Tennessee Bills

SB 2412 (Tennessee) requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to study whether the current cap on compensation for noneconomic damages (like pain and suffering) in civil injury cases should be raised. The office must submit a report with recommendations to Senate and House judiciary committee chairs by January 1, 2027. This bill does not change existing law but directs a formal review of the damage limit. It affects civil litigation involving personal injury claims where current caps apply, but the bill itself only mandates research - not policy change.

HB 2129 modifies Tennessee's reporting requirements for pre-kindergarten programs by changing the frequency from annual to triennial (every three years). The bill directs the Department of Education's Office of Early Learning to submit a detailed report to the governor and legislature every three years, including data on provider locations, program types, and the number of at-risk children served. The report must also be published on the department's website. This change directly affects the Department of Education's Office of Early Learning, altering its administrative reporting obligations.

SB 2544 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact" to allow licensed respiratory therapists from one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly military families relocating and those addressing workforce shortages in healthcare. The bill establishes standardized rules for license recognition, background checks, and disciplinary actions across member states while preserving each state's authority to protect public health. It aims to increase access to respiratory therapy services and streamline administrative processes for both therapists and states.

HB 2511 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 9 to clarify that airport authorities (under Title 42, Chapters 3 or 4) may directly appropriate funds for debt service payments on debt they issue. This allows airport authorities to fund payments on their own issued debt without that debt being considered a state liability. The bill authorizes these appropriations for an indefinite period, providing ongoing financial flexibility for airport projects. It directly affects Tennessee airport authorities managing their own debt obligations.

HB 2106 would cap annual transfers from Tennessee's lottery for education account to the Tennessee Promise scholarship fund at $10 million per fiscal year, starting in 2025-2026. The bill limits how much lottery revenue can be redirected to the scholarship program, requiring any excess funds beyond a specified reserve to be transferred - but capping this transfer at $10 million yearly. This directly affects the Tennessee Promise scholarship program by controlling its annual funding source from lottery revenues. The change modifies state law to ensure consistent, predictable funding levels for the scholarship initiative without increasing overall state spending.

HB 2145, the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Act," would allow Tennessee to join a multi-state agreement enabling licensed respiratory therapists to practice more easily across participating states. The bill creates a "compact privilege" that lets therapists work in other member states without full re-licensing, while preserving each state's authority to protect public safety. It specifically aims to improve patient access to respiratory therapy, support military families relocating, and address workforce shortages. The compact applies to licensed therapists holding credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care, with Tennessee becoming a member state once enacted. This bill is currently pending in the Health Committee as of March 2026.

SB 2159 caps annual transfers from Tennessee's lottery for education funds to the Tennessee Promise scholarship program at $10 million per fiscal year. It requires that any excess funds beyond a specified reserve amount be transferred to the scholarship account, but limits each year's transfer to no more than $10 million. This directly affects the Tennessee Promise scholarship program, which provides tuition assistance to eligible students. The bill modifies existing funding rules to ensure a predictable annual allocation without increasing overall state funding for the program.

SB 2636 allows homeschooling families in Tennessee to use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) alongside the ACT and SAT for standardized testing requirements. It requires homeschool students in grades 5, 7, and 9 to take either a nationally normed test (like the CLT) supervised by an unrelated proctor or public school-approved tests, with results shared with parents, school directors, and the state board. If students don’t meet proficiency thresholds, parents must consult school officials and may need to design remedial coursework or retake tests. The bill also requires public schools to list opportunities for homeschool students to take college-prep courses and exams like the CLT on their websites.

HB 2376 requires county sheriffs to provide free, secure lockers for individuals lawfully carrying firearms who are restricted from bringing them into county courthouses. If a courthouse restricts handgun possession under existing law, the sheriff must offer lockers near public entrances for safe storage at no cost to the person. The bill applies specifically to those carrying firearms legally under Tennessee statutes (e.g., permit holders), not to general courthouse access. It does not change existing restrictions but creates a practical storage solution for affected individuals. The measure amends Tennessee Code sections related to firearms and courthouse access.

SB 2352 requires county sheriffs to provide free, secure lockers at courthouse entrances for individuals lawfully carrying firearms when courthouse possession is restricted. It directly affects sheriffs (who must offer the service) and lawful firearm carriers (who can store weapons securely without cost). The bill amends Tennessee law to allow these lockers to be placed near public entrances, ensuring firearms are stored separately in locked units during courthouse visits. This policy change applies specifically to courthouses where local restrictions on firearm possession exist, as defined in existing statutes.

SB 2441 requires Tennessee's education commissioner to mandate the closure of virtual schools that consistently underperform, specifically those with "significantly below expectations" student achievement for three consecutive years (measured by TVAAS) or ranking in the bottom 10% of schools. It prohibits the same nonprofit or for-profit provider from operating any new virtual school in Tennessee for five years if their existing virtual school is closed due to poor academic performance. The bill also mandates that schools notify parents in writing within one week of closure, provide enrollment alternatives within 30 days, and ensure student records are transferred properly. These provisions directly affect virtual school operators, local education agencies, and students enrolled in underperforming virtual schools. The policy aims to enforce accountability for virtual school performance through mandatory closures and provider restrictions.

SB 1945 amends Tennessee's bail laws to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order them held without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new offense while released, or disrupt trial proceedings. This directly affects defendants who are already on bail but breach their release terms. The bill requires courts to issue a written order and schedule a hearing before imposing the temporary hold, with a separate hearing needed for permanent bond revocation. The change modifies existing procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 11, without creating new offenses or penalties.