Tennessee Bills

SB 1407 would amend Tennessee law to allow the use of deadly force to protect property, such as preventing burglary, theft, or damage to livestock, under specific conditions. It directly affects property owners and occupants who face intruders or property crimes. Key changes include lowering the standard for deadly force (requiring only a reasonable belief that force is necessary to stop the crime), defining "deadly force" to exclude merely displaying or brandishing a weapon, and updating legal references to include property protection under self-defense statutes. The bill would not permit deadly force if less lethal options are available to protect the property or if the force used wouldn’t cause death or serious injury.

SB 1035 requires Tennessee's Administrative Office of the Courts to report to legislative leaders by October 1, 2025, on the number of employers convicted of illegally dismissing employees for jury service. The report will cover all cases from January 1, 1990, through January 1, 2025, under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-514 (which prohibits such dismissals as a Class A misdemeanor). This procedural bill does not change existing law but mandates a historical data collection effort. The summary focuses solely on the reporting requirement, not on policy outcomes or advocacy.

This Tennessee House Joint Resolution honors AT&T's 150th anniversary by commemorating the company's founding and the first telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. The resolution expresses appreciation for AT&T's historical role in advancing telecommunications and its ongoing contributions to connectivity, broadband infrastructure, and economic opportunity in Tennessee. It does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal recognition of the company's legacy and impact on communication technology.

SB 2289, the "Federal Enforcement Accountability and Community Protection Act," requires Tennessee state and local law enforcement to notify the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) within 24 hours of any federal enforcement action resulting in death or serious injury ("critical incident"). The TBI must then conduct an independent review assessing foreseeability, de-escalation, and state resource involvement, publishing findings publicly within 90 days. The bill prohibits state agencies from providing non-emergency resources to federal agencies during such incidents until the review is complete, while allowing emergency assistance or legally required cooperation. It also explicitly protects bystanders from detention or questioning solely for being present, observing, or traveling near enforcement actions.

SB 2619 changes Tennessee sentencing rules for defendants receiving a split sentence (part jail time, part probation). It increases the required continuous jail time from one year to three years for such cases, and specifies that the state must cover all jail costs after the first year. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-35-306 and 40-35-314 to implement these changes. This directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee who are sentenced to split confinement and probation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2011, titled the "Stop American Gestapo Act (SAGA)," prohibits Tennessee law enforcement officers from wearing masks, face coverings, or personal disguises while interacting with the public during official duties. The bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement officers during public interactions, with exceptions for N95 masks during health emergencies, smoke protection during natural disasters, and SWAT team gear for physical safety. It also requires officers to visibly display their name or badge number on their uniform. Violations would be Class C misdemeanors, effective July 1, 2026.

HB 1837, titled the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," entitles property owners to just compensation from public entities when land use regulations (like zoning or development rules) reduce a property’s fair market value. It applies to owners of real property acquired after the regulation’s enactment, requiring public entities to pay compensation equal to the value loss upon written demand. Key exclusions include regulations protecting public health/safety (e.g., fire codes), federal compliance, or common law nuisances, with the public entity bearing the burden to prove exemptions. Owners must file claims within three years of the regulation’s enactment or a related land use application, and can seek attorney fees if compensation isn’t paid within 90 days of demand.

This bill requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to create alternative crisis response units by January 1, 2026, where a qualified mental health professional accompanies police officers to mental health-related calls and leads the response. The legislation mandates that the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission establish uniform training standards for these units and provide annual training for officers on supporting mental health professionals during calls. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies across the state and the training commission by creating new operational requirements and training obligations. It amends existing state statutes to formalize these alternative response protocols rather than creating entirely new laws from scratch.

This bill would require most firearm sales and transfers in Tennessee to be conducted through a federally licensed gun dealer, with specific exceptions for private sales between family members, transfers to law enforcement, and sales of antique firearms. The law creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for individuals who sell or transfer firearms outside of these approved channels, punishable by fines up to $10,000 and up to nine months in jail. Additionally, anyone convicted of violating this provision would be prohibited from possessing firearms for two years. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if it were to become law.

SB 1227 renames "handgun carry permits" to "firearm carry permits" across Tennessee law and allows permit holders to carry any legally owned firearm - not just handguns - under the permit. The bill updates over 30 sections of Tennessee code by replacing all instances of "handgun" or "handgun carry" with "firearm" or "firearm carry." This change directly affects current permit holders, who will no longer be restricted to carrying only handguns and can carry any firearm they legally possess. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

This Tennessee joint resolution honors U.S. laws and legal precedent stating that the federal government cannot keep money collected from tariffs ruled invalid by the Supreme Court. The bill specifically references a 2025 Supreme Court decision that declared tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Powers Act to be illegal. It acknowledges the financial impact on Tennessee households and businesses, noting that the state paid an estimated $3.5 billion in these tariffs. The resolution serves as a formal recognition of the state's position on the issue rather than creating new legal requirements or funding mechanisms.

HB 2340 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study housing affordability and inventory by requiring them to: (1) conduct a detailed housing stock inventory, (2) assess current/future housing needs based on demographics and income gaps, and (3) create a pre-approved "pattern book" of medium-density housing designs. This pattern book would include standardized floor plans, building layouts, and streamlined permit processes for "missing middle" housing - mid-sized developments between single-family homes and large apartment buildings (under 12 units). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by aiming to make housing construction more efficient and affordable within existing neighborhoods. It does not mandate adoption but provides a framework for communities to address housing shortages through planning. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Tennessee General Assembly.