Tennessee Bills

HB 2574 amends Tennessee law to clarify the driver's license revocation period for individuals convicted of DUI-related offenses involving an implied consent violation (such as refusing a breath test). It specifically sets a 1-year and 6-month revocation period for drivers without prior DUI convictions under Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-407(a)(1). The bill directly affects drivers who face license suspension due to DUI offenses, particularly those without prior convictions. This change clarifies the existing penalty duration without introducing new penalties or altering other aspects of DUI sentencing.

SB 2248 requires the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and its director to provide written reports to the governor or the governor's designee during emergency conditions, in addition to any existing reporting methods. This directly affects TEMA and its director by mandating documented communication with the governor during crises. The bill amends Tennessee law to clarify that written reports must be submitted alongside other communication channels, ensuring all emergency updates are formally recorded. The change focuses on improving clarity and accountability in emergency management communications without altering substantive emergency response procedures.

HB 2552 requires Tennessee local governments (municipalities, counties, or metropolitan counties) to review development applications, plans, or site inspections within 30 business days. If they identify issues, they must provide a single consolidated report of deficiencies within that timeframe, with a maximum of two such reports allowed before denial. The bill also mandates written contract changes with developers/contractors and requires local governments to release bonds within 30 days after an independent inspector confirms project completion. These provisions directly affect developers, contractors, and local government agencies by streamlining approval processes and reducing delays.

SB 2640 amends Tennessee law to increase the mandatory license suspension period for first-time drivers convicted of DUI who refuse a chemical test (implied consent violation) from one year to one year and six months. This change directly affects individuals facing license revocation under these specific circumstances, as defined by the revised Section 55-10-407. The bill modifies the penalty structure without altering the underlying offense or adding new requirements.

HB 2223 changes Tennessee's fireworks permit deadline from 10 calendar days to 10 business days for public displays. It directly affects individuals or organizations applying for permits to host public fireworks events. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Section 68-104-211(a)(3), to require written applications to be submitted 10 business days before a display, rather than 10 calendar days. This adjustment shortens the required lead time for permit applications. The change applies specifically to written permit applications for public fireworks displays.

SB 2504 amends Tennessee law to require the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to submit specific recommendations to the General Assembly about disaster preparedness, prevention, and mitigation strategies. These recommendations must address both eliminating emergencies or reducing their impact and improving disaster response. The bill directly affects TEMA, which must now provide these recommendations, and the General Assembly, which will review them. This changes TEMA’s existing duties under Tennessee Code Annotated, Sections 58-2-106(b) and related provisions.

HB 2518 requires Tennessee's Department of General Services and Department of Environment and Conservation to submit annual reports on state recycling efforts to the General Assembly by December 31 each year. The bill amends specific sections of state law (TCA Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 68) to establish this reporting requirement. These reports will detail actions taken under existing recycling programs, providing transparency on state agency recycling activities. The bill does not change recycling practices or set new recycling targets, but mandates regular reporting to lawmakers.

SB 2450 allows Tennessee local governments (like cities and counties) to publish certain public notices online instead of in newspapers, starting July 1, 2027. Local governments must first adopt a policy and pass an ordinance detailing how electronic notices will be posted, ensuring they are free, accessible to all, and meet security and retention standards. The bill requires electronic notices to be available across common platforms without barriers, while maintaining newspaper publication for notices specifically mandated by law to be printed. Third-party websites hosting these notices may charge a reasonable fee for the service.

HB 2140 creates a registry within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of specific retail theft crimes, including those using masks, fake license plates, or anti-theft devices to commit offenses. The registry will include personal details like name, date of birth, conviction date, and offense type, maintained by TBI for law enforcement access only. It automatically removes names after 10 years from the most recent conviction unless a court orders expungement or death is verified. This applies to convictions under Tennessee Code Sections 39-14-113 (organized retail theft) and 39-14-146 (related offenses).

HB 2413, the "Tennessee Child Care Red Tape Reduction Act," streamlines licensing for child care agencies by requiring local governments to process permit applications within 5 business days (matching affordable housing priority) and issue final decisions within 90 days. It grants exclusive authority to the state fire marshal - not local fire departments - to conduct fire safety inspections for licensing, establishes uniform statewide safety standards, and prohibits duplicative local inspections. The bill also allows child care agencies to operate as "use by right" in most commercial zones (including residential for home-based care) with limited, non-discriminatory conditions. These changes directly affect child care providers, local permitting offices, and state fire safety enforcement, aiming to reduce regulatory barriers while maintaining safety.

HB 2114 allows Tennessee local governments (like cities and counties) to publish certain public notices online instead of in print newspapers, starting July 1, 2027. Local governments must first adopt a written policy and pass an ordinance detailing how electronic notices will be posted, ensuring free public access, security, and accessibility for all users. The policy must specify retention periods, standardized notice formats, and legally compliant posting rules, while requiring third-party websites to charge only reasonable fees for hosting. Notices still required by law to appear in print newspapers must continue to be published that way.

HB 2341 prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 at private parties or events in Tennessee. It requires event owners or operators to provide proof they took reasonable steps to prevent underage service when requesting event approval. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 57-4-101 to establish this age restriction and documentation requirement. This directly affects private event hosts, venues, and organizers who serve alcohol at gatherings. The law aims to enforce minimum drinking age rules at unlicensed private events.