Tennessee Bills

SB 1512 extends the existence of Tennessee's Department of Agriculture until June 30, 2030, by removing an automatic termination date (sunset provision) in state law. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code (Title 4, Chapters 29; 3, Parts 1 and 2) to clarify the department's ongoing authority. This procedural change ensures the department continues operating without needing new legislation before 2030. The bill directly affects the Department of Agriculture and its ability to administer ongoing programs. It does not create new policies or alter existing programs, only extending the department's statutory life.

SB 1558 extends the Tennessee public charter school commission's authority until June 30, 2030, by amending relevant state codes. It directly affects the commission itself, which oversees public charter schools, by preventing its automatic termination. The bill makes technical updates to legal references (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 49, Chapter 13) to reflect this extension. This is a procedural change with no new policies or funding impacts.

This bill requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to conduct annual education assessments for inmates serving felony sentences. The assessments determine each inmate's highest education level and interest in continuing or advancing their studies. The department must then provide written notice within 90 days of the assessment about available educational programs. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 1594 amends Tennessee law to protect healthcare provider reimbursement information submitted to the state's financial officer (comptroller of the treasury) from public disclosure. The bill adds this specific type of data to the existing list of proprietary information that cannot be requested under public records laws. This change directly affects healthcare providers who submit reimbursement details to the comptroller, as it prevents those records from being made public. The policy change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 71-5-142 to explicitly include the comptroller's reimbursement data under protected categories.

SB 1886 reduces the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame board's executive committee size from seven to six members and adds a new duty requiring the board to set the hall's strategic direction, financial oversight, and mission. It also shortens the timeline for the board to submit its annual operational plan to the commissioner from an unspecified period to 90 days before each calendar year begins. The bill directly affects the Hall of Fame board and its relationship with the commissioner of tourist development. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key operational changes.)

HB 1453 removes a requirement for Portland to hold a public referendum when selling, leasing, or disposing of the city's water or light plant assets. The bill deletes existing provisions (from Chapter 568 of 1939) that mandated referendums for these transactions, instead requiring only approval by Portland's city council with a two-thirds vote. This change directly affects Portland's local government authority over its public utility assets. The bill remains procedural and does not alter the city's ability to manage these assets, only the approval process.

SB 273 amends Tennessee law to clarify that school employees do not commit a criminal offense when updating a student's grade in official records after the student retakes a failed course, exam, or assignment and earns credit through a valid academic program. This specifically applies to grade changes made under retake policies, removing potential criminal liability for such updates under TCA Section 39-14-136. The bill directly affects school staff (like teachers and administrators) who manage academic records, ensuring they are not prosecuted for routine grade corrections tied to retake programs. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and focuses solely on defining when grade adjustments are legally permissible.

SB 350 prohibits Tennessee landlords from banning tenants from lawfully possessing, carrying, or storing firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition in their leased homes, apartments, or businesses, or in vehicles parked on landlord-controlled property. It directly affects tenants and landlords statewide, requiring lease agreements to comply with this rule starting July 1, 2025, with existing leases needing amendment by July 1, 2026. The bill voids any lease terms conflicting with this prohibition after July 1, 2025, and allows tenants to sue landlords for damages if they violate the law. It applies to all residential leases governed by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 66.

SB 175 changes Tennessee's parole and furlough rules for inmates with serious medical conditions. It removes the requirement that an inmate must be "chronically debilitated" to be certified for parole, and expands eligibility for furloughs when an inmate cannot perform basic daily tasks in prison due to a medical condition. The bill affects inmates with health issues that limit their ability to manage daily activities in a correctional setting. These changes update Tennessee Code Sections 40-35-501 (parole eligibility) and 41-21-227 (furlough criteria), but the bill remains pending in the Senate.

SB 336 changes Tennessee's voting rights laws by removing permanent voting bans for people convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, or voter fraud. It updates the child support requirement from "being current in all obligations" to "compliant with all current child support orders" (allowing those with past arrears to regain voting rights). The bill also adds a 3-year waiting period after sentence completion for those convicted of the specified crimes before they can petition to restore voting rights. This directly affects individuals with these specific convictions who were previously barred from voting indefinitely.

SB 2423 amends Tennessee law to prohibit all artificial food dyes in school food and beverages, expanding from the current restriction on only Red 40 (Allura Red AC). It requires local education agencies and public charter schools to stop selling, offering for sale, or providing to students any food or beverage containing artificial dyes on school property through school nutrition programs or authorized third parties. This change affects all public schools in Tennessee that sell or distribute food on campus. The bill takes effect upon becoming law.

This bill honors Levi Rochell, a 2026 Top Ten Senior at Wayne County High School, by formally recognizing his academic achievements. The resolution commends his 98.091 grade point average and participation in extracurricular activities like Math Club and BETA Club. It extends official congratulations from the Tennessee General Assembly to Rochell and his family for his outstanding performance in high school.