Tennessee Bills

This bill honors the Watertown High School Band and its director for hosting the 3rd Annual Tennessee Small Band Association State Championship, while also recognizing other participating bands and directors from the event. It formally acknowledges the Tennessee Small Band Association, which was created in 2022 to provide state championship opportunities for public schools with fewer than 500 students and bands with 30 or fewer instruments. The resolution congratulates the winning bands and soloist from the 2025 championship and extends best wishes for their future endeavors.

This bill honors Parker Belle Hayes, a 2026 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, by formally recognizing her academic and community achievements. The resolution acknowledges her completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in just two years and nine months, her leadership roles in the Phi Mu sorority, and her volunteer work at Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. It also notes her entrepreneurial success by mentioning her boutique sewing business, Stitched by PB. The measure serves as a commemorative gesture from the Tennessee General Assembly rather than establishing new laws or policies.

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally recognizes William "Ed" Bryant of Campbell County on the occasion of his retirement. It honors his over thirty years of dedicated service to communities in Jellico, Newcomb, and surrounding areas, particularly through his work with Catholic Charities leading the Crazy Quilt Appalachian outreach ministry program. The resolution highlights his contributions to food distribution, organizing toy giveaways for hundreds of children annually, and hosting arts camps for local youth. This commemorative measure does not create new laws or policies but serves to publicly acknowledge his community service and express well wishes for his retirement.

This bill honors the White County High School Lady Warriors basketball team for reaching the state championship game as runners-up in the TSSAA Division I, Class 3A tournament. The resolution formally acknowledges the team's achievement as their first state tournament appearance since 1997 and recognizes their success alongside their coach and community supporters. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial recognition of the team's athletic accomplishment.

HB 2182 requires Tennessee counties and municipalities to phase in funding reductions from population declines over five years instead of implementing them all at once. The bill mandates that the first year's cut cannot exceed 20% of the total projected loss, with additional 20% increments applied each subsequent year until full adjustment aligns with revised population data. This applies to annual revenue allocations based on population certifications from the Department of Economic and Community Development. If a jurisdiction's population increases during the phase-in period, the reduction schedule recalculates accordingly.

SB 2264 amends Tennessee's lobbying laws to require that local government entities - including school boards, municipal utilities, and county or city departments - must register as employers of lobbyists when they hire contractors or representatives to lobby on their behalf. Previously, these entities were exempt from this classification, but the bill removes that exemption. The law now treats these local entities as direct employers of lobbyists, subjecting them to the same reporting and registration requirements as other lobbying employers. This change applies only to local government entities; state government agencies remain exempt under the updated law.

SB 2443 restricts unmanned traffic cameras near school zones to operate only when warning flashers are active or when children are present (if no flashers exist). It directly affects school zones and traffic enforcement systems in Tennessee by limiting camera use to specific times of heightened student activity. The bill amends Tennessee law to require cameras to function solely during these designated periods, rather than continuously within school zone boundaries. This change focuses on aligning camera enforcement with actual student presence or active safety measures.

This House Joint Resolution (HJR 962) is a ceremonial resolution honoring Caryville Police Chief Freddie Stagnolia upon his retirement. It recognizes his over 30 years of law enforcement service, including roles as a full-time officer, sheriff's office employee, and Caryville Police Chief since 2022. The resolution commends his dedication to public safety and community service, extending "best wishes for much continued success and happiness" during retirement. As a commemorative measure with no policy or funding impact, it directly affects Chief Stagnolia as the honoree.

HB 1497 requires all Tennessee municipalities to hold local elections on the same dates as statewide August primaries or November general elections, instead of separate municipal elections. It makes municipal elections partisan (candidates run under political party labels), standardizes referendum timelines for new municipalities, and ensures election dates align with state election schedules. The bill also specifies that current officials' terms remain unaffected, and new municipal elections must follow the state’s August/November election cycle after initial adoption. These changes apply to all cities and towns in Tennessee through amendments to state election laws.

HB 1754 is a study bill that does not change current law but requests the Tennessee Department of Transportation (DOT), with input from the Department of Revenue, to examine whether requiring personal boat trailers to be registered in Tennessee would affect transportation infrastructure. If the study occurs, DOT must report findings and recommendations to relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects potential future policy decisions about boat trailer registration but does not impose new requirements on boat owners. It is procedural in nature, focusing on gathering data before any legislative action. The bill has been referred to the Transportation Committee for further review.

HB 2038 defines gold and silver coins as legal tender in Tennessee, meaning they can be used to pay debts within the state. The bill prohibits anyone from forcing another person to accept these coins as payment, unless specifically agreed upon or required by law. This affects all individuals, businesses, and government entities in Tennessee who might encounter disputes over using gold or silver coins for transactions. The law establishes the coins' legal status while preventing coercion in their acceptance.

HB 1762 requires that deeds transferring real property in Tennessee be prepared only by an attorney licensed in Tennessee, a licensed title insurance agent, the property owner themselves, or a person legally authorized to act on the owner's behalf. It mandates that preparers must include a sworn declaration (for attorneys/title agents) or a notarized affidavit (for owners) verifying their qualifications, directly affecting anyone transferring property. The bill amends multiple state codes to enforce this rule, with exceptions for government deeds and certain financial institutions. It takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all property transfers after that date.