Tennessee Bills

HB 2408 requires Tennessee's Public Utility Commission to include an annual report on telemarketing compliance in its regular report to state legislators. This report specifically tracks whether companies follow state rules about making unsolicited phone or text calls to home phone users. The bill directs this additional report to be sent to the chairs of two key legislative committees: the House Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. It does not change existing telemarketing laws but adds a new reporting requirement for the commission. The bill is currently pending review in the Senate Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.

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.

HB 2317, the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act," creates a new criminal offense for adults who groom minors (under 18) or mentally compromised individuals (e.g., those with autism, intellectual disabilities, or severe mental health conditions) for sexual exploitation. It defines "grooming" as using electronic or in-person communication to build trust or control with the intent to facilitate sexual contact, simulated sexual contact, or exploitation. Penalties range from a Class E felony (standard) to a Class A felony (if victim is under 13) or higher, depending on victim age, prior offenses, or the offender’s position of trust. The bill supplements existing child protection laws and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

HB 2258 extends the deadline for local governments to hold public hearings on petitions to create business improvement districts, changing the timeframe from 45 to 60 days. This directly affects municipal governing bodies in Tennessee that receive valid petitions for central business improvement districts. The bill amends Tennessee Code (Title 5 and Title 7, Chapter 84, Part 5) to provide more time for public input before decisions are made. The change aims to allow greater community engagement without altering the district's operational requirements.

HB 2156 requires Tennessee's Department of Revenue to study whether making excise tax credits transferable to third parties (beyond the original recipient) would impact the state's economy. The study must assess potential economic effects, with findings due to tax committees by December 15, 2026. This bill does not change current tax law but mandates a review of a potential policy shift affecting businesses that claim excise tax credits.

HB 2186 allows counties with metropolitan government (like Nashville-Davidson County) to either charge a lower sales tax rate on food and food ingredients than other goods or fully exempt such sales from local sales tax. Counties must adopt this through a resolution and provide a certified copy to the state revenue department, with the change taking effect only starting October 1, 2026. This bill directly affects metropolitan counties by giving them flexibility in local food sales taxation, while deleting outdated provisions about metropolitan council membership reductions. The policy change is limited to food sales tax treatment and does not alter general sales tax rates for other items.

HB 2175 establishes regulations for delivery network companies (DNCs) like food or package delivery apps operating in Tennessee. It requires DNCs to conduct background checks on drivers, maintain specific insurance coverage (including minimum $100,000 liability while driving), provide customers with transparent pricing and driver details, and keep trip records for one year. The law directly affects DNCs, their drivers (who must use personal vehicles, not for-hire vehicles), and customers using these services. Key provisions take effect July 1, 2026, and exempt delivery services over 50 miles or involving for-hire vehicles.

HB 2108 extends the deadline for litigation financiers to update their registration with Tennessee's secretary of state from 30 to 35 days when their information changes or becomes inaccurate. This bill directly affects businesses that provide funding for lawsuits, requiring them to amend registrations more quickly if they operate in Tennessee. The change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, Section 47-16-103(c), specifically adjusting the timeframe for registration updates. The bill does not alter the requirements for registration itself, only the period allowed to correct information.