Tennessee Bills

This bill extends the operational deadline of Tennessee's State Insurance Committee from its previous sunset date to June 30, 2032. It makes minor technical amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to the committee's structure (specifically updating references in Title 4, Chapter 29, and Title 8, Chapter 27, Part 2). The change ensures the committee continues its current role in overseeing insurance regulations without requiring new legislation to maintain its existence. This is a procedural adjustment affecting the committee's ongoing operations, not a substantive policy change.

SB 1531 extends the Northwest Tennessee human resource agency's operation until June 30, 2030, by amending Tennessee Code. The bill updates the agency's legal authorization period, removing a prior expiration date to ensure continued service. This directly affects the agency's ongoing operations and the communities in Northwest Tennessee that rely on its human resource programs. The change is a straightforward procedural extension without altering the agency's core functions or funding.

SB 1564 extends the existence of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency until June 30, 2030, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends Tennessee Code to update references to the agency in Titles 4 and 13, ensuring its continued operation under current structure. This extension directly affects the agency’s ability to provide workforce development services to residents in the Upper Cumberland region. The bill does not change the agency’s programs or funding, only its operational timeline. It is currently pending in the Senate after committee recommendations.

HB 1585 extends the sunset date for Tennessee's Local Education Insurance Committee to June 30, 2032, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-253. The bill removes a reference to a repealed provision and adds the committee as a defined entity in the code, ensuring its continued operation. This change directly affects the committee itself, which manages insurance programs for local education agencies. The extension prevents the committee's automatic termination, providing ongoing administrative structure for education insurance oversight.

HB 1612 extends the existence of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission until June 30, 2030, by amending Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to the commission (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 2). The bill directly affects the commission itself, which oversees state higher education policy and funding. Key provisions include deleting an outdated reference and adding a new definition to clarify the commission's legal structure. This is a procedural extension with no new policy changes, simply prolonging the commission's current operation.

SB 1548 extends the operating authority of the Tellico Reservoir development agency until June 30, 2030, by amending Tennessee Code sections related to the agency's legal framework. This bill directly affects the Tellico Reservoir development agency, which manages development and operations around the Tellico Reservoir in eastern Tennessee. The key change removes an automatic expiration date and updates the relevant statutes to ensure the agency can continue its work without needing new legislation before 2030. The bill does not alter the agency's functions or funding, only its legal duration.

HB 1592 extends the existence of Tennessee's Pest Control Advisory Board until June 30, 2030, by amending two sections of state law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 62, Chapter 21). The bill deletes an outdated reference in one section and adds a new reference to the advisory board in another section to formalize its continued operation. This change directly affects the Pest Control Advisory Board, ensuring its ongoing role in advising the state on pest control regulations. The bill makes no other policy changes beyond extending the board's operational timeline.

HB 1591 extends the existence of Tennessee's Office of Business Enterprise until June 30, 2030, by amending related sections of the Tennessee Code. The bill removes a reference to the office in Section 4-29-247(a) and adds it as a defined term in Section 4-29-251(a). This procedural bill does not change the office's duties or who it serves; it only delays the office's scheduled expiration date. The extension applies to the existing agency structure without altering its functions or scope.

SB 367 amends Tennessee election laws to enhance voter registration verification and voting procedures. It requires monthly checks of voter databases against federal/state databases (like the SAVE program) to confirm U.S. citizenship, and creates a process where registered voters can challenge others' registration qualifications in writing with a hearing. The bill also mandates that voters who register by mail or online must vote in person for their first election with ID proof, unless they're on the permanent absentee list or in an address confidentiality program. Additionally, it requires optical scanners to handle hand-marked ballots without unreadable codes and saves digital ballot images at 600 DPI for public review after elections. These changes directly affect all Tennessee voters, election officials, and the registration/voting process.

SB 717 requires Tennessee public utilities (like water, gas, and electric providers in counties or cities) to let customers choose their own contractors for installing utility infrastructure, rather than forcing customers to use the utility’s own services. Utilities may still set reasonable construction and material specifications but cannot mandate specific vendors or manufacturers. The bill also sets a 30-day timeline for utilities to review customer plans (capping fees at $1,000) and automatically approves plans if reviews exceed this timeframe or fees are too high. This directly affects residential and business customers of Tennessee utilities who want to hire independent contractors for new installations.

SB 674 prohibits local governments in Tennessee from creating employment rules that conflict with or exceed state or federal law. It requires all workplace terms - such as wages, hours, or benefits - to align strictly with state or federal standards, blocking cities or counties from enacting stricter requirements. This directly affects local governments, preventing them from setting higher protections for workers than what is established at the state or federal level. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-51-1802 and 50, clarifying state preemption over employment regulation.

HB 974 allows auctioneers to send required written notices about going-out-of-business vehicle auctions to the Motor Vehicle Commission electronically instead of by mail. This bill directly affects auctioneers selling vehicles during such sales, changing the submission method from physical mail to electronic delivery. The law amends Tennessee statutes to permit this electronic notification process, streamlining administrative requirements for auctioneers. It does not alter the underlying requirement to provide these notices or the scope of sales covered.