Tennessee Bills

This House resolution honors Dr. Carolyn Baldwin Tucker for her lifelong contributions to education, public service, and community leadership in Tennessee. The bill formally recognizes her achievements as a teacher, principal, school director, and elected Metro Council member, including her historic role as the first African-American woman elected to the Nashville Metro Council. It acknowledges her work in youth development programs, violence prevention initiatives, and legislative advocacy for guidance counselors in elementary schools. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new policy requirements.

SJR 876 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Revolutionary War veterans buried within or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, including specific individuals like Henry Bohanan, William Hamby, and Martha Dandridge Washington. It encourages Tennesseans to acknowledge these veterans' contributions as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of their historical significance to the state and nation. It was introduced in 2026 and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.

SB 1882 changes Tennessee's requirement for drivers whose licenses or registrations were suspended for failing to provide proof of insurance. It now mandates that individuals must maintain proof of insurance for at least one year or the full suspension period, whichever is longer. The bill clarifies that if insurance is used as proof, the effective date starts when proof was first provided, and coverage must continue through the suspension. This directly affects drivers who lost their license or registration due to no insurance, making it easier to reinstate their driving privileges once the required period ends. The law applies to offenses occurring on or after January 1, 2027.

SB 2009 designates the bog turtle (*Glyptemys muhlenbergii*) as Tennessee's second official state reptile, amending Tennessee Code Annotated Section 4-1-321 to replace the previous single-reptile designation with a list including both the eastern box turtle and the bog turtle. This symbolic bill directly affects Tennessee's official state symbols but does not create new regulations, funding, or conservation programs. The legislation aims to raise public awareness about the bog turtle's endangered status - its southern population has declined by over 50% in two decades due to habitat loss and poaching - though it does not alter conservation efforts. The bill takes effect upon enactment.

Tennessee's SB 1799 requires social media platforms (like Facebook or Instagram) to delete all personal information linked to an account when the account holder deletes their account. This applies to data collected directly through the platform by the account holder or other users, excluding publicly available information or de-identified data. The law creates a private right to sue platforms that fail to comply, allowing for damages, penalties, and attorney fees. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and excludes email services, cloud storage, payment platforms, and other non-social media services from its scope.

This resolution designates October 2 as "School Custodian Day" in Tennessee to recognize the contributions of school custodians. It directly honors custodians who maintain clean, safe school environments for students and staff year-round. The resolution has no policy changes or funding provisions - it is purely a symbolic observance to acknowledge their work. The bill is a commemorative resolution, not a law with operational requirements.

SB 242, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities (including hedge funds and large property companies) from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in qualifying Tennessee counties (those with over 150,000 residents per the 2020 census) for rental purposes. The bill creates a legal cause of action for the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators, with penalties up to $100 per day per home and potential damages. It directly affects large-scale property investors operating in high-population counties, aiming to preserve homeownership opportunities by limiting bulk rentals. The law does not apply to homes purchased for personal residence or to governmental entities.

This Senate Resolution (SR 263) urges TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, to cover and reimburse doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It directly affects TennCare beneficiaries - particularly those in rural areas or facing health disparities - and doulas providing childbirth support. The resolution cites evidence from pilot programs like Nashville Strong Babies, which showed improved outcomes including higher breastfeeding rates, fewer C-sections, and healthier birth weights. It does not create new law but formally requests TennCare to expand coverage for these non-medical, community-based services.

This Tennessee House resolution formally recognizes Kailei Beeler, a senior at Union County High School, for her appointment to the United States Naval Academy. The bill highlights her academic achievements, leadership in the Navy JROTC program, and participation in various extracurricular activities as reasons for the recognition. It directs the House to present a copy of the resolution to Beeler as a gesture of appreciation for her accomplishments and wishes her success in her future naval career.

This Tennessee House resolution honors The Links, Incorporated, an international nonprofit organization of over 17,000 professional women of color dedicated to community service and equality. The bill recognizes the organization's history of volunteer work, its chapters across multiple states and countries, and its significant contributions to various social and educational causes. It specifically acknowledges the upcoming gathering of ten Tennessee chapters on Capitol Hill in March 2026, where members will meet with legislators to discuss issues affecting their communities. The resolution formally commends the members for their public service and commitment to advancing opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic background.

HR 158 is a procedural resolution that formally approves amendments to Tennessee's Rules of Appellate Procedure, which were proposed by the Tennessee Supreme Court on January 14, 2026. It does not create new law but completes the required legislative approval process for the court's updated rules governing appeals procedures. The resolution directly affects Tennessee appellate courts, lawyers, and individuals involved in state appellate cases by implementing these revised procedural rules. This bill simply ratifies the Supreme Court's changes without altering substantive legal standards or creating new obligations.

HR 159 is a procedural resolution approving amendments to the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure, proposed by the Tennessee Supreme Court. It formally ratifies changes to court procedures governing criminal cases, such as evidence rules and defendant rights, as promulgated by the Supreme Court under Tennessee law. The resolution does not create new law but grants legislative approval for these court-drafted rules to take effect. This affects criminal courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and defendants operating under Tennessee's criminal justice system.