the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects licensed businesses (growers, processors, retailers) and adults aged 21+ who can purchase marijuana products. Key provisions include requiring child-resistant packaging, batch tracking for safety, restrictions near community facilities like parks and schools, and mandating that tax revenue fund road repairs (the "potholes" reference). The bill amends multiple state code titles to create licensing requirements, safety standards, and definitions for cannabis products like edibles and concentrates.

HB 2459 allows licensed school social workers in Tennessee to provide preventative and developmental counseling to minors without needing parental consent. The bill specifically exempts these professionals from requiring parental permission for such services, directly affecting minor students receiving counseling in schools and school social workers providing those services. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-176(c) and related chapters in Titles 36, 49, and 63 to remove the consent requirement. This change applies only to counseling focused on prevention and development, not clinical treatment. The bill aims to streamline access to early support services for students within school settings.

SB 1972 requires Tennessee law enforcement to verify veteran status before assisting federal immigration actions. It prohibits state cooperation unless federal authorities certify the person isn't a veteran or the VA has confirmed their status. Agencies must screen for military service records, delay transfers until verification, and provide veterans access to legal counsel. The law directly affects veterans facing immigration enforcement and state/local police handling such cases.

SB 1943 designates September 10 of each year as "Charlie Kirk Day" in Tennessee to honor the late Charles Kirk, a public figure who co-founded Turning Point USA and was assassinated in 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, to add this day to the state's calendar of special observances. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect any legal rights or obligations. This is a purely ceremonial designation with no substantive policy impact.

SB 1743 expands wrongful death claims in Tennessee by including unborn children from fertilization (not just in utero) as eligible claimants under the law. It also extends the period for presuming a spouse abandoned their deceased partner from two to three years before they can file a claim. These changes directly affect families seeking wrongful death compensation, particularly in cases involving spouses who may have left the deceased partner for over three years. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 20-5-106 and 63-6-1102, effective July 1, 2026.

HB 349 deletes an outdated requirement in state law that previously mandated the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee to conduct a study on statewide energy policy feasibility by December 15, 2014, and submit its findings to the state energy task force. The bill removes Section 49-9-1410 of Tennessee Code Annotated, which contained this obsolete provision. This change affects the university center by eliminating a long-since-expired administrative duty with no current obligations. The bill is purely procedural, making no new policy changes or affecting any other entities or programs.