Tennessee Bills

HB 1050 revises Tennessee's nuisance laws by reducing the required notice period for certain nuisance violations from five days to four days under specific provisions (Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 29-3-106(a)(1) and 29-3-106(c)). The bill directly affects local governments and property owners involved in nuisance enforcement actions, as it shortens the timeframe for issuing notices before legal action. Key provisions streamline administrative processes by cutting the notice period by one day, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter the definition of nuisances or introduce new enforcement mechanisms, focusing solely on procedural timing adjustments.

HB 691 changes how Tennessee financial institutions calculate tax credits for loans to housing entities. It shifts the calculation from a single "unpaid principal balance" to a "month-end average unpaid principal balance" over each loan's life. This affects financial institutions providing qualified loans for eligible housing activities, with credits now set at 3% annually for standard loans or 5% for low-rate loans. The change applies to the institution's fiscal year and ends after 15 years or the loan's maturity, whichever comes first. The bill took effect January 1, 2026.

HB 773 requires that websites publishing legal notices for public viewing (such as court filings or government announcements) cannot charge fees or require subscriptions for access. This applies directly to online platforms, including newspapers, that post such notices under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3, to add a specific requirement that these websites must be freely accessible to all residents. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring public access to legal notices without financial barriers.

HB 910 terminates Tennessee's Human Rights Commission effective July 1, 2025, and transfers its responsibilities for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, public accommodations, harassment, education, and the Civil Rights Act of 1990 to the Attorney General. The bill amends Tennessee Code to shift oversight of these areas from the commission to the Attorney General's office. This change affects individuals and entities subject to discrimination laws in Tennessee, as enforcement will now be handled by the state's legal office. The law became effective May 12, 2025, following Governor's signature.

HB 969 requires that all sales and use tax revenue from the sale, use, or distribution of new or used tires (effective July 1, 2025) must be allocated to Tennessee's highway fund, rather than other state funds. This directly affects how state transportation funding is distributed, ensuring tire-related tax revenue supports highway maintenance and infrastructure. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to implement this change and excludes certain existing tax allocations (like education-specific funds) from this requirement. It does not alter current tax rates but redirects a specific revenue stream to highway funding.

HB 783 authorizes Tennessee local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan areas) to regulate sober living homes - residences for adults recovering from substance abuse without formal treatment - to ensure they comply with federal fair housing and disability laws. Key provisions include requiring these homes to be at least 1,000 feet from schools/daycares, allowing local zoning rules, and mandating clinical referrals from licensed healthcare providers before residency. The law directly affects sober living home operators, residents, and local governments implementing these rules. It becomes effective immediately upon the governor’s signature (May 21, 2025), updating Tennessee housing codes to balance local oversight with federal civil rights protections.

HB 894 amends Tennessee law to change the term limits for members of the Ground Water Management Board. It increases the maximum number of consecutive full terms a member may serve from two to three. This change directly affects current and future board members by allowing them to serve longer without interruption. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 69-10-107(a)(2) and related provisions.

HB 371 requires individuals convicted of Class A or Class B misdemeanors in Tennessee to complete a behavioral training course as part of their sentencing. Offenders must pay for the course (capped at $100), provide proof of completion to the court within a court-specified timeframe, and face potential jail time (up to 10 days) for failing to comply. The course must be accessible online, offered in multiple languages, include human interaction, and be provided by certified vendors meeting specific standards. This law affects misdemeanor offenders directly and takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 212 creates new specialty license plate options for Tennessee drivers, including a "Historic Franklin" plate whose fees will fund Chester Inn State Historic Site. It extends existing specialty plate programs and authorizes motorcycle plates specifically for paratroopers. The bill also updates application processes to allow electronic, mail, or in-person submissions for all specialty plates. These changes directly affect drivers purchasing specialty plates and impact how funds from certain plate sales are allocated. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

HB 490 prevents the removal or disqualification of municipal judges who were lawfully elected or appointed before March 7, 2025, even if they later no longer meet residency requirements during their term. The bill protects these judges from being forced out of office due to residency changes that occur after their appointment, as long as they met all qualifications at the time of election. It amends multiple Tennessee code sections related to courts (Titles 8, 16-29) to ensure this protection applies to judges serving under existing laws. The law took effect on May 21, 2025, after being signed by the Governor. This policy change directly affects municipal judges in Tennessee who were appointed or elected prior to the specified date.

HB 1092 amends Tennessee law to move the deadline for state agencies to submit applications for federal financial assistance from February 1 to March 1 each year. This change directly affects Tennessee state agencies that apply for federal funds, giving them an additional month to prepare and submit their requests. The bill updates two sections of the Tennessee Code (9-4-5404 and 9-4-5406) to reflect this new deadline. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 21, 2025.

HB 1127 changes Tennessee's foreclosure process by extending the required notice period for land sales from 10 to 12 business days before a foreclosure sale. This affects homeowners facing foreclosure and lenders seeking to sell property to recover debts under deeds of trust, mortgages, or court orders. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 35-5-114(d) and takes effect on July 1, 2025.