Tennessee Bills

SB 1596 creates a 50% tax credit for Tennessee businesses that donate to charities approved by the governor’s faith-based initiatives office. The credit applies to contributions made between 2027-2031, with a yearly limit of $5,000 per business. To qualify, charities must serve at least 50% Tennessee residents (including 25% from designated high-need counties) and meet specific project criteria focused on community values. Businesses can claim the credit for up to 10 approved charities per year, but no more than 20% of their credit can go to a single organization.

HB 1713 would allow tow trucks (recovery vehicles) to display a single blue light (steady or flashing) on the rear of the vehicle, but not the front, when stopped and assisting another vehicle. This applies specifically during stationary operations like vehicle recovery or roadside assistance. The bill amends Tennessee's traffic code to permit this lighting, aiming to improve visibility for tow trucks and other drivers. It does not require tow trucks to use the light, only authorizes it under these defined conditions.

HB 1921 would change Tennessee election rules for state legislators. It allows senators with at least eight consecutive years in office and representatives with ten consecutive years to collect petition signatures from registered voters in the county where their district is located (not just within their specific district) to run for re-election. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 2 to permit this expanded signature collection method for qualifying members of the General Assembly. This directly affects long-serving state legislators seeking nomination through petitions. The change is limited to signature collection for nomination petitions and does not alter other election requirements.

HB 2036 prohibits individuals who hold dual citizenship or are not natural-born U.S. citizens from qualifying as candidates in Tennessee's primary elections for federal office (such as U.S. Congress or presidency). The bill defines "dual citizenship" as holding U.S. and foreign citizenship simultaneously and "natural-born citizen" as someone born in the U.S. or born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. It directly affects candidates seeking federal office through Tennessee primaries by imposing these citizenship requirements for qualification. The law would take effect upon becoming law, changing eligibility rules for state primary elections.

HB 1925, the "One America Act," requires non-lawfully present individuals who have lived in Tennessee for over 30 days to register with the Tennessee Department of Safety and undergo an interview. If approved, they receive a one-year visa allowing lawful re-entry to the U.S. and Tennessee; after one year with no criminal offenses, they may apply for permanent resident status. Those denied eligibility must leave the U.S. within 30 days. The bill amends Tennessee Code Titles 4, 8, and 39 but remains pending in committee with no voting record yet.

HB 1252 deletes an outdated tax credit provision from Tennessee's tax code that applied to beer or ale destroyed in a specific 2010 flood (May 1-8). The bill removes Section 67-4-114 from the Tennessee Code, which was no longer relevant as the credit was for a past event with no current application. This change affects no active taxpayers or ongoing policies, as the provision was obsolete. The bill amends Titles 57 and 67 of the Tennessee Code Annotated to eliminate this outdated rule, requiring no new administrative action.

SJR 79 proposes a constitutional amendment in Tennessee to establish parents' inherent right to direct their child's education, including home-based schooling. It prohibits the state or local governments from creating or enforcing laws that restrict this right or impose regulations on home-based education. The amendment also clarifies that accepting public education funding (like scholarships) does not waive this parental right. This would directly affect parents choosing home-based education and school districts administering education policies. If passed, it would amend Tennessee's Constitution to explicitly protect these parental rights.

SB 1329 shortens the required notice period for Tennessee state agencies planning to outsource facilities management services to private companies. Specifically, it reduces the timeframe from 30 to 21 days before signing such contracts, requiring agencies to notify lawmakers representing the affected legislative district. This change applies to contracts involving professional facilities management services within any state legislative district. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 41, 52, 57, 58, 66, and 67) to implement this adjustment. The measure directly affects state agencies and legislators in districts where outsourcing occurs.

HB 1168 modifies Tennessee's autonomous vehicle laws to require a licensed human driver for self-driving vehicles used commercially. Specifically, it removes an exemption allowing driverless operation for vehicles transporting property or passengers for hire in interstate commerce (like delivery trucks or ride-hailing services). The bill mandates that such vehicles must have a licensed driver physically present in the driver's seat, actively monitoring the vehicle and ready to take control, while still meeting other safety requirements. This change applies only to commercial autonomous vehicle operations and takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 317 requires individuals acting as agents for foreign governments deemed "hostile" (China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran) to register with Tennessee’s Ethics Commission before engaging in political activities. It also mandates that Tennessee-based political organizations receiving funding from these nations within the past five years must register. The law requires detailed disclosures, including financial sources, activities, and ownership structures, to be filed within 10 days of becoming an agent. This aims to increase transparency about foreign influence on state-level politics and elections.

SB 1354 directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create and implement a suicide prevention program. The program must include community-based prevention, support for individuals who have attempted suicide, partnerships with local organizations, research on suicide rates across diverse groups, strategies to reduce access to lethal means, and postvention support for affected families. The department must annually report to health committees on the program's progress and research findings by January 1. This bill affects all Tennessee residents by requiring state-level action on suicide prevention services, with implementation beginning in 2025.

SB 1039 requires healthcare facilities in Tennessee to obtain clear written and verbal consent before testing pregnant individuals, those under one year postpartum, or newborns for drugs or alcohol. The consent must explain the medical purpose, confidentiality, and potential legal consequences (including possible reporting to child services), while ensuring no coercion. Emergency testing without consent is permitted only if immediate treatment is needed to avoid harm. The bill also prohibits refusing medical care due to a patient's refusal of testing and takes effect July 1, 2025.