Tennessee Bills

SB 1509 extends the lifespan of Tennessee's Committee for Clinical Perfusionists until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic expiration. This committee oversees licensing and practice standards for clinical perfusionists, who are specialized healthcare professionals managing heart-lung machines during surgeries. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-252 to remove outdated references and formally establish the committee's ongoing role. It directly affects clinical perfusionists and the regulatory framework governing their practice in Tennessee. The extension ensures continued oversight of this medical specialty without requiring new legislation before 2031.

SB 1735 removes a requirement that businesses provide written assurances of compliance with Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act (1977) to Davidson County courts. This change directly affects businesses that previously needed to submit such written documents for court approval. The bill also adds new prohibitions, including banning the sale of radar-jamming devices and advertising illegal products, while clarifying the attorney general's authority in consumer lawsuits. Key provisions take effect July 1, 2026, with some changes applying retroactively to ongoing cases.

SB 1993 prohibits landlords, property managers, or others serving eviction paperwork from sharing real-time videos of the eviction process without the tenant's written permission. It directly affects property owners and their agents who might film or broadcast eviction notices, while excluding law enforcement officers acting in their official duties. The law creates a private right to sue for violations, with a minimum $25,000 penalty per intentional breach, plus actual damages and legal fees. This protects tenants from unauthorized public exposure during eviction proceedings, focusing on consent and financial recourse.

SB 1641 amends Tennessee law (TCA Section 10-7-604) to require the Secretary of State to exclude personal mailing addresses and telephone numbers of agency members from annual publications of agency information. This directly affects state agency members by protecting their personal contact details, which the bill designates as confidential and not subject to public disclosure. The key mechanism is a procedural change: the Secretary of State must omit these personal details when compiling and publishing annual agency data, effective July 1, 2026. The bill does not alter agency operations or create new programs, solely modifying how contact information is handled in public records.

SB 1532 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to June 30, 2034. This bill directly affects occupational therapists in Tennessee and participating states, as the compact allows them to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The key provision amends Tennessee law to prevent the compact from terminating on its original date, ensuring continued multi-state licensure authority. This change maintains existing practice flexibility for occupational therapists without creating new requirements or altering current licensing processes.

SB 1739 adds Claiborne, Union, and Grainger counties to the North East Tennessee Railroad Authority, expanding its membership to include all six counties (Anderson, Campbell, Scott, Claiborne, Union, and Grainger). The bill amends state law to formally include these three counties in the authority's structure, which aims to secure economic benefits through continued railroad service in the region. Key changes include updating membership rules in the statute to reflect the expanded county list and clarifying contract procedures for the authority. This directly affects the local governments and economic planning in Claiborne, Union, and Grainger counties by integrating them into the existing railroad coordination framework. The bill does not create new funding or services but adjusts the authority's jurisdiction to include the three newly added counties.

SB 1673 extends the deadline for property owners or entities to file objections to state property tax assessments. It changes the filing window from 20 to 25 days after the first Monday in September, giving affected parties more time to challenge assessments with the state board of equalization. This procedural change directly impacts individuals and businesses receiving property tax assessments from Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law related to state property assessments (TCA Titles 4, 8, 9, 66, and 67).

SB 1501 extends the existence of Tennessee's Board of Dispensing Opticians until June 30, 2031, by amending relevant sections of state law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 14). This bill directly affects the Board of Dispensing Opticians, which oversees licensing and regulation for opticians in Tennessee. The key change is removing an existing sunset provision and adding the new expiration date of 2031 to ensure the board continues operating without needing annual renewal. The bill passed the Senate unanimously on February 2, 2026, and is now pending in the House.

SB 1635 expands the definition of "medical condition" under Tennessee's 2021 Precious Cargo Act to include communication disorders like stuttering, speech issues, and language disorders. This change allows drivers with these conditions to qualify for a special designation in the state's Vehicle Title and Registration System (VTRS), alerting first responders during traffic stops that the driver may need communication assistance. The bill amends Tennessee Code §55-21-303(a)(2) to explicitly list these disorders as qualifying medical conditions. The provision will take effect on July 1, 2026, directly benefiting eligible drivers in traffic interactions with law enforcement.

SB 1504 extends the Tennessee Board of Optometry's authority until June 30, 2031, by amending two sections of state law (Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 8). The bill removes the board's previous expiration date and sets a new one for 2031, ensuring ongoing regulation of optometry practice without interruption. This directly affects the Board of Optometry and the optometry profession in Tennessee by maintaining the current regulatory structure for the next decade. The bill does not change the board's duties or optometry practice rules, only the timeline for the board's continued operation.

SB 1522 extends the existence of Tennessee's Health Facilities Commission until June 30, 2030, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-247 and 68-11-203. This procedural bill removes a reference to the commission's expiration date and adds a new provision clarifying its creation under existing law. The commission, which oversees health facility regulations, is directly affected by this extension, ensuring its continued operation without new policy changes. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is now pending in the House.

SB 1498 extends the term of Tennessee's Board of Chiropractic Examiners until June 30, 2031. This procedural bill modifies two sections of Tennessee law (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 4) by removing an outdated reference and clarifying the board's creation under existing law. The bill directly affects the board members and the chiropractic profession by ensuring regulatory oversight continues without interruption. It does not change chiropractic practice rules or create new requirements, only extending the board's operational period.