Tennessee Bills

HB 525 urges the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to study the effects of vapor product sales and use by people under 21, and to recommend ways to reduce such use. The bill amends Tennessee Code to require this study, focusing specifically on how vapor products (like e-cigarettes) are marketed and consumed by youth. It does not change current laws or set new restrictions but directs the department to gather data for potential future legislative action. The study would inform decisions about youth vaping prevention without making immediate policy changes.

HB 438 requires Tennessee employers to post pay day notices in three conspicuous locations instead of two. This change directly affects all employers covered under Tennessee labor laws who must display their regular pay schedules. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 39, 49, 50, and 62) to update the posting requirement. It makes no other policy changes and focuses solely on increasing the number of required posting locations for employee pay notices.

HB 209 requires the Tennessee Department of Revenue and the Department of Safety to publicly inform drivers about an existing option to voluntarily indicate on their vehicle registration or driver's license that they have an intellectual or developmental disability or medical condition affecting communication. This applies specifically to drivers who need assistance with expressive language or communicating needs due to such conditions. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law to authorize these agencies to take reasonable steps - like website updates or brochures - to publicize the availability of this designation. It does not create a new requirement but ensures drivers are aware of the current option to signal communication needs to officials.

HB 211 changes the deadline for the Tennessee Department of Transportation to submit its annual report on projects funded by the transportation modernization fund from January 1 to January 15 each year. The bill amends Section 54-2-202(a) of the Tennessee Code to implement this new reporting timeline. This adjustment directly affects the Department of Transportation's annual schedule for submitting the report. The bill does not alter the content or requirements of the report, only the submission date.

HB 204 amends Tennessee law to change the deadline for the TennCare bureau's annual report on perinatal care quality and outcomes from March 1 to January 15 each year. This procedural change affects the TennCare bureau (Tennessee's Medicaid program), requiring them to submit the report earlier after consulting with the perinatal advisory committee and relevant state agencies. The report covers quality and outcomes data from the previous two fiscal years or calendar years, as available. The bill does not alter the content or requirements of the report, only the submission timeline.

HB 339 amends Tennessee law to require the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to file its biennial report of recommendations and findings directly with the governor, rather than with commission members. This change affects the commission's reporting process and ensures the governor receives the report as part of state government oversight. The bill updates specific sections of Tennessee Code (Titles 4, 8, 41, 52, 57, and 58) to reflect this new filing requirement. As a procedural bill, it does not alter the commission's duties or the content of its reports.

HB 336 increases the mandatory audit rate for Tennessee general assembly candidates and their committees from 4% to 5% of all candidates selected annually by the Registry of Election Finance. This change directly affects all candidates running for state legislative office and their campaign committees by raising the likelihood of financial audits. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 2, 3, and 8 to implement this higher audit threshold. The policy change modifies the existing audit selection process without altering campaign finance limits or disclosure requirements.

HB 286 requires each Tennessee state agency head to complete periodic training to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 2007. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 5, by adding a new section mandating the training for agency heads. The key provision is the requirement for regular training sessions focused on regulatory compliance under the specified act. It directly affects state agency leadership by adding a procedural obligation to their administrative duties. The bill does not change substantive regulations but establishes a training requirement for agency heads to meet existing legal standards.

HB 340 requires all Tennessee state departments and agencies to electronically submit employee job performance evaluations to the Commissioner of Human Resources. This affects every state agency with an appointing authority, as they must now use digital systems for these reports instead of manual methods. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate electronic reporting, streamlining how performance data is collected and shared across state agencies. The requirement takes effect upon the bill's enactment.

HB 353 shortens the annual reporting deadline for Tennessee's financial institutions commissioner. It reduces the time from 60 to 45 days after each calendar year for the commissioner to submit reports to the governor. This change directly affects the commissioner of financial institutions and streamlines the state's oversight process. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 45, Section 45-1-119(a), with no other substantive policy changes.

HB 292 requires Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development to submit an annual report to specific legislative committees. The report must include details about regional authorities created the previous year, such as the involved municipalities, land acquired or improved, project financing methods, and other relevant information. This bill directly affects the department (which must prepare the report) and the Senate Finance Committee and House Finance Committee (which receive it). The law aims to increase transparency around regional authority projects without changing how those authorities operate.

HB 334 requires Tennessee state agencies and departments to post their existing policies, practices, and procedures related to recruiting, hiring, advancing, and retaining qualified individuals with disabilities on their official websites. This applies directly to all state agencies, including departments like health, education, and transportation, by mandating transparency in their disability-inclusive employment processes. The key mechanism is a specific posting requirement added to agency leadership responsibilities, making these policies publicly accessible online. The bill does not create new hiring standards but ensures current disability employment practices are visible to the public and job seekers. This focuses solely on administrative transparency, not on changing disability employment outcomes.