SB 1792 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to reimburse utilities for relocation costs when highway projects necessitate moving infrastructure like power lines, water pipes, or fiber optic networks. It sets a $2.5 million minimum reimbursement for projects exceeding that cost, while allowing higher payments at the commissioner's discretion. The bill clarifies that modern infrastructure - including broadband and fiber optics - is included under "utility" (aligning with current policy), and mandates the commissioner consider factors like ratepayer impact and project scale when approving reimbursements. This codifies existing practice without requiring new state funding, directly affecting utilities and highway construction projects.
HB 1651 would limit the biennial increase in office expense allowances for Tennessee General Assembly members to no more than 50% of their current allowance amount. Currently, allowances adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index (cost of living), but this bill adds a hard cap preventing increases exceeding half of the existing allowance. The adjustment would still use the Consumer Price Index and round to the nearest $100, but the 50% cap would override higher inflation-driven increases. This change would take effect for adjustments beginning with the 2026 statewide election cycle.
SB 1485 requires that most real estate deeds (excluding deeds of trust or mortgage) include the name and address of both the property owner and the person responsible for paying real estate taxes when recorded. This information can then be used to legally notify either party if they fail to pay property taxes, by serving them as if they were an agent for the property. The bill directly affects property owners and tax payers by creating a clear, standardized method for delivering legal notices through recorded deeds. It amends Tennessee law to clarify this process, aiming to streamline tax collection efforts.
HB 1008 increases penalties for selling vapor products to minors in Tennessee, elevating violations to a Class A misdemeanor (a more serious criminal charge) from a Class C misdemeanor. It requires all vape retailers to obtain a $250 annual license from the Department of Commerce and Insurance starting December 1, 2025, and mandates face-to-face sales only at licensed, age-restricted businesses (requiring ID verification for all customers). The bill also establishes civil penalties for license violations and defines key terms like "vapor product" and "age-restricted business." This directly affects vape retailers and underage buyers by creating new licensing requirements and stricter enforcement mechanisms.
HB 434 prohibits naming public facilities (like parks or buildings) after current or recently departed local public officials for two years after they leave office, unless private funds cover the naming costs. It also bans using public funds for charitable donations made "in the name of" an official, requiring such donations to be attributed to the public entity instead. The bill further prohibits naming facilities for officials convicted of felonies or crimes of moral turpitude. These rules apply to local governments and elected or appointed officials covered under Tennessee law. The bill includes exceptions for facilities named before an official took office or for deceased/veteran officials.
HB 809 shields pesticide manufacturers and sellers from civil lawsuits related to labeling, provided the pesticide had an EPA-approved label under federal law (FIFRA) at the time of sale. It specifically protects them from claims about labeling issues, including failure-to-warn lawsuits, if the label was compliant with federal requirements when sold. The protection does not apply if the pesticide was manufactured or sold in violation of state law or FIFRA. This bill amends Tennessee’s pesticide regulations (TCA Title 43, Chapter 8) to align with federal labeling standards.
This bill is a ceremonial resolution designating September 10, 2026, as "Charlie Kirk Day" in Tennessee. It honors Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a conservative media figure who died in 2025, recognizing his legacy in the conservative movement. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely commemorative. The designation applies only to Tennessee state observance.
HB 1693 would have allowed veterans to use a DD-214 (a military discharge certificate) as proof of U.S. citizenship when applying for public benefits like food assistance or housing aid in Tennessee. It amended state law to add the DD-214 to the list of acceptable documents for verifying citizenship eligibility. The bill was introduced on January 15, 2026, but withdrawn the same day (January 21, 2026), so it did not become law. This procedural change would have directly affected veterans seeking state or local public benefits.
HB 1469 would have exempted food and food ingredients purchased with an EBT card by SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries from Tennessee's 4% sales tax. The bill directly affected SNAP recipients by eliminating tax on their grocery purchases made using electronic benefits. Key provisions included amending state tax law to exempt these specific transactions while maintaining the 4% tax on other food sales. The bill was withdrawn on January 21, 2026, and never became law, so it has no current effect.
HJR 779 is a resolution honoring the Chattanooga Gas Company for its community contributions, including $35,000 in 2024 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and $64,000 in 2025 for local nonprofits like Forgotten Child and the Community Kitchen. The resolution recognizes the company's long-term service to Chattanooga residents and volunteer efforts, such as 215 service hours in 2024. As a commemorative resolution, it serves as a formal commendation without legal effect or policy changes.
HB 1655 would update Tennessee's medical practice law to explicitly allow healthcare professionals to use the terms "clinical informatics," "lifestyle medicine," and "medical virtualist" after their name to indicate their specialty within medical practice. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 6, adding these terms to the list of permitted designations that do not mislead the public about a person's medical credentials. This change directly affects medical professionals working in these specific specialties who wish to accurately describe their practice to patients. It is a technical update to clarify legal standards for professional designations, not a substantive change to medical practice requirements.
HB 1549 amends Tennessee's Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to incorporate updates from the Uniform Law Commission's 2018 and 2022 revisions. The bill primarily updates definitions to modernize electronic transactions, including clarifying terms like "conspicuous," "delivery" for electronic documents, "control" of electronic titles, and "electronic" records. It affects businesses, legal entities, and courts handling commercial transactions in Tennessee by standardizing how electronic records, signatures, and digital documents are treated under state law. The changes ensure Tennessee's UCC aligns with current commercial practices and federal standards for electronic commerce. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn before committee action.
