Tennessee Bills

SB 1468 designates the Tennessee Army National Guard armory in McNairy County as the "Brigadier General Donald F. Hawkins Army National Guard Armory" to honor his 36-year military service, including his retirement as commander of the 30th Separate Armored Brigade. The bill amends Tennessee Code to rename the facility and requires the National Guard to install appropriate signage. It directly affects the physical designation of the armory building in McNairy County. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy or funding changes beyond the naming.

HB 2259 (Tennessee) protects healthcare providers and organizations when discussing adverse patient incidents with patients or families. It states that good-faith communications about quality improvement committee (QIC) activities - such as explaining what happened after a medical error - are not considered waivers of legal confidentiality protections. These discussions, including offers of resolution, remain privileged, cannot be used in court, and do not imply liability. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, patients, and families in Tennessee by creating a safe space for open communication after adverse incidents without legal risk.

HB 2374 changes Tennessee court procedures for handling bench warrants when defendants fail to appear. It removes the requirement for courts to enter certain misdemeanor (violent/sexual) or non-violent felony bench warrants into state/federal databases, extends the time for entering felony warrants from 3 to 10 business days, and makes it optional for courts to relieve bail bond sureties of liability if warrants aren't entered within that timeframe. The bill directly affects courts, bail bond companies, and defendants who skip court appearances. These changes modify administrative processes but do not alter criminal definitions or penalties.

HB 2157 changes the timeframe for notifying retired law enforcement officers about denied firearm permit applications. Specifically, it extends the notice period from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, requiring the state POST commission to provide this notification within the new window. The bill directly affects retired officers who apply for firearm carry permits and are denied. This is a procedural adjustment to the existing notification process, with no new requirements or substantive policy changes. (Bill text: Amends TCA §38-8-123(d)(2) to replace "ten (10) days" with "ten (10) business days.")

HB 2386 allows Tennessee counties, municipalities, or metropolitan governments to require developers to pay for necessary offsite public infrastructure (such as roads, utilities, or stormwater systems) that serve future development beyond the project site. The bill establishes that costs must be based on the development’s proportional impact on infrastructure, with local governments having 60 days to approve agreements. If disagreements arise, the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation can determine the cost-sharing amount. This directly affects developers planning new construction projects and local governments managing infrastructure planning.

HB 2369 increases the monthly supervision fee for defendants under court supervision from $10 to $15. It also requires municipalities to pay autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state covers them. Additionally, the bill reclassifies illegal possession of communication devices in prisons as a Class E felony (previously a fine-only offense). These changes directly affect defendants paying fees, municipalities managing autopsy costs, and inmates facing new felony charges for prison device violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 2366 prevents Tennessee local governments (cities, towns, or counties) from blocking access to designated tourism development zones, except during emergencies or for large events with approved contracts. The bill ensures businesses within these zones can receive deliveries and visitors can freely enter and exit. It specifically prohibits local authorities from disrupting traffic flow, blocking streets, or restricting taxis/public transit access within these zones. The law applies to all tourism zones created through local ordinances.

HB 2246 regulates stem cell therapies in Tennessee by requiring physicians performing such treatments (for orthopedics, wound care, or pain management) to source stem cells only from facilities registered with the FDA and accredited by specific organizations like the National Marrow Donor Program. The bill mandates that facilities provide detailed accreditation documentation to physicians and include a post-thaw viability report for each cell batch. Physicians must also disclose in all advertisements that the therapy is not FDA-approved and encourage patients to consult their primary care provider. The law explicitly excludes stem cell therapies derived from fetal or embryonic sources.

HB 2251 creates a pilot program for criminal magistrates in Tennessee's 10 counties with the highest criminal court caseloads, as identified by the comptroller's annual study. Counties must pass an ordinance to establish the position, after which local judges appoint magistrates to handle specific duties like arraignments, initial hearings, bond setting, plea acceptances for minor offenses, and warrant issuance. Magistrates serve four-year terms at the judges' pleasure and are compensated from county funds, with removal possible by majority vote of the judges. This bill directly affects criminal court operations in those 10 counties by adding a new role to manage caseloads, without altering the structure of county courts.

HB 2408 requires Tennessee's Public Utility Commission to include an annual report on telemarketing compliance in its regular report to state legislators. This report specifically tracks whether companies follow state rules about making unsolicited phone or text calls to home phone users. The bill directs this additional report to be sent to the chairs of two key legislative committees: the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. It does not change existing telemarketing laws but adds a new reporting requirement for the commission. The bill is currently pending review in the Senate Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.

HB 2314 changes the deadline for county boards to notify applicants about adult-oriented establishment license applications from 10 calendar days to 10 business days after receiving investigation results. This adjustment excludes weekends and public holidays, making the timeline more practical for business operations. The bill directly affects applicants seeking licenses for adult-oriented establishments and the county boards that process these applications. It is a procedural change that modifies notification timing without altering licensing criteria or standards.

HB 2317, the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act," creates a new criminal offense for adults who groom minors (under 18) or mentally compromised individuals (e.g., those with autism, intellectual disabilities, or severe mental health conditions) for sexual exploitation. It defines "grooming" as using electronic or in-person communication to build trust or control with the intent to facilitate sexual contact, simulated sexual contact, or exploitation. Penalties range from a Class E felony (standard) to a Class A felony (if victim is under 13) or higher, depending on victim age, prior offenses, or the offender’s position of trust. The bill supplements existing child protection laws and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.