Tennessee Bills

SB 1670 updates Tennessee state law to recognize the U.S. Space Force as a distinct military branch by adding it to existing definitions across multiple statutes. The bill amends 15 sections of the Tennessee Code - including provisions related to military personnel, veterans' benefits, and uniformed service - to explicitly include "space force" alongside other branches like the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This change ensures state agencies and programs (such as those handling military leave, vehicle registration for service members, and benefits eligibility) now formally encompass Space Force personnel. The bill does not alter rights or create new programs but aligns Tennessee's legal references with the federal establishment of the Space Force as a separate military branch.

HB 1760 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for scheduling building inspections of footers in single-family or two-family homes from one to two working days after a request is made. This change directly affects homeowners, contractors, and building inspectors who handle residential construction projects. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 68-120-101(f)(1)(C) to reflect this two-working-day timeline. The policy change aims to provide more flexibility in scheduling inspections without altering inspection standards or requirements. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.

SB 2133 amends Tennessee law to make intentionally starving livestock to death a Class E felony when done in a "depraved and sadistic manner" without justification. It directly affects livestock owners and caretakers who engage in such cruelty. The key provision expands the definition of "aggravated cruelty to a livestock animal" to specifically include starvation resulting in death, alongside other severe acts. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to cases meeting the specified cruel intent.

SB 1523 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to June 30, 2028. This board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates in state correctional facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10) to update the board's sunset date. The extension ensures continued oversight of inmate discipline processes without altering the board's existing responsibilities.

HB 1986 requires the Tennessee Department of Correction to notify the police chief of the city (and the county law enforcement chief) whenever an inmate is granted a furlough. This directly affects the Department of Correction, which must send these notifications, and local police departments in the inmate's residence area. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 41-21-227(e), to add this notification requirement as a standard part of the furlough process. It does not change the conditions for granting furloughs, only the communication protocol with local law enforcement.

SB 1871 authorizes the commissioner of general services to appoint directors and staff of law enforcement training academies under their supervision as law enforcement officers, requiring compliance with existing officer standards. It also permits the Department of General Services to operate sales facilities at these academies, selling items like food, equipment, and promotional goods to fund academy operations. All fees collected from these sales must be deposited into a dedicated fund exclusively for academy maintenance, administration, and enhancements. The bill updates state law to establish these new revenue mechanisms and appointment authorities for training academies.

HB 1875 prevents homeowners' associations (HOAs) and condominium associations from banning lot or unit owners from installing personal electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on their own property, including designated parking spots. The bill allows associations to set reasonable limits on station size, placement, and installation method but prohibits them from blocking installations in owners' designated parking areas. Homeowners installing EV chargers must cover liability costs and maintain insurance, with associations required to be named as insureds. This directly affects homeowners seeking EV infrastructure and HOAs managing community rules, effective July 2026.

SB 2083 amends Tennessee law to increase the maximum number of nonrelated people allowed in homes for the aged. It changes the definition so that tier 1 homes (for the aged) can now accommodate up to five people (previously three), and tier 2 homes can now house up to six people (previously four). This directly affects licensed residential care facilities providing long-term care for elderly individuals. The bill modifies the specific numerical thresholds in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 11, without altering other facility requirements or funding.

SB 1551 extends the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education's operational period until June 30, 2030, by removing its previous expiration date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to career education (Title 4, Chapter 29) and the council's statutory authority (Title 49, Chapter 11). This procedural change ensures the council continues operating without needing new legislation before 2030, directly affecting its oversight of career and technical education programs statewide.

SB 1590 designates specific river segments - including the entire Buffalo River and most of the Duck River - as protected Class II pastoral river areas, while adding four new waterways (Beaverdam Creek, Lick Creek, Piney River, and Swan Creek) to this protected status. It removes previous county exclusions for the Buffalo River and modifies the Duck River segment to exclude only the Normandy Reservoir area managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The bill also updates public outreach requirements by changing references from "Duck River" to "any river" in state law. These changes directly affect communities and landowners along the designated waterways, particularly in Hickman, Williamson, and Dickson counties.

SB 1495 amends Tennessee law to add Alvogen, Inc., Apotex Corp., and Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. to the list of companies the attorney general may release from pending or future opioid-related claims. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 20-13-203 and 33-11-103(p) to replace "Purdue Pharma L.P." with a combined list including those three new companies. This change directly affects these pharmaceutical companies by expanding the pool eligible for potential release from opioid litigation claims. The policy change modifies the legal criteria for when the state attorney general can release companies from liability in opioid cases.

SB 1492 requires Tennessee's Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study all state crime stoppers programs. The study must examine data collection, funding stability, community partnerships, and law enforcement collaboration across all programs. TACIR will then recommend improvements, including better statewide coordination, increased public engagement, stronger community-law enforcement trust, and consistent program standards. The bill does not change existing laws but mandates a report to legislative committees by 2026, aiming to enhance program effectiveness.