Tennessee Bills

SB 1910 updates Tennessee trust and estate law to improve privacy and streamline administration. It permits trustees to redact or seal confidential trust information in court filings without prior court approval, directly affecting beneficiaries and courts handling trust disputes. The bill raises the $100,000 threshold for certain trust actions to $250,000 and clarifies that charitable organizations named in trusts have rights similar to individual beneficiaries. It also adds protections for trustees managing closely-held businesses, shielding them from liability if they act in good faith and follow specific standards. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining transparency for trust participants.

SB 1891 extends eligibility for teacher bonuses under the Education Freedom Act of 2025 to local school districts and public charter schools that initially did not receive funding for these bonuses. To qualify, these schools must adopt a required resolution and submit it to the state education department by June 1, 2026. If they meet this deadline, the department must award each teacher employed during the 2024-2025 school year a one-time bonus of at least $2,000. Teachers not employed in a K-12 public school during 2024-2025 are ineligible, and unclaimed bonuses for departing teachers are redistributed to current teachers employed in that year.

SB 1875 changes how liquefied gas tax is collected for vehicles using it, requiring users to pay the tax at the time of refueling instead of annually. It eliminates annual permit renewals, making user permits permanent as long as taxes are reported and paid on time. The bill also updates tax rules to include hydrogen gas as a fuel type for tax purposes and clarifies dealer permit requirements. These changes directly affect vehicle users and dealers who supply liquefied gas or hydrogen fuel.

SB 1554 extends the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission's existence until June 30, 2030. It amends two sections of Tennessee law (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 70, Chapter 1, Part 2) to remove an outdated reference and formally recognize the commission's ongoing role. This change ensures the commission can continue managing the state's fish and wildlife resources without interruption. The bill directly affects the commission by preventing its automatic termination under previous sunset provisions.

SB 1731 expands the Tennessee state's right to immediately appeal certain early-stage court decisions. It allows the state to appeal as of right when a court: grants or modifies an injunction against the state; denies a motion to dissolve such an injunction; denies sovereign immunity or qualified immunity for state officials; or denies a motion to dismiss in cases challenging the constitutionality of state law, executive orders, or administrative rules. This change directly affects the Tennessee state government by giving it more opportunities to challenge court rulings before final judgments in specific legal contexts. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 27-1-101 to define these new appeal scenarios, making the process clearer for state attorneys.

SB 1872 removes requirements for Tennessee's Department of Human Services to establish, advertise, and maintain a statewide toll-free hotline for child support inquiries and complaints, as well as to operate satellite offices for the state's central child support unit. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 36-5-118 and 36-5-119 to eliminate these specific mandates. It directly affects child support recipients and payers who previously relied on these services for assistance. The change simplifies administrative requirements for the department but removes dedicated channels for public engagement on child support matters.

SB 2018 amends Tennessee law to streamline how retirement system records are handled in legal cases. It requires the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) to provide copies of member records within 14 days of a legal request, instead of original documents, accompanied by a custodian's affidavit verifying accuracy. These copies and affidavits are then admissible as evidence in court, reducing the need for staff to personally testify unless a genuine dispute arises about record accuracy. The bill directly affects TCRS employees, retirees, and individuals involved in legal disputes over retirement benefits.

SB 1537 extends the expiration date of the Sequatchie Valley Educational Development Agency from its previous sunset date to June 30, 2032. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 4 and 64 to remove outdated references and explicitly include the agency in the legal framework. This is a procedural adjustment that ensures the agency’s continued operation without altering its current structure or responsibilities. The change directly affects the Sequatchie Valley Educational Development Agency, allowing it to maintain its existing programs and functions through 2032. The bill does not create new policies or funding but maintains the agency’s legal status.

SB 1782 allows local governments (counties or municipalities) that ban class 1 or class 2 electric bicycles on park or greenway trails to notify the Tennessee Department of Safety. The bill requires local governments to submit their ban resolution or ordinance to the Department, which must then compile and publish a public list of all parks and greenways where such bans apply. This creates a centralized, online resource for residents to quickly see where e-bike use is restricted on public trails.

SB 1586 is a procedural bill that codifies all general and public laws passed during Tennessee's 2025 regular and extraordinary legislative sessions into the official Tennessee Code Annotated. It integrates these existing laws into the state's legal code without making any substantive changes to the laws themselves. The bill serves as an administrative update to organize the state's statutes, with the official code taking precedence over the original acts in case of conflict. This annual codification process affects no specific groups or policies - it simply updates the legal reference system.

SB 1605 expands Tennessee's juvenile court programs to include children five years old or younger, with special priority for children under three years old in cases involving abuse, neglect, or family instability. The bill amends state law to add three specific goals: reducing time to permanent placements for these young children, preventing repeat maltreatment, and addressing trauma's impact on early brain development. These changes apply directly to children under five in juvenile court proceedings, focusing support services on the most vulnerable age group. The bill does not create new programs but redefines existing program priorities under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 37. It is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB 1580 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or claiming that their AI can act as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers who market their systems to the public. Violations are treated as deceptive practices under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law defines "artificial intelligence" broadly as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.