Tennessee Bills

HB 570 directs the Tennessee State Capitol Commission to be responsible for maintaining the "monument to unborn children" using funds already allocated to the commission. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law to assign this maintenance duty, which directly affects the Capitol Commission's responsibilities. The key provision requires the Commission to cover upkeep and repairs of the monument through existing appropriations, without creating new funding. The bill does not change the monument's purpose or create new policy, but formally assigns maintenance duties to the Commission.

SJR 684 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing the Tennessee General Assembly's opposition to The Boring Company's proposed "Music City Loop" tunnel project between downtown Nashville and the airport. It criticizes the company for insufficient community engagement, lack of transparency, and labor/safety concerns, noting the project doesn't qualify as "mass transit" under state law (as it's for airport travelers, not public use). The resolution affirms that public infrastructure decisions must prioritize Nashville residents' needs, referencing the city's approved Choose How You Move transportation plan. It failed in the Senate Transportation Committee on March 4, 2026.

HB 2088 allows nurses providing home health services to four or fewer patients to qualify for home care organization licensure without needing to hire staff or maintain an office. Instead, these nurses must request secure, department-approved space from the Tennessee Department of Health to store patient records. The bill specifically applies to licensed registered nurses, practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants working with limited patients. It amends Tennessee law (Titles 63 and 68) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2288 would allow Tennessee to impose tolls on specific border highways (part of the state or national defense highway system) when new vehicle lanes are added or HOV lanes are converted to user-fee lanes after July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers using these border crossings, as tolls could apply to those facilities meeting the new conditions. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly include "toll" in fee definitions and creates the conditions for tolling at border crossings with infrastructure changes. The bill failed in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on March 4, 2026, and did not become law.

HB 2464 prohibits Tennessee electric utilities and high-performance computing (HPC) facilities from using transformers, parts, or equipment manufactured or sold by entities owned or controlled by "foreign adversaries" (as defined by federal regulations). The bill requires these entities to annually report equipment sources to the state comptroller, conduct internal compliance audits, and submit findings by March 1 each year. The comptroller must post all reports and audit results publicly by October 1. Violations trigger 30-day compliance notices, potential license suspension by local governments, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation.

SB 2512, the "Universal Pre-K Funding Act," would require all Tennessee school districts to provide free, full-day pre-kindergarten programs for every eligible 4-year-old child living within the district. It mandates specific quality standards, including maximum class sizes of 20 students, certified early childhood teachers, and a curriculum covering literacy, math, and social development. The bill proposes funding this universal program through a tax on digital advertising, replacing the previous voluntary, federally-dependent model. It directly affects all school districts and children aged 4 residing in Tennessee communities, aiming to expand access to high-quality early education.

HB 1919 would allow Tennessee state employees to take up to 48 hours annually for school-related activities of their dependents, such as parent-teacher conferences, sports events, or performances. Employees could choose between paid leave (using vacation or other accrued time) or unpaid leave, with a requirement to provide at least 10 days' advance written notice unless the event was unforeseeable. Employers must post the policy in the workplace and face $100 daily fines for failing to do so, while the Department of Labor enforces compliance. The bill specifically covers parents or legal guardians, including extended family members like aunts, uncles, or grandparents.

HB 2037, the "Tennessee Just Compensation for Property Owners Act," would require Tennessee airport authorities to pay enhanced compensation when taking private property through eminent domain. The bill mandates 150% of the property's appraised value (based on two independent appraisals), plus reimbursement for relocation costs, business loss, and increased loan interest rates due to the taking. It specifically applies to airport authorities leasing property for private use, ensuring property owners receive more comprehensive compensation than current law provides. The bill also requires airport authorities to cover all costs for appraisals and relocation estimates.

HB 1716 changes how Tennessee taxes residential property by setting the tax value at the higher of the most recent sale price or a financial institution's appraisal during refinancing (effective after December 2020). It also protects homeowners who have lived in their primary residence as a U.S. citizen for 10+ years by prohibiting tax sales to satisfy property tax debt, requiring proof of residency and citizenship. Once eligibility is confirmed, interest stops accruing on the debt, which becomes due only upon property transfer. This applies to homes used as primary residences, directly affecting long-term residential property owners. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 26-2-301 and 67-5-2501.

HB 1461 requires operators of high-performance computing (HPC) facilities in Tennessee - defined as facilities using over 50 megawatts monthly - to dedicate at least 50% of their computing power to public benefits like education, environmental projects, or community services. It mandates annual reports on energy use, carbon emissions, and how public benefits were achieved, plus internal compliance audits. Noncompliance could lead to license suspension until corrected. The bill directly affects HPC facility operators, including data centers and AI-focused facilities, but excludes government-owned operations.

SB 2626 would have prohibited individuals convicted of a felony from running for public office in Tennessee, regardless of whether they received a presidential pardon. It also would have barred public employees convicted of felonies from receiving retirement benefits from any Tennessee public pension system. The bill amended multiple Tennessee Code sections to remove existing exceptions for "malfeasance in office" and establish these disqualifications for all felony convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2026. However, the bill was withdrawn on March 3, 2026, and never became law.

SB 2261 requires nonprofit organizations in Tennessee that receive state or federal grants to publicly post all employee salaries on their website. This applies specifically to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in the state. The bill mandates that salary information be compiled, maintained, and updated every six months in a publicly accessible location. Nonprofits failing to comply could face lawsuits, with courts ordering corrective action and awarding legal costs to successful plaintiffs.