Tennessee Bills

HB 2258 extends the deadline for local governments to hold public hearings on petitions to create business improvement districts, changing the timeframe from 45 to 60 days. This directly affects municipal governing bodies in Tennessee that receive valid petitions for central business improvement districts. The bill amends Tennessee Code (Title 5 and Title 7, Chapter 84, Part 5) to provide more time for public input before decisions are made. The change aims to allow greater community engagement without altering the district's operational requirements.

HB 2156 requires Tennessee's Department of Revenue to study whether making excise tax credits transferable to third parties (beyond the original recipient) would impact the state's economy. The study must assess potential economic effects, with findings due to tax committees by December 15, 2026. This bill does not change current tax law but mandates a review of a potential policy shift affecting businesses that claim excise tax credits.

HB 2186 allows counties with metropolitan government (like Nashville-Davidson County) to either charge a lower sales tax rate on food and food ingredients than other goods or fully exempt such sales from local sales tax. Counties must adopt this through a resolution and provide a certified copy to the state revenue department, with the change taking effect only starting October 1, 2026. This bill directly affects metropolitan counties by giving them flexibility in local food sales taxation, while deleting outdated provisions about metropolitan council membership reductions. The policy change is limited to food sales tax treatment and does not alter general sales tax rates for other items.

HB 2175 establishes regulations for delivery network companies (DNCs) like food or package delivery apps operating in Tennessee. It requires DNCs to conduct background checks on drivers, maintain specific insurance coverage (including minimum $100,000 liability while driving), provide customers with transparent pricing and driver details, and keep trip records for one year. The law directly affects DNCs, their drivers (who must use personal vehicles, not for-hire vehicles), and customers using these services. Key provisions take effect July 1, 2026, and exempt delivery services over 50 miles or involving for-hire vehicles.

HB 2108 extends the deadline for litigation financiers to update their registration with Tennessee's secretary of state from 30 to 35 days when their information changes or becomes inaccurate. This bill directly affects businesses that provide funding for lawsuits, requiring them to amend registrations more quickly if they operate in Tennessee. The change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Section 47-16-103(c), specifically adjusting the timeframe for registration updates. The bill does not alter the requirements for registration itself, only the period allowed to correct information.

HB 2382, the "Tennessee Reverse Mortgage Innovation Act," updates Tennessee's reverse mortgage regulations to modernize consumer protections and align with national practices. It requires lenders to verify borrowers received independent counseling from a department-approved counselor before closing, replacing prior references to Fannie Mae or HUD guidelines. The bill also prohibits cross-selling financial products (like annuities) as a condition of obtaining a reverse mortgage and clarifies that reverse mortgage loans are non-recourse. These changes directly affect senior homeowners seeking reverse mortgages and lenders offering such loans in Tennessee. The legislation aims to expand consumer choice while maintaining safeguards for vulnerable borrowers.

HB 2358 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Resources to annually transfer funds from the TANF rainy-day fund to the child care development fund (CCDF). This transfer must cover child care assistance through the "Smart Steps" program for families who qualify but cannot receive help due to insufficient CCDF funding. The bill limits transfers to 30% of the rainy-day fund (per federal rules) and mandates annual public reports detailing CCDF balances and expenditures. It directly affects low-income families seeking child care assistance and the state's child care funding system.

HB 2111 creates a state family advisory board within Tennessee's Department of Correction to directly support families of incarcerated individuals. The board will consist of nine appointed family members (including grandparents, parents, spouses, or other relatives), with three members selected by the governor and one from each of Tennessee's three grand divisions by the legislative leaders. Key provisions require the board to foster communication between families and the correctional department, strengthen family reunification efforts, support community reentry, and provide feedback on department activities through regular meetings and three annual public forums. The board will operate without pay but receive travel reimbursement, with members serving three-year terms starting in 2026.

HB 2219 requires local governments in Tennessee to comply with court orders that address "unlawful sanctuary policies" within 120 days of the court issuing the order. It directly affects cities and counties that have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (notably TCA 7-68-104) to remove a previous 90-day deadline, instead establishing the 120-day compliance window. This changes the timeframe local governments must follow when courts rule such policies violate state law. The bill focuses solely on the procedural requirement for local governments to align with court decisions, without altering immigration enforcement standards.

HB 2343 increases the amount of personal and professional leave teachers in Tennessee accumulate, changing the rate from one day per half-year to two days per half-year. This directly affects K-12 teachers and school personnel covered under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 49-5-711 and 49-5-205. The bill amends these sections to require local school boards to allow teachers two days of leave for each half-year worked, up from the current one-day rate. The change will take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

HB 2121, the "Better Spending, Better Schools Act of 2026," requires Tennessee local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to annually submit detailed spending reports to the state comptroller's office and the Department of Education by August 1. The reports must break down expenditures into specific categories like classroom instruction, student support services, administrative costs, and facility operations. The Department of Education must then publicly post these reports on the state’s school report card, alongside total state funding and local contributions for each school. This bill directly affects all Tennessee public schools and charter schools by mandating transparency in how education funds are spent.

HB 2178 changes the governance structure of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation by vacating its current board and creating a new 12-member board effective July 1, 2026. The board will consist of seven private-sector members (appointed by the governor, House speaker, and Senate speaker) and four public-sector members (appointed similarly), with specific initial term lengths. The bill also requires annual conflict-of-interest disclosures for board members and limits board meeting frequency to eight times per year. This procedural change affects only the corporation’s leadership structure, not its programs or public services.