SB 2310 would prohibit Tennessee public schools and charter schools serving grades K-5 from allowing students to use digital devices at school, requiring teachers to use digital devices for instruction, or administering assessments electronically - except for specific cases. The bill directly affects K-5 students and educators in these schools, with key exceptions for public virtual schools, compliance with disability laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), and state-mandated assessments like the Tennessee universal screener. It would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed, banning digital device use during instruction and assessments for young students while maintaining existing requirements for disability accommodations and state testing. The bill does not address social media or require schools to remove devices from classrooms entirely, only restricting their use for instruction and assessments.
SB 2233 tightens Tennessee's restrictions on foreign-owned entities purchasing land. It lowers the ownership threshold requiring review from 33% to 10% for agricultural land and 50% to 33% for non-agricultural land. The bill defines "prohibited foreign parties" more broadly (including entities under U.S. sanctions) and sets a 60-day compliance deadline after designation or acquisition. It exempts entities approved by U.S. national security reviews (like CFIUS) from these restrictions. The law applies to both agricultural and non-agricultural land purchases by sanctioned foreign entities.
HB 2547 amends Tennessee law to restrict land purchases by foreign entities or sanctioned individuals. It lowers the ownership threshold requiring review from 33% to 10% for "prohibited foreign parties" controlling businesses, and explicitly includes mineral rights (oil, gas, coal, brine) and water resources in land transactions. The bill requires foreign entities to comply with new deadlines - within 60 days of January 1, 2025, or after being designated as restricted - to report or divest land holdings. Exceptions apply for entities approved by the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) or with prior national security clearances. This directly affects foreign-owned businesses seeking to purchase agricultural or non-agricultural land in Tennessee.
SB 2670, the "Higher Education Purchasing Act," allows private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Tennessee to access the same statewide discounted procurement contracts currently available to public institutions. It directly affects eligible private institutions (accredited, Tennessee-based, and approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission) by permitting them to purchase goods and services through state contracts at the same pricing as public schools, without requiring new state funding or fees. Key provisions prohibit vendors from charging higher prices to private institutions or retaliating against them for participating, while ensuring public institutions retain full access to contracts and state costs remain unchanged. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the state to establish a simple enrollment process for private institutions to join existing procurement systems.
HB 2048 requires Tennessee's Department of Education Office of Early Learning to submit an annual report by July 1 each year to the governor and General Assembly on pre-kindergarten program status. The report must include specific data like the number and locations of pre-K providers, provider types, and the number of at-risk children served. This bill mandates that the report be published online for public access, ensuring transparency about pre-K program availability and reach. (Procedural bill; summary reflects only the mandated reporting requirements.)
SB 1843, the "Nitrous Oxide Abuse Prevention and Retail Sale Prohibition Act," bans vape shop retailers from selling nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) in Tennessee. The bill specifically prohibits vape shops - defined as businesses selling electronic smoking devices or related products - from offering nitrous oxide for retail sale, with penalties starting at $500 per violation for first offenses and escalating to license suspension or revocation for repeat violations. Manufacturers who facilitate these sales face $10,000 fines per product. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting vape shop operators and their compliance with retail sales restrictions.
HB 1644 prohibits vape shop retailers from selling nitrous oxide (commonly known as "laughing gas") at retail. It directly affects vape shops and their distributors, wholesalers, or importers who sell nitrous oxide as part of their business. The bill imposes escalating civil fines: $500 for a first violation, up to $1,000 for a second violation (with a 30-day license suspension), and up to $1,500 for a third violation (with license revocation), plus additional penalties for manufacturers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1639 creates a new Office of Homeland Security within Tennessee's Department of Safety. The office will coordinate state efforts to prevent and respond to terrorism, cyber threats, and attacks on schools, critical infrastructure, and public officials, while also assisting with election security and school safety planning. Homeland Security officers appointed under this bill will have full peace officer powers statewide, including arrest authority, and must complete standardized law enforcement training. The bill directly affects the Department of Safety, state and local law enforcement agencies, and entities responsible for protecting schools and critical infrastructure.
SB 1880 creates a new Office of Homeland Security within Tennessee's Department of Safety. This office will coordinate state efforts to prevent, protect against, and respond to threats - including terrorism, cyberattacks, school threats, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities - while working with federal, local, and private partners. The bill establishes specialized homeland security officers (with statewide peace officer powers) to investigate these threats and support school security planning, election infrastructure protection, and law enforcement coordination. It directly affects state agencies, local law enforcement, schools, and election officials through new investigative authority and coordination requirements.
HB 2032, the "Higher Education Purchasing Act," allows private nonprofit colleges and universities in Tennessee (including minority-serving institutions) to access the state's existing procurement contracts on the same terms and pricing as public universities. This means eligible private institutions can buy supplies and services - like office equipment or software - at the discounted rates currently available to public schools, reducing their costs. The bill requires vendors to charge private institutions the same price as public ones and prohibits retaliation against institutions that join the program. It also establishes a simple enrollment process with no fees for private schools and ensures the policy won’t raise state costs or reduce public institution access.
SB 1840, known as "Quinton's Law," extends the statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Tennessee under specific conditions. It adds a three-year deadline for filing such claims if criminal charges are filed within two years by law enforcement, a district attorney, or a grand jury related to the same incident. This change directly affects families seeking civil remedies when criminal proceedings are active for the death. The law applies to causes of action accruing on or after July 1, 2026, and modifies existing time limits for other civil actions in Titles 28, 39, and 40 of Tennessee Code.
This legislative bill honors Almae Ray Chappell on the occasion of her 94th birthday. It formally recognizes her contributions to her family and community, noting her long life and personal interests. The resolution directs the state to prepare and present a copy of the document to her as a gesture of appreciation.
