SB 2669 increases the personal and professional leave accumulation rate for Tennessee teachers, principals, and school personnel from one day per half-year to two days per half-year. It directly affects all public school staff covered under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Section 49-5-711(a). The bill amends the leave calculation method in state law, requiring local school boards to allow two days of leave for each half-year of employment (previously one day). The change will take effect July 1, 2026, and also updates Section 49-5-205(a) to align with the new four-day annual leave standard.
HB 2369 increases the monthly supervision fee for defendants under court supervision from $10 to $15. It also requires municipalities to pay autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state covers them. Additionally, the bill reclassifies illegal possession of communication devices in prisons as a Class E felony (previously a fine-only offense). These changes directly affect defendants paying fees, municipalities managing autopsy costs, and inmates facing new felony charges for prison device violations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2388 changes three key aspects of Tennessee's criminal justice system. It raises the monthly fee defendants must pay toward supervision costs from $10 to $15 (affecting individuals under community supervision). It also changes penalties for illegally possessing a telecommunication device in prison, making it a full Class E felony (not limited to fines). Finally, it requires municipalities to cover autopsy costs requested by local law enforcement, unless the state pays instead (directly affecting local government budgets). These changes take effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2442 extends the deadline for Tennessee municipalities to hold public hearings on petitions for central business improvement districts, changing the timeframe from 45 to 60 days. This affects local governments that receive valid petitions to establish these districts, which fund area-specific services like cleaning or marketing. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 7-84-513 to implement this change, with no other policy provisions.
HB 2246 regulates stem cell therapies in Tennessee by requiring physicians performing such treatments (for orthopedics, wound care, or pain management) to source stem cells only from facilities registered with the FDA and accredited by specific organizations like the National Marrow Donor Program. The bill mandates that facilities provide detailed accreditation documentation to physicians and include a post-thaw viability report for each cell batch. Physicians must also disclose in all advertisements that the therapy is not FDA-approved and encourage patients to consult their primary care provider. The law explicitly excludes stem cell therapies derived from fetal or embryonic sources.
SB 2157 prohibits local governments in Tennessee from blocking access to or within designated tourism development zones, except during emergencies for first responder access or for contracted large events. It directly affects cities, counties, and tourism zones by requiring unimpeded vehicle and pedestrian access, preventing disruptions to business deliveries (including food and goods), and allowing ride-sharing services to operate normally. The law amends Tennessee statutes to ensure tourism businesses can function without local government interference, with exceptions only for verified emergencies or events under formal agreements. This bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
HB 2251 creates a pilot program for criminal magistrates in Tennessee's 10 counties with the highest criminal court caseloads, as identified by the comptroller's annual study. Counties must pass an ordinance to establish the position, after which local judges appoint magistrates to handle specific duties like arraignments, initial hearings, bond setting, plea acceptances for minor offenses, and warrant issuance. Magistrates serve four-year terms at the judges' pleasure and are compensated from county funds, with removal possible by majority vote of the judges. This bill directly affects criminal court operations in those 10 counties by adding a new role to manage caseloads, without altering the structure of county courts.
SB 2458 regulates delivery network companies (DNCs) like food or package delivery apps operating in Tennessee. It requires DNCs to provide customers with clear pricing and delivery details before service, display driver identification and vehicle info via their app, and send electronic receipts. The bill mandates comprehensive background checks (criminal and sex offender registry) for drivers, sets minimum insurance requirements ($100,000 coverage when actively delivering), and prohibits DNCs from using for-hire vehicle regulations. It directly affects DNCs, their drivers, and customers by standardizing safety, transparency, and insurance practices. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 2314 changes the deadline for county boards to notify applicants about adult-oriented establishment license applications from 10 calendar days to 10 business days after receiving investigation results. This adjustment excludes weekends and public holidays, making the timeline more practical for business operations. The bill directly affects applicants seeking licenses for adult-oriented establishments and the county boards that process these applications. It is a procedural change that modifies notification timing without altering licensing criteria or standards.
SB 2659 requires Tennessee's Public Utility Commission to include a separate annual report on compliance with existing laws regulating phone and text solicitations to residential subscribers. This report must be submitted to the chairs of the House Commerce committee and Senate Commerce and Labor committee each year. The bill does not change the underlying rules for solicitors but mandates an annual review of how well current regulations are being followed. It directly affects the Public Utility Commission's reporting obligations and provides legislative committees with regular compliance data.
SB 2190, the "Tennessee Reverse Mortgage Innovation Act," updates Tennessee's reverse mortgage rules to modernize consumer protections and expand options for seniors. It allows counselors approved by the Department of Financial Institutions - not just Fannie Mae or HUD guidelines - to satisfy the mandatory counseling requirement before closing a reverse mortgage loan. The bill removes all references to Fannie Mae and HUD, clarifies that reverse mortgages are non-recourse loans (lenders can only claim the home's value), and prohibits cross-selling insurance or financial products as a loan condition. This directly affects senior homeowners seeking reverse mortgages and lenders offering these loans by streamlining compliance and aligning with national best practices.
SB 2199, the "Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026," requires Tennessee state agencies to create and publish fiscal impact statements for new or amended rules that could negatively affect businesses, industries, or trade associations. Agencies must notify affected groups 45 days before public hearings, include their feedback in the fiscal statement (based on actual compliance costs, not speculation), and submit annual reports detailing all such statements by January 31 each year. If a rule's fiscal impact exceeds $750,000 over five years (or one year for emergency rules), the agency must notify the governor and legislative leaders. This bill directly affects state agencies drafting regulations and the businesses or industries subject to those rules.
