Tennessee Bills

HB 560 clarifies that the monthly list of taxpayers delinquent in paying professional privilege tax - which the Tennessee Commissioner of Revenue sends to licensing boards - is subject to restrictions on how those boards can use the list. The bill directly affects licensing agencies (like those for doctors or lawyers) that receive this list, requiring them to follow rules set by the Commissioner of Revenue regarding its use. It amends Tennessee tax law to explicitly state that the commissioner may determine restrictions on the list’s application, such as limiting its use to specific enforcement purposes. This change ensures licensing boards cannot misuse the list beyond the commissioner’s defined boundaries. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new obligations, only clarifying existing data-sharing procedures.

HB 497 (Tennessee) amends state law to provide a five-day grace period for assistant district attorneys general and criminal investigators to submit late expense accounts. Specifically, it changes the rule that previously disallowed unpaid expense accounts for late submission, requiring instead that accounts must not be paid unless these employees submit them within five days of the month's end with an explanation. The bill directly affects these two specific public employee roles in the criminal justice system. It takes effect June 30, 2025. This is a procedural change to existing compensation rules, not a substantive policy shift.

HB 508 extends the refund period for Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) in Tennessee from 30 to 60 days after policy delivery. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these policies, giving them more time to review coverage and request a premium refund if unsatisfied. The bill requires all policies to include a clear notice about the 60-day refund window prominently on the first page. It will take effect January 1, 2026, for policies delivered on or after that date.

HB 513 changes a reporting deadline for Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation. It moves the date by which the commissioner must submit water quality reports under the Water Quality Control Act of 1977 from January 31 to February 15 each year. This affects the state agency responsible for environmental reporting and legislative committees that review these reports. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and is purely procedural with no substantive policy changes.

HB 516 requires the Tennessee Department of Health to include the legislative librarian as a recipient of annual reports from county or district health departments operating needle and syringe exchange programs. These reports must detail specific data, including the number of people served, needles/syringes dispensed and returned, naloxone kits distributed, and treatment referrals made. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 14, 29, 33, 37, 39, 53, 56, 63, 68, and 71) to add this reporting requirement. The change does not alter program operations or funding but expands transparency by directing this data to the legislative librarian.

HB 517 changes the annual reporting deadline for Tennessee's Health Facilities Commission. Specifically, it delays the submission of the commission's report on nursing home inspections and enforcement activities from February 1 to July 1 each year. The report must still be submitted to the governor, the House chief clerk, and the Senate chief clerk. This procedural adjustment affects only the commission's reporting schedule, with no changes to inspection standards or nursing home regulations.

HB 511 requires healthcare providers, clinics, facilities, and other entities that contract with health insurance companies for patient care reimbursement to notify those insurers "as soon as practicable" if they experience a cyber-attack. This applies to all Tennessee entities billing insurers for healthcare services, directly affecting providers and insurers. The key provision mandates timely notification to help insurers protect patient data and manage claims during incidents. The bill amends Tennessee insurance and health codes (Titles 33, 56, 63, 68, and 71) to establish this requirement.

HB 610 shortens the deadline for Tennessee political parties to file their operating rules with election officials. It requires parties to submit these rules within 15 days of adoption (instead of the current 30 days) to maintain ballot access for nominees and other party rights. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections governing elections to implement this change. This directly affects all political parties seeking to participate in Tennessee elections by altering their filing timeline. The policy change is purely procedural, focusing on the timing of document submission without altering election eligibility or voting procedures.

HB 450 shortens the waiting period for expunging certain criminal records in Tennessee from 15 to 10 years after completing a sentence for illegal voting or registration offenses. It directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who seek to clear their records. The bill amends Tennessee law to reduce the required time from 15 years to 10 years before filing for expunction. The change would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted.

HB 507 requires the commissioner of health to include the legislative librarian as a recipient of the annual report on dental supervision in state institutions. The bill amends existing law by adding the legislative librarian to the list of officials who receive this report, which covers the commissioner's work overseeing dentists and dental equipment. This procedural change ensures the legislative librarian receives the same information as other designated recipients, without altering the report's content or scope.

HB 628 extends the deadline for emergency medical services (EMS) employees retired from Tennessee's Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) to return to EMS work without losing retirement benefits. Specifically, it changes the expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2028, for those who retired at least 60 days prior. This applies to TCRS retirees meeting certain conditions who accept new EMS employment. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 8-36-811(c) and relevant parts of Title 68 regarding EMS retirement benefits.

HB 488 shortens the deadline for clerks of court to notify the Health Facilities Commission about certain convictions. Specifically, it reduces the timeframe from 90 to 60 calendar days after a conviction for offenses against elderly or vulnerable adults. This change applies to cases where the conviction would require inclusion on the registry of individuals who have abused, neglected, or exploited vulnerable individuals. The bill directly affects clerks of court and the registry process, streamlining the reporting timeline without altering the offenses or registry requirements.