Tennessee Bills

HB 577 increases the state-funded stipend that eligible counties receive for housing each convicted felon in county facilities. This change directly affects counties operating correctional facilities, providing them with additional state funding per inmate. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 38, 39, 40, and 41) to adjust the stipend amount. It was signed into law in May 2025 and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

HB 1435 amends Oakland's local government structure by changing when mayor and alderman terms begin (on the first business day after election month) and establishing five fixed aldermanic positions (1-5), with a potential sixth position if the town's population reaches 18,000+ per census. It creates staggered elections - positions 1-3 elected in 2026, positions 4-5 in 2028 - with terms lasting four years, and requires local legislative approval for any population-based expansion. The bill also specifies swearing-in procedures, sets compensation rules (unchangeable during terms), and ensures incumbents' terms remain unaffected. This directly affects Oakland residents who vote in local elections and the mayor/aldermen serving in the town's government.

HB 219 requires foreign individuals and entities purchasing agricultural land in Tennessee to submit the same report they file with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (under federal law) to the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture. This applies to those defined as "foreign persons" under the federal Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, including non-U.S. citizens, foreign-owned businesses, or entities with foreign control. Failure to file with the state triggers a potential penalty of up to 25% of the land's fair market value, collectible through state courts. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, and expires if the federal law it references is repealed.

HB 310 creates a legal presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed in law enforcement officers or emergency medical responders (like EMTs and paramedics) was incurred while performing job duties, making it automatically eligible for workers' compensation coverage. This applies to those diagnosed after responding to specific incidents, shifting the burden to employers to prove otherwise. The bill amends Tennessee workers' compensation laws (TCA Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 50, Chapter 6) to explicitly include these professions under the presumption, removing prior exclusions of "firefighter" language. It directly affects first responders who develop PTSD in the line of duty, streamlining their access to benefits starting July 1, 2025.

HB 1373 makes Tennessee’s school turnaround program permanent, replacing its temporary "pilot" status. It increases the maximum number of priority schools (those needing improvement) that can participate from 5 to 15 at any time while requiring geographic diversity in selection. Schools must develop annual turnaround plans, undergo yearly evaluations against state education goals, and report progress to lawmakers, with annual reports comparing outcomes for participating vs. non-participating schools. The law ensures schools exit the program after four years or once they meet state performance criteria.

HB 524 allows eligible veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to Montgomery County's veterans treatment court program under specific conditions. The bill affects veterans who meet the program's jurisdictional criteria (as if the crime occurred in Montgomery County), require a written waiver of their right to a jury trial in their home county, and have the Montgomery County District Attorney General agree to the transfer. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to permit this transfer process for contiguous counties with populations between 220,000-220,100 (based on 2020 census data), which Montgomery County satisfies. This creates a new procedural pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment courts instead of standard criminal proceedings. The bill became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor's approval.

HB 485 allows Tennessee public schools and charter schools to replace up to four days of required in-person instruction with hybrid learning during extreme weather, emergencies, or disasters approved by school leaders. It directly affects K-12 students and schools by requiring minimum daily instructional hours (4 hours for kindergarten, 6.5 hours for grades 1-12) during hybrid days and mandating systems to track attendance and ensure individualized education program (IEP) services continue. Schools must verify student participation, distinguish between excused and unexcused absences, and comply with all state/federal education laws while using this option. The law, effective July 1, 2025, does not change the total required 180-day school year but provides flexibility for school closures due to emergencies.

HB 782 creates a new pilot PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly) program in one Tennessee grand division without an existing PACE program as of 2024, while allowing current PACE providers in counties with a 2020 census population of 366,200-366,300 to expand into contiguous counties meeting specific population thresholds (12,700-12,800, 32,800-32,875, or 108,600-108,700). It requires applicants to submit service area maps, market analyses proving unmet need, and CMS compliance certifications, and mandates annual reports to legislative leaders. The bill directly affects elderly Tennesseans eligible for PACE care (meeting federal CMS criteria) and PACE providers seeking to expand services. It became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor approval.

HB 1321 reorganizes Tennessee's tourism department by creating a marketing division to promote tourism investments and attractions, and a new welcome centers division to manage all state welcome centers. It requires the Department of Tourism (formerly "Tourist Development") to coordinate with the Department of Transportation on welcome center maintenance and directs the commissioner of finance to redirect highway user taxes to fund welcome center operations. This bill directly affects state tourism operations, welcome center staffing and maintenance, and shifts funding sources from highway maintenance to tourism infrastructure. The changes take effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as confirmed by the bill's effective date of May 21, 2025.

HB 726 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for property assessors to determine if real property was destroyed or damaged by a qualified disaster. Specifically, it changes the required timeframe from 35 to 40 days after January 28, 2025, allowing property owners more time to qualify for direct payments from the state comptroller. This change directly affects property owners in areas impacted by disasters who seek state disaster relief payments. The bill became effective May 21, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

HB 487 increases court clerk fees for certain services in Tennessee, raising the fee from $100 to $125 for specific filings or actions. This change directly affects individuals and businesses that pay court clerk fees, such as those filing documents or requesting copies. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 8-21-401(b)(2)(B) to implement this fee adjustment. The new fee structure takes effect on January 1, 2026.

HB 717 creates the "Caring for Caregivers Act," establishing a pilot program that provides financial grants to family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. It directly affects caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible family members living in private homes (not facilities) and incur eligible expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, or respite care. The program offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver, with eligibility based on household income not exceeding $37,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) and requiring the care recipient to need assistance with at least two activities of daily living. The pilot runs from July 2025 through December 2028, funded through initial appropriations and dedicated state funds.