Tennessee Bills

HJR 757 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Elizabeth Lorenza McPhee, a retired educator and longtime advocate for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and her community. It formally recognizes her 40-year career in education, her role as MTSU's First Lady, and her volunteer work with organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Murfreesboro Domestic Violence Center. The resolution expresses the legislature's condolences to her family and commemorates her legacy of public service. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any group beyond this symbolic tribute.

This is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 253), not a substantive bill. It formally honors Dean Estes, the 2025 valedictorian of Chester County High School, for his academic achievements. The resolution expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's commendation of his high school accomplishments and best wishes for his future. It does not create new laws, change policies, or affect any rights or obligations - its sole purpose is to recognize an individual student's achievement through symbolic praise.

SB 27 limits the governor's emergency powers by prohibiting executive orders, proclamations, or rules from overriding or conflicting with the Tennessee Constitution. It specifically restricts the governor from suspending procedural requirements for state agencies or laws governing how state business operates during emergencies. The bill requires that any suspension of such procedures must be strictly necessary to address the emergency, with no broader exceptions. This directly affects the governor's authority to issue emergency directives under Tennessee law.

HB 1411 changes Hardeman County's school budget deadline, requiring the Hardeman County School Board to submit its annual budget by the first Monday in May instead of the first Monday in April. The bill amends a 1937 law to specify this new timeline for submitting itemized budget estimates needed for the upcoming school year. It also requires Hardeman County's legislative body to approve the bill with a two-thirds vote before it takes effect. This change directly affects only Hardeman County's school board and budget process.

HB 1425 amends local law for the City of Red Boiling Springs to increase the mayor's annual salary from $5,200 to $18,200 and council members' annual salaries from $500 to $1,800. The bill requires the city's legislative body to approve the changes by a two-thirds vote before implementation. Current officials' salaries remain unchanged during their existing terms, and the law takes effect upon local approval as required by the bill.

HB 1431 amends Portland's city charter by removing outdated provisions (specifically Article XII) and replacing them with a notice that the section is repealed. The bill requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Portland's city council before it becomes effective. This procedural change updates the city's charter to eliminate obsolete language without creating new policy.

HB 1433 repeals a wheel tax that Wayne County residents and businesses had paid under Chapter 75 of the Private Acts of 2004. The bill directly affects Wayne County by eliminating this specific local tax, but its implementation requires a two-thirds vote approval from Wayne County's legislative body. The repeal becomes effective only after local approval, as specified in the bill's Section 2, and the state law was signed by the Governor on May 21, 2025. This change removes a longstanding tax provision without altering other county fiscal policies.

SB 384 changes Tennessee's hotel tax law to require operators to stop charging the tax after a guest stays 30 consecutive days in a hotel. Specifically, once a guest maintains occupancy for 30 days, the hotel must remit all collected tax to the municipality and cease charging the guest for the remainder of their stay. This directly affects long-term hotel guests (staying 30+ days) and hotel operators who must adjust their billing practices. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 14, to implement this change, effective May 5, 2025.

HB 1428 amends Milan's city charter to extend the deadline for filling vacant alderman positions from 30 to 60 days after a vacancy is declared. It also authorizes the mayor to make temporary appointments to the city attorney or city judge roles during sickness, absence, or other temporary disability, pending board confirmation. These changes apply solely to Milan's local government structure and do not affect other cities or state-level policies. The bill focuses on procedural updates to the city charter rather than new policy initiatives.

HB 1419 creates a fifth division of Montgomery County's General Sessions and Juvenile Courts, directly affecting Montgomery County court operations. The bill establishes a new judge position for this division, initially appointed by the county legislative body until 2026, then elected every eight years starting in 2026. It updates the presiding judge rotation to include the new division and requires the county legislative body to approve the bill by a two-thirds vote before implementation. The new division will operate with the same court powers, jurisdiction, and funding requirements as existing divisions.

HB 1439 replaces Ridgeside's entire municipal charter, which had been amended multiple times since 1931, with a new charter document. It updates the city's corporate name, boundaries (correcting a reference to a church in the boundary description), and explicitly lists 13 core powers the city retains, such as taxing, borrowing, issuing bonds, and exercising eminent domain. The bill directly affects Ridgeside's local government structure and governance authority. As a procedural charter amendment (not a new policy), it does not change existing city services or create new obligations, but formalizes the city's legal framework under current state law. The bill was signed into law on June 4, 2025.

HB 1423 requires Lauderdale County to relocate its Probate and Juvenile Courts to the Justice Complex, including all staff, records, and operations. It dissolves these courts upon the current judge’s term ending, transferring probate matters to Chancery Court and juvenile matters to General Sessions Court. The bill mandates county legislative approval (a two-thirds vote) before taking effect. This directly affects Lauderdale County residents who use these courts and changes how local court services are administered. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 21, 2025.