Tennessee Bills

SB 2360 allows repair shops (garagekeepers) to legally store a vehicle for repairs without the owner's written permission for storage, provided they first make a good-faith effort to get the owner's consent and send certified mail notice of the storage intent to the owner's last known address. If the owner doesn't respond within 30 days (or 30 days after receiving a return receipt), the repair shop may enforce a lien to recover costs. The bill requires shops to document their consent attempt and mailing, including certified mail receipts. This directly affects vehicle owners who don't authorize storage and repair shops seeking to secure payment for services.

SB 2596 exempts utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) used for agricultural purposes from a 45 mph speed limit restriction on certain state highways and county roads. The bill amends Tennessee law to clarify that this exemption applies only when UTVs are operated for farming activities, while maintaining all other existing restrictions on UTV operation (such as where they may be driven). This change directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses that use UTVs for work on public roads. The policy update removes a specific speed limit barrier for farm-related UTV use without altering other operational rules.

SB 2255 requires Tennessee's TennCare program to publish two biannual reports starting in 2027, focusing on psychotropic medication use and costs. The first report details statewide usage patterns across age groups, medication counts per person, and costs (separately tracking state/federal funds). The second report specifically tracks psychotropic medication use among children in foster care and young adults in state custody, categorized by age and medication frequency. All data must be de-identified to comply with privacy laws like HIPAA, ensuring no personally identifiable information is disclosed.

SB 2267 clarifies that the four trustees responsible for managing Tennessee's "other post-employment benefits" (like certain retirement programs) may appoint a designee to act on their behalf when they are absent. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly state that each of these trustees - specifically the finance commissioner, Senate finance committee chair, House finance committee chair, and retirement system board chair - can appoint a representative. This change streamlines administrative procedures for these trustee positions without altering benefit programs or affecting citizens directly. It is a procedural amendment focused solely on governance structure.

SB 2313 amends Tennessee law to allow commissioners of utility districts in Gibson County to serve more than two consecutive terms, removing a previous restriction. This change specifically applies to counties with populations between 28,800-28,900, 42,700-42,800, or 50,400-50,500 (based on the 2020 census), which includes Gibson County. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-82-307(a)(2)(D) to clarify that commissioners in qualifying counties are not prohibited from serving consecutive terms beyond the two-term limit. It directly affects Gibson County utility district commissioners by expanding their eligibility for re-election without term limits.

SB 1497 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact to June 30, 2034. This allows Tennessee-licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice across state lines without reapplying for licenses in participating states. The bill amends Tennessee law to set a new termination date for the compact, ensuring continuity for professionals who work in multiple states. It does not create new regulations but maintains existing interstate practice agreements.

SB 1589 authorizes Tennessee’s Corrections Institute to establish certification requirements for corrections officers and inspect local correctional training academies serving jails and lock-ups. It changes how local facilities can avoid losing certification after inspections by requiring detailed plans of action for deficiencies, with strict time limits and safety safeguards. The bill also allows directors and full-time employees of the Corrections Institute to carry handguns while performing their duties. These provisions directly affect local correctional facilities, their staff, and training programs across Tennessee.

SB 2024 amends Tennessee's wage payment law to extend the deadline for paying employees on piece-work or commission basis from the 5th day to the last day of the following month for both regular pay and final payments upon termination. This change directly affects private employers in Tennessee who use these compensation structures and their employees, ensuring payments are made by month's end instead of the 5th. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 50-2-103, and applies to wages earned on or after July 1, 2026. It does not alter payment timelines for employees paid hourly or salary.

SB 1500 extends the existence of Tennessee's Board of Dentistry until June 30, 2031, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-252. The bill removes an outdated reference (subdivision (5) in Section 4-29-247) and adds a new reference to the Board of Dentistry's creation (Section 4-29-252). This procedural update ensures the board's legal authority continues without requiring new legislation before 2031. The bill directly affects the Board of Dentistry and its regulatory oversight of dental professionals in Tennessee.

SB 1505 extends the existence of Tennessee's Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic expiration. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-252 to update references and remove a now-redundant subdivision. This procedural change directly affects the board, which oversees licensing and regulation of podiatrists in Tennessee. The extension ensures continued oversight of podiatric medical practice without altering current licensing rules or requirements.

SB 1499 extends the expiration date of the Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences to June 30, 2031, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated sections in Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 17. This bill updates the board's sunset provision without changing its duties or responsibilities. The extension ensures the board can continue overseeing communication disorders and sciences programs in Tennessee through 2031.

SB 1865 creates two annual grant programs for Tennessee fire and rescue organizations: a "rescue squad grant program" and a "volunteer firefighter equipment and training grant program." It provides funds specifically for purchasing firefighting equipment (excluding vehicles) and training, directly benefiting recognized rescue squads (municipal, county, or nonprofit emergency response groups) and volunteer fire departments. The commissioner of commerce and insurance will evaluate applications and award grants each year, aiming to spend all allocated funds annually without returning unused money to the general budget. The bill amends Tennessee law to establish these programs, effective July 1, 2026.