Tennessee Bills

SB 639 increases the advance notice period for meetings of Tennessee's Board of Water Quality, Oil, and Gas from five to seven days. This change applies directly to board members, requiring organizers to notify them seven days in advance of all regular or special meetings. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Titles 7, 63, 65, 68, and 69) to implement this updated notice requirement. The policy change is procedural, focusing solely on meeting scheduling transparency without altering substantive water or resource regulations.

HB 659 allows county election commissions in Tennessee to designate specific restroom facilities within election buildings for campaign workers and volunteers. It requires campaign personnel to cover or remove visible campaign materials before using these restrooms and prohibits them from entering polling places or soliciting votes within the designated area. The bill explicitly states that violating these rules could result in penalties under existing election laws. This provision directly affects campaign staff working at polling locations during elections, with the policy taking effect July 1, 2025.

HB 794 changes the deadline for boards of public utilities appointed under Tennessee's Municipal Electric Plan Law of 1935 to elect a chair. It increases the timeframe from 10 calendar days to 10 business days after members are appointed. This bill directly affects municipal utility boards across Tennessee that operate under the specified state laws. The change simplifies scheduling by excluding weekends and holidays from the deadline calculation, making the process more practical for board members. (No substantive policy changes to utility services or rates are made.)

SB 879 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to annually identify federal waivers needed to overcome regulatory barriers affecting food assistance program processing. The department must submit waiver applications by October 31 each year and provide a December 31 report detailing these applications, their status, and recommendations for statutory changes to improve efficiency. This bill directly affects the state's food assistance program operations and the department's reporting obligations to legislative committees. It modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Chapter 5, Part 3, to establish these annual requirements without altering benefit eligibility or funding levels.

SB 855 changes a procedural deadline for municipal utility boards in Tennessee. It increases the time allowed for newly appointed board members to elect a chair from 10 calendar days to 10 business days. The bill specifically amends Section 7-52-110(b) of Tennessee Code to reflect this change, affecting boards appointed under the Municipal Electric Plan Law of 1935. This is a purely procedural adjustment with no direct impact on utility rates, services, or the public.

HB 753 establishes new rules for taxing multi-unit rental properties (4+ units) that receive federal, state, or local incentives tied to low-income renter restrictions. It requires property assessors to value these properties using specific methods, including adjusting market value based on rent ratios and excluding tax credits, while applying a capitalization rate 50-150 basis points above standard rates. Owners must notify assessors about restrictions by December 31 each year, or face tax penalties. The law takes effect for tax year 2026 and applies to properties developed on or after that date.

HB 1369 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to mandate blood lead level testing for all students before attending public schools serving pre-K through 12th grade, and for pregnant women receiving WIC vouchers. It also mandates comprehensive support services - including specialized nutritional guidance, education, and wraparound care - for individuals identified with elevated lead levels or lead poisoning. Juvenile detention facilities receiving federal funding must collaborate with health and education agencies to provide these services for detained youth with lead exposure. The bill includes an opt-out option for parents regarding school testing but applies to all eligible schools and facilities. This legislation directly affects students, pregnant women in WIC programs, and youth in detention.

HB 1259 increases the required advance notice period for meetings of the Tennessee Board of Water Quality, Oil, and Gas from five to seven days. This change applies to all regular and special meetings, requiring the board members to be notified at least seven days in advance instead of the current five days. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 7, 63, 65, 68, and 69) to update this procedural requirement. The change is purely administrative and does not affect the board’s substantive duties or decision-making processes.

HB 684 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to annually identify federal waivers needed to overcome rules slowing food assistance processing, submit these waiver requests by October 31 each year, and report on their status by December 31. The bill directly affects the state agency managing food assistance and the people applying for benefits by streamlining how federal barriers are addressed. Key provisions include mandatory annual waiver applications to the federal government and detailed annual reports to legislative committees on waiver progress and recommendations for state law changes. This creates a structured process for the department to address regulatory hurdles in delivering food assistance benefits more efficiently.

SB 539 establishes new rules for taxing multi-unit rental properties (four or more units) that receive federal, state, or local incentives tied to low-income housing restrictions, such as tax credits or rent subsidies. Property owners must notify local assessors by December 31 each year if their property has such restrictions, and assessors must value these properties using specific methods - including adjusting for rent differences between restricted and non-restricted units and excluding tax credits from valuation. The bill requires a higher capitalization rate (50-150 basis points above the national average) for these properties to reflect their reduced market value, with rules taking effect for tax year 2026. This directly affects owners of qualifying rental housing and property assessors statewide.

HB 1346 would allow individuals with a prior DUI conviction (under §55-10-401) to petition for expungement of eligible criminal offenses after waiting at least 10 years from their conviction date. To qualify, petitioners must have fully paid all fines/restitution, completed probation or imprisonment, and not have prior expungements or multiple DUI convictions. The bill amends Tennessee's expungement law to create this specific pathway, effective July 1, 2025, if passed. It applies only to offenses eligible under existing expungement rules (§40-32-101(g)(1)) and limits petitions to one per person. The bill is currently under review by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

SB 232 allows Tennessee county election commissions to designate specific restrooms in election buildings for campaign workers and volunteers working outside polling places. It requires campaign staff to cover or remove campaign materials before using these restrooms and prohibits them from entering polling areas or soliciting votes within the designated boundary. Violations could result in penalties under existing election law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects campaign staff during elections.