Tennessee Bills

SB 629 changes Tennessee's hotel and motel occupancy tax law by extending the period municipalities can collect taxes from three to four years. This directly affects local governments that impose this tax on hotel/motel stays. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-4-107 and 67 to update the tax collection timeframe. The change became effective May 5, 2025, after the governor signed it. It is a procedural adjustment to the tax collection period with no impact on tax rates or revenue amounts.

SB 1005 simplifies adoption paperwork for families adopting multiple siblings who share at least one biological parent. It allows petitioners to file a single adoption petition for all children instead of separate ones, unless a court issues a written order requiring separate filings for the children's best interests. The bill also requires courts to charge only one filing fee for such combined petitions, reducing administrative costs for adoptive families. This change applies to Tennessee adoption proceedings under Titles 18, 36, and 37 of state code.

SB 1052 clarifies that a biological father who provides minimal financial support (such as infrequent or short-term payments) during pregnancy or while the mother had physical custody is not considered a legal father for adoption purposes, removing his right to contest an adoption. It also updates adoption procedures to allow declarations under Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure instead of affidavits and requires healthcare providers to obtain documented parental or guardian consent before vaccinating minors. The bill directly affects biological fathers in adoption cases, adoption courts, and healthcare providers treating children. These changes took effect on May 5, 2025.

SB 1034 amends Tennessee's heritage protection law to explicitly include city and county government seals depicting historic conflicts, events, figures, or organizations within the definition of a "memorial." This change ensures such seals receive the same legal protection as artwork and flags under state heritage preservation rules. The bill directly affects local governments that use these seals, requiring them to be treated as protected historical artifacts. Signed by the Governor on May 5, 2025, and effective immediately, it expands the scope of items covered by Tennessee's heritage protection statutes.

SB 1015 amends Tennessee law to update training requirements for foster care staff. It removes the 2010 deadline for training existing employees and requires all new foster care staff to complete training within 30 days of hire. The bill affects child welfare agencies and their employees working with foster children under the Department of Children's Services or contracted agencies. This change streamlines compliance with state training standards without altering foster children's rights or creating new policies for them. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 1116 requires adoption courts, health departments, and child-placing agencies to share adoption or attempted adoption records with Tennessee's Department of Children's Services within 60 days (up from 45 days) to help locate relatives for kinship foster care placements. This affects agencies handling adoption records and the Department of Children's Services, which uses the information to identify family members for foster care. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 68-3-312(g) and related provisions to extend the deadline for providing these records. It became effective May 5, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

SB 1282 revises Tennessee's food service regulations by removing fixed permit fees for restaurants, food trucks, and other food establishments, requiring the health commissioner to set fees through administrative rules instead. It updates inspection frequency (e.g., from monthly to quarterly for some facilities), clarifies definitions like the "Food Code," and deletes outdated provisions about rental properties and delivery vehicles. The bill affects food service businesses, camps, farmers markets, and child care centers that operate food services, requiring them to pay fees set by rule rather than statutory amounts. Key changes include revised inspection schedules, new fee-setting authority for the health commissioner, and removal of specific fee amounts from law.

SB 1202 allows bail bond companies (sureties) to ask courts to release them from financial responsibility if a defendant fails to appear in court (forfeiture). This directly affects bail bond providers and courts handling forfeiture cases. The bill requires courts to publish lists of forfeited bonds on their websites and takes effect July 1, 2025. It modifies Tennessee laws related to bail bonds to streamline the process for sureties seeking relief after a forfeiture. The change focuses on administrative clarity for courts and bond companies, without altering bail procedures for defendants.

SB 1143 amends Tennessee election law to extend the retention period for voter purge records from two to three years, requiring county election commissions to keep these records for three years after a purge. The bill also mandates that election officials receive training on temporary identification documents issued to non-U.S. citizens, clarifying that these documents cannot be used as valid ID for ballot applications. This change takes effect January 1, 2026, and modifies existing provisions in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 2. The bill focuses on administrative record-keeping and official training, not voter eligibility or new requirements.

SB 1239, the "End Childhood Hunger Act," changes the deadline for annual reporting related to child nutrition programs in Tennessee. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 37-2-411(a) to require state agencies to submit reports "By March 1 of each year" instead of "Each year." This adjustment provides a specific, earlier deadline for agencies administering child nutrition assistance programs. The bill directly affects state departments responsible for child welfare and food assistance programs, streamlining their reporting schedule to ensure timely program oversight. It became effective May 5, 2025.

SB 1114 amends Tennessee's public records law to permanently remove an automatic repeal scheduled for July 1, 2025, regarding a provision allowing government record custodians to seek court injunctions against individuals making public records requests with the intent to disrupt government operations. This change directly affects government officials responsible for handling public records, ensuring they retain the legal tool to address disruptive requesters. The bill deletes a specific subdivision (TCA 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(vi)) that would have expired, making the injunction provision permanent. The law took effect on May 5, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

SB 180 extends the effective period of certain Tennessee state agency rules. It ensures that permanent rules filed with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2024, which were scheduled to expire on June 30, 2025, remain in effect beyond that date. These rules stay active until changed by the agency, replaced by new rules, or superseded by new legislation. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for rulemaking and the public subject to these regulations. It became effective May 2, 2025, as part of public chapter 307.