Tennessee Bills

HB 1831 prohibits using or selling personal information (like home/work addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers) obtained from Tennessee government records for business purposes. It requires individuals requesting such records to sign an affidavit promising not to commercialize the data. Violating this rule is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine per person affected. The law does not apply if an individual explicitly authorizes the commercial use of their information.

HB 2039 prohibits requiring anyone to use programmable digital money (money with built-in transaction rules) for payments and bans issuers from denying transactions based on protected characteristics like political views, religion, gender, medical history, location, or business sector. It also requires issuers to provide written reasons for denied transactions within 90 days upon request. The bill defines "programmable money" as digital currency with automated transaction controls and designates violations as breaches of Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act. This directly affects consumers, businesses, and digital payment issuers operating within Tennessee.

HB 1487 requires Tennessee retail food stores and restaurants to inform customers whether fish they sell is imported, farm-raised, or wild. It mandates clear labeling at the point of sale - either on packaging or via a visible sign meeting specific size requirements - showing this origin information. Food suppliers must also disclose the origin and type (farm-raised/wild) to establishments, with penalties for noncompliance ranging from written warnings to fines up to $1,000 per violation. The law excludes processed fish and certain shellfish like crab or lobster from these requirements.

HJR 780 proposes adding a new constitutional right to Tennessee's Constitution, granting all residents the right to save and exchange seeds, grow food on eligible land (not zoned for non-agricultural use), and choose their own food for nourishment. It specifies these rights apply without trespassing, theft, or harming resources, and explicitly states they do not override state regulations on illegal substances. The bill would require a constitutional amendment vote after legislative approval, not immediate implementation. This is a procedural proposal, not an enacted law, and does not change current food or land-use regulations.

SB 1750 prevents Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation from blocking public water utilities (like city or county water systems) from pumping or withdrawing water from natural sources for drinking water, unless federal law specifically requires it. The bill allows the department to prohibit such water use only if mandated by federal laws like the Safe Drinking Water Act or Endangered Species Act, and requires them to provide written notice citing the exact federal law. This directly affects water utilities and the state department by limiting the department's authority to restrict water access for drinking water services. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to permit renewals and ongoing operations.

HB 298, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in Tennessee counties with populations exceeding 150,000 (based on 2020 census data) for rental purposes. It defines "single-family home" as detached, semi-detached, or townhomes with no shared utilities, and applies to corporations, LLCs, or investment groups (excluding government entities). The bill allows the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators for up to $100 per day per home, plus damages, attorney fees, or punitive penalties. It takes effect for new rental contracts signed after enactment, aiming to limit large-scale rental acquisitions in densely populated areas.

HB 936 amends Tennessee child care law to require that only nieces and nephews who are blood relatives (of the whole or half-blood) qualify as "related" to a primary caregiver for child care purposes. The bill revises Section 71-3-501(12) of the Tennessee Code by replacing the general term "nieces, nephews" with "nieces or nephews of the whole or half-blood." This change directly affects child care agencies and caregivers providing care for nieces/nephews, as it now excludes step-relatives or non-blood-related nieces/nephews. Previously, the law included all nieces and nephews without requiring a blood connection.

HB 1081 shortens the waiting period for clearing certain criminal records in Tennessee. It reduces the required time from 5 years to 3 years for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, and from 10 years to 6 years for Class D felonies after completing a sentence. This change directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who seek to have their records expunged. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-32-101(g)(2)(B) and (k)(1)(C) and takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 162 prohibits public water system operators in Tennessee from adding fluoride to drinking water. It directly affects all municipal water providers and utility districts that currently fluoridate their systems. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-221-711 to explicitly ban fluoride addition by water suppliers. The prohibition takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 2250 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS) to publicly share specific data about contracted child care providers by January 1, 2027. This includes provider lists, youth served, licensing details, funding sources (broken into state/federal), and violation records. Starting January 30, 2027, DCS must publish monthly website reports on short-term placements (like hotels or shelters), including usage statistics, stay lengths, and staff overtime. The bill directly affects DCS, child care providers, and the public by increasing transparency around child welfare services and placement practices.

HB 2594, the "Tennessee Kratom Consumer Protection Act," regulates Kratom products to ensure safety and transparency. It prohibits manufacturers and retailers from selling Kratom products containing more than 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine, synthetic alkaloids, or unsafe solvent levels, and requires third-party lab testing (COA) for contaminants like lead, arsenic, and bacteria. The bill mandates clear labeling with serving sizes, daily usage limits, and ingredient lists for all Kratom products sold in Tennessee. It directly affects Kratom processors, retailers, and consumers by establishing safety standards for this market. The legislation does not ban Kratom but sets specific safety and labeling requirements for its sale.

SB 2507 requires Tennessee's Contractors State Board to notify the Department of Commerce and Insurance whenever it posts disciplinary actions against contractors on its website. This bill directly affects the Contractors State Board (which enforces licensing rules) and the Department of Commerce and Insurance (which oversees insurance regulation). The key provision adds a mandatory notification step to the board's existing process, ensuring the Department is informed of disciplinary actions as soon as they are publicly posted. The bill does not change licensing standards or penalties but streamlines inter-agency communication about contractor violations.