Tennessee Bills

SB 394 allows home buyers and borrowers to select their own closing company for real estate transactions in Tennessee. It prohibits sellers from requiring a specific closing company and prevents that company from charging fees to sellers without the written consent of the seller's attorney. Sellers may hire their own attorney to handle closing matters, but the closing company must obtain the attorney's approval before collecting any fees from the seller. This bill directly affects buyers, sellers, closing companies, and title insurance providers involved in property sales.

HB 1254 requires state or local governments to provide law enforcement officers with written notice of reasons for being placed on a "Brady list" (a list of officers with unresolved concerns) before final placement. It gives officers at least 10 business days to respond to the allegations before the list placement becomes final. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers in Tennessee and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 38, Chapter 8, to establish this procedural safeguard.

HB 569 gives home buyers and borrowers in Tennessee the exclusive right to select their own closing agent (a company handling real estate transaction paperwork and funds) for property sales or loans. It prohibits sellers from forcing buyers to use a specific closing agent or tying contracts to such choices. Sellers may hire their own licensed attorney to represent them during closing - covering fee negotiations, document review, and deed preparation - but the chosen closing agent cannot charge the seller for services without the attorney’s written consent. The law applies to all Tennessee real estate transactions and takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 878 clarifies that when clerks of specific Tennessee courts fail to collect and pay privilege taxes on court litigation, the unpaid amount becomes a personal debt owed by the clerk, not the court. This directly affects clerks handling litigation in courts listed under Tennessee law (e.g., county or circuit courts). The bill amends state code to explicitly state that uncollected privilege taxes are the clerk’s financial obligation, shifting responsibility from the court system. It does not change tax rates or create new taxes, but ensures clerks are accountable for collected funds. The bill is procedural, focusing on clarifying existing tax collection responsibilities.

SB 1099 clarifies that court clerks who fail to collect and pay privilege taxes on litigation (like filing fees) become personally liable for those unpaid amounts as debts. It directly affects clerks of specified courts by making them responsible for these taxes under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 67-4-605(a) and references Title 40, changing the rule to state uncollected taxes are the clerk’s debt. This is a procedural adjustment to existing tax collection requirements, not a new policy.

HB 181 creates an additional circuit court in Tennessee's 28th judicial district, covering Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood counties, effective September 1, 2025. The governor will appoint a judge to serve until September 2026, after which voters in the district will elect a judge for an initial eight-year term starting in 2026. This change directly affects residents of those three counties by expanding local judicial capacity. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16, Chapter 2, to establish this new court position and its appointment/election process.

SB 166 creates one additional circuit court position in Tennessee's 28th judicial district, which covers Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood counties, effective September 1, 2025. The governor will appoint a judge to serve until the August 2026 general election, after which voters will elect a judge for an eight-year term. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 16, Chapter 2, increases judicial capacity in the district to address caseloads, with the new court position becoming permanent following the 2026 election.

SB 377, the "Tennessee Procurement Protection Act," prohibits Tennessee state agencies and local governments from purchasing goods or services from "foreign adversary companies" - defined as entities based in or controlled by countries designated by the U.S. as national security threats (e.g., China, Russia). Companies bidding on state contracts must certify they are not foreign adversary companies, with false certifications risking fines up to $250,000 or twice the contract value, contract termination, and a 60-month bidding ban. Exceptions allow purchases from such companies only if no alternative exists and the purchase is pre-approved by the state department after assessing security risks. The law aims to ensure state procurement avoids suppliers vulnerable to foreign influence, effective July 1, 2025.

HB 548, the "Tennessee Procurement Protection Act," prohibits state agencies and local governments from purchasing goods or services from companies based in countries designated as "foreign adversaries" by the U.S. Commerce Department. It requires bidders to certify they are not foreign adversary companies and imposes penalties - including $250,000 fines or contract termination - for false certifications. The law allows exceptions only if no alternatives exist and the department approves the contract after assessing risks. This directly affects suppliers seeking state contracts and state agencies managing procurement processes.

SB 1464 requires Tennessee state and local government entities to keep confidential the personal information (like names and addresses) of officers involved in immigration enforcement, as well as details about future enforcement operations (such as dates, locations, and strategies). This applies to all state and local officials handling such records, with violations punishable as a Class E felony for reckless disclosure or removal from office. The law explicitly excludes information already public under federal law or court orders and does not prevent law enforcement from sharing necessary information for immigration enforcement. It amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to enforce this confidentiality and penalties.

SB 1469 prohibits minors under 14 from creating and sharing paid video content on online platforms. It requires parents or guardians who feature such minors in compensated content to set aside a portion of earnings in a trust account for the minor’s future benefit. The bill also grants individuals who were minors featured in this content the right to request permanent deletion of those videos once they turn 18. Violations of the under-14 prohibition carry a $2,000 civil penalty per incident, paid to the state labor commissioner.

This House Joint Resolution formally recognizes Sheeva Chourazghi-Azad for her service as a legislative intern for Representative Vincent Dixie. The bill commends her contributions to the General Assembly during the 2026 session and acknowledges her background in public advocacy and community leadership.