SB 1754 removes court fees for individuals applying to restore citizenship rights or obtain a certificate of employability in Tennessee. It eliminates the requirement for petitioners to pay costs associated with these proceedings under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-29-103 and 40-29-107. The bill directly affects people seeking to regain citizenship rights after legal restrictions or those needing employment verification certificates. Key changes include deleting cost-related language in the statutes and specifying "no cost" for applicants. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 1682 requires data centers in Tennessee with more than 20 megawatts of power capacity to register with the Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC). Electric and water utilities serving these registered data centers must report their usage and service rates monthly to the TPUC starting January 1, 2027. The TPUC will compile and publish this data on its website, providing public transparency about energy and water consumption at large data centers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with penalties for non-compliance including daily fines up to $1,000 (capped at $25,000).
SB 1598, the "Freedom from Medical Debt Act," requires Tennessee's state treasurer to contract with a nonprofit to repay medical debt for eligible residents. It directly affects Tennessee residents with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or those owing medical debt equal to 5% or more of their annual income, provided the debt has been outstanding for over 120 days. The bill mandates that healthcare providers cannot report medical debt to consumer credit bureaus after July 1, 2026, and requires nonprofits to purchase debt at fair value while removing negative credit reporting upon repayment. The state treasurer is not liable for payments, and the nonprofit handles all financial obligations.
HB 1768 requires online sports betting companies to block access to their services on public university campuses in Tennessee, including residential areas and sports venues used for college athletic events. It also mandates that public universities block internet access to online sports betting through campus networks for students, faculty, and staff. The law applies to all public institutions of higher education that host sanctioned collegiate sports, covering both on-campus properties and nearby facilities used for athletic events. The restrictions would take effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 1990, the "Stop Rent Rigging Act," prohibits rental property owners and managers in Tennessee from using or facilitating algorithmic tools that coordinate pricing across multiple properties. The bill bans software or data services that collect rental data from two or more landlords (excluding affordable housing programs), analyze it, and recommend prices or lease terms to them. It also prohibits landlords from adjusting their own rents based on such recommendations. The law, effective July 1, 2026, targets coordinated pricing practices that reduce competition in the residential rental market.
HB 1533 (introduced by Rep. Marsh) changes a Tennessee law requiring law enforcement officers who seize intoxicating liquor to file a written report with the court clerk. The bill extends the deadline from five to ten days for submitting details including the type and amount of liquor seized, and the source if known. This amendment applies specifically to officers handling alcohol confiscations under Tennessee Code Titles 57 and 67. The change affects law enforcement procedures for documenting alcohol-related seizures but does not alter penalties or licensing rules.
HB 179 modifies Tennessee's criminal abortion law by adding exceptions that exempt certain abortions from criminal prosecution. It specifies that performing an abortion is not a crime if it is necessary to protect the pregnant person's physical or mental health, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (as defined in Tennessee law). The bill amends Title 39, Chapter 15 of Tennessee Code, reclassifying such abortions as non-criminal under these specific circumstances. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting licensed physicians performing abortions and pregnant individuals in these defined situations.
HJR 1037 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of Philippine-American Friendship Day, which honors the historical partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines following World War II. It specifically recognizes the shared sacrifices during the war, including Filipino military service and the valor of individuals like Magdalena E. Leones and Aaron Kliatchko. The resolution extends appreciation to Tennessee’s Filipino community (over 30,000 residents) for their cultural and economic contributions to the state. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create legal obligations but serves as a formal expression of commemoration.
HJR 1042 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) introduced by Representative Jones to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines diplomatic relationship, specifically marking July 4 as Philippine-American Friendship Day. It recognizes the historical partnership dating to the 1946 Treaty of Manila, highlights joint WWII efforts against Japan, and acknowledges the Filipino community in Tennessee (over 30,000 people) as a key contributor to the state's cultural and economic life. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it solely expresses ceremonial recognition of the U.S.-Philippines alliance and Tennessee's Filipino population.
HB 493 changes Tennessee's civil court process for guardianship and conservatorship cases by extending the deadline for holding a required hearing from 60 days to 90 days after the respondent is served or a guardian ad litem is appointed. This applies directly to individuals or families petitioning the court to appoint a guardian or conservator for someone who needs legal protection. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 34-1-108(a) to implement this 90-day timeline, which aims to provide more time for court preparation. The change affects all Tennessee courts handling such cases under the referenced code sections.
HB 961 is a procedural bill that corrects a committee reference in Tennessee law. It changes the statutory description from "civil justice committee of the house of representatives" to "committee of the house of representatives with jurisdiction over subject matters pertaining to the code commission" across multiple sections of the Tennessee Code. The bill does not alter any laws, policies, or directly affect citizens or businesses - it only updates where the committee is named in legal references. This is a technical correction to ensure accurate committee designation for the Tennessee Code Commission's style guidelines. No policy changes or substantive impacts result from this bill.
HB 1250 allows Tennessee public school districts and charter schools to hire or accept as volunteers school chaplains to provide support services for students, staff, and parents. The bill requires chaplains to undergo criminal background checks but does not mandate state certification. It grants legal immunity to chaplains acting within the law, except for malicious or intentional harm. The bill directly affects schools, chaplains, and school communities by creating a formal framework for religious support services in schools. The definition of "school chaplain" specifies a clergy member credentialed by a religious organization to support religious freedom in diverse school settings.
