SB 1677 changes Tennessee's rules for excluding evidence in criminal cases. It limits exclusion to situations where evidence was obtained through deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct violating constitutional rights, and where refusing to exclude it would contradict a clear U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The bill also creates an immediate appeal process for prosecutors when a judge suppresses evidence, requiring the Tennessee Supreme Court to expedite such cases. This directly affects criminal defendants (who may lose evidence challenges) and prosecutors (who gain faster appeals). The law aligns Tennessee's exclusionary rule strictly with federal standards, preventing state courts from creating stricter rules.
SB 1533 extends the operational lifespan of Tennessee's Office of Business Enterprise to June 30, 2030, by amending sunset provisions in the state code. This procedural bill directly affects the Office of Business Enterprise, which supports business development initiatives, by preventing its automatic termination. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-251 to remove an expired reference and clarify the office's authority. It does not create new policies or impact businesses or residents directly. The change is purely administrative, ensuring the office continues operating under its existing framework.
HB 1616 extends the Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission's authorization until June 30, 2030, by amending two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 43, Chapter 14, Part 2). It removes an existing expiration reference and sets a new end date, ensuring the commission can continue its work without interruption. This commission manages state soil and water conservation programs, directly affecting agricultural and environmental efforts across Tennessee. The bill is procedural, maintaining current operations without altering the commission's responsibilities or creating new policies.
SB 1534 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Pest Control Advisory Board from its previous sunset date to June 30, 2030. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-251 to update the board's creation and sunset provisions, ensuring its continued operation. This directly affects the board's ability to advise on pest control regulations and licensing standards in Tennessee. The change is procedural, maintaining the board's existing functions without altering its policy responsibilities.
HB 1589 extends the Northwest Tennessee human resource agency's operation until June 30, 2030, by amending Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-251 to remove its automatic expiration date. The bill directly affects the agency itself, ensuring its continued operation without requiring new legislation to maintain services. Key provisions involve updating legal references in state code to reflect this extension, specifically adding the agency to Section 4-29-251. This is a procedural adjustment to prevent the agency from sunsetting, not a change to its services or funding.
HB 1603 extends the state insurance committee's operational deadline from its current expiration to June 30, 2032. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-253 to remove an outdated reference and formally include the committee in relevant statutes. This change directly affects the state insurance committee and the agencies it oversees, ensuring continuity in insurance regulation oversight. The bill makes no substantive policy changes but updates procedural timelines for the committee's existence.
HB 1684 allows personal delivery devices (like sidewalk robots or small delivery drones) to operate on bicycle paths, shoulders, parking lots, and areas adjacent to roadways in Tennessee, directly affecting delivery companies and local governments. The bill removes local governments' authority to ban these devices entirely - though they may still impose reasonable safety regulations - and sets a 20 mph speed limit for them. It also defines personal delivery devices as having pedestrian rights on sidewalks/crosswalks and cyclist rights elsewhere, aligning their operation with existing traffic rules for those areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1605 extends the expiration date of the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency from its current sunset date to June 30, 2030. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-247(a) and 4-29-251(a) to remove an outdated reference and formally include the agency within the relevant code sections. The bill directly affects the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, which manages development and operations related to Tellico Reservoir. It does not create new policies or alter the agency's functions - only extends its legal existence. The change ensures the agency can continue its current work without needing new legislation before 2030.
HB 1583 extends Tennessee's participation in the Interstate Compact for Supervision of Adult Offenders until June 30, 2034, preventing its automatic termination. This bill directly affects Tennessee's criminal justice system and state agencies responsible for managing the supervision of adult offenders who move between states. The key provision sets a new expiration date for the compact (replacing an earlier sunset date) and includes language allowing for potential continuation or restructuring of the compact after 2034. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29, and Title 40, Chapter 28) to implement this extension.
HB 1567 extends the operational period of Tennessee's Collateral Pool Board until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 5) to clarify the board's legal foundation and update its sunset date. This procedural change directly affects the board, which oversees collateral management for state financial operations. The legislation does not alter the board's functions or create new policies, only prolonging its existing authority.
HB 1609 extends the existence of the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder until June 30, 2031, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29, and Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 27, to update the council's statutory status and remove a referenced section. This extension directly affects the council's operations, allowing it to continue its work on autism-related issues in Tennessee. The change is procedural, focusing solely on the council's ongoing authorization without altering its duties or funding.
HB 1562 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Board of Examiners in Psychology from its current date to June 30, 2031. It accomplishes this by amending Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 11, specifically removing a prior sunset provision that would have ended the board's authority earlier. This change ensures the board remains operational to oversee psychology licensing and professional standards until 2031. The bill directly affects psychology professionals who rely on the board for licensure and regulation, without altering the board's current functions or requirements.
