Tennessee Bills

SB 871 directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study and report on Tennessee's healthcare continuum of care, including comparing it to other states' systems and recommending improvements. TACIR must complete this study using existing resources, with assistance from relevant state agencies, and submit the report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. This bill does not create new policies but requires a factual analysis to inform future healthcare decisions.

SB 703 requires Tennessee's TACIR (Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) to study sustainable transportation funding sources to address declining gas tax revenue from fuel-efficient vehicles and rising infrastructure costs. The study must examine the state's road and bridge needs, identify long-term revenue options beyond current gas taxes, and analyze funding models from at least three other states. TACIR must submit its recommendations, including potential legislation, to key legislative committees by January 15, 2026, using existing resources. This bill directly affects TACIR and state agencies responsible for transportation funding, aiming to inform future policy decisions.

SB 843 (enacted as Public Chapter 441) changes how Tennessee distributes revenue from real estate transfer taxes. It requires the state to return 50% of these taxes - collected by counties when property transfers occur - to the specific county where the tax was paid, starting July 1, 2025. This directly affects all Tennessee counties, providing them with additional local funding for services and infrastructure. The key provision amends Tennessee Code Annotated §67-4-409(d) to mandate this revenue sharing, shifting funds currently sent entirely to the state treasury back to local governments.

SB 769 changes Tennessee law to treat unauthorized possession of a used, detached catalytic converter as a felony instead of a minor misdemeanor. It makes this offense punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals or businesses that possess catalytic converters without authorization, such as scrap recyclers or those who may have stolen them. This policy update strengthens penalties to deter catalytic converter theft, which is a growing problem across the state.

SB 881 removes limits on penalties for pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) that fail to pay pharmacies promptly under Tennessee law. It requires PBMs to pay "clean claims" (complete, error-free claims) within 30 days for paper submissions and 14 days for electronic submissions, with interest accruing for late payments. The bill establishes tiered penalties: failing to pay 95% of clean claims triggers up to $10,000 in fines, 85% triggers $10,000-$100,000, and 60% triggers $100,000-$200,000. This directly affects PBMs (like those managing prescription drug benefits) and pharmacies that rely on timely payments from them.

SB 1138 prevents cities and utility districts from stopping sewer services outside their city limits if they've operated those systems for 25+ years, provided the systems maintain sufficient capacity (verified by a TACIR study). It directly affects municipalities and utility districts with long-standing sewer operations beyond their corporate boundaries, as well as property owners relying on these services. The key provision requires these entities to continue operations so long as capacity meets current needs, rather than allowing them to discontinue services. This law amends Tennessee statutes to ensure ongoing wastewater service in unincorporated areas where systems have been in place for decades.

SB 932 creates a study committee to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a "distance to drive" program for individuals with suspended or revoked driver licenses due to DUI offenses. The program would allow license reinstatement if participants meet court-mandated objectives and complete all requirements set by the Department of Safety. This bill does not create the program itself but establishes a committee to study its potential implementation, directly affecting people convicted of DUI with license suspensions. The committee’s findings would inform future legislative decisions about the program, with no immediate policy changes enacted by this bill.

SB 1346, the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," creates a civil legal remedy for individuals whose intimate digital images or videos (including deepfakes) are shared without consent. It directly affects people who have had non-consensual intimate depictions - such as images showing genitals, sexual fluids, or explicit acts - disclosed online or otherwise. The law allows victims to sue for $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual damages, or punitive damages, and seek court orders to stop further disclosure. It defines key terms like "deepfakes" and clarifies that consent for creating the image does not cover its sharing, while allowing exceptions for law enforcement or good-faith disclosures. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

SB 950 creates a task force within Tennessee’s education system to prepare for potential federal deregulation of K-12 education laws, regulations, and guidance. The task force will analyze how changes in federal requirements might impact Tennessee schools and develop state-level responses. This bill directly affects Tennessee’s K-12 public education system and state education officials responsible for compliance. It amends a specific deadline in state law (changing the annual reporting date from July 10 to July 20) but does not alter federal policies or directly change school operations. The task force’s work is preparatory, focusing on readiness rather than immediate policy shifts.

SB 207 creates a new "farmland preservation fund" within Tennessee's state budget to support the long-term protection of agricultural and forested land. The fund provides grants to help farmers and foresters place permanent conservation easements on their property - legal agreements that prevent development while allowing farming or forestry activities. These grants can be awarded directly to landowners or to qualified nonprofit organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups) that hold the easements, with requirements including proof of the easement agreement and ongoing agricultural use. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture will manage the fund, and unspent money will carry forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget.

SB 925 extends Tennessee's sales and use tax exemption for broadband equipment and infrastructure from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects businesses that provide broadband services or internet access by allowing them to continue purchasing and leasing qualifying equipment without paying state sales tax. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-6-391 to update the exemption's end date and revises the section's title to "Tennessee broadband equipment and services exemption." The law took effect on May 9, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

SB 931 amends Tennessee law by changing a deadline in food labeling regulations from July 1 to July 15 for certain provisions. The bill specifically modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 53-1-204(a)(2)(C), affecting how food products are regulated under state law. It does not prohibit labeling cell-cultured foods as "meat" (as the title suggests), but only adjusts a compliance date. The bill became effective on May 9, 2025, with the new deadline taking effect July 1, 2025.