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 2284 changes the required notice period for property owners to 10 business days (instead of 10 calendar days) before selling livestock that trespassed on their property to satisfy a judgment for damages. This directly affects property owners who have recovered damages from trespassing animals and must sell the livestock to cover the judgment. The key provision simply extends the notice period to exclude weekends and holidays, making the timeline more practical for business operations. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections related to real property procedures.
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.
HB 2569 requires Tennessee hospitals to offer specific vaccinations to inpatients aged 50 or older before discharge. During flu season (October 1-March 1), hospitals must provide influenza vaccines to all patients 50+; pneumococcal vaccines must be offered year-round to the same age group. This bill lowers the age threshold from 65 to 50 for both requirements, directly affecting patients 50+ admitted to hospitals. The policy aims to increase vaccination rates among this demographic, aligning with CDC recommendations and requiring hospitals to provide these vaccines unless medically contraindicated or vaccine is unavailable. The law takes effect July 1, 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 2095 removes certain reporting deadlines for entities involved in higher education. It revises the Tennessee Student Assistance Award program by establishing a minimum financial need threshold of $100 and requiring payments to be directed to institutions before student disbursement. The bill also mandates regular reviews of college transfer pathways and authorizes the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to hold private meetings for specific purposes. These changes primarily affect students seeking financial aid, participating colleges, and state education administrators.
HB 2529 requires chancery courts to appoint the Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance as a court-appointed manager (receiver or conservator) for defendants found violating the Tennessee Securities Act of 1980, upon the commissioner’s request. This change directly affects securities industry violators and streamlines enforcement by giving the commissioner automatic authority to manage assets in court cases. The bill also modifies statute of limitations for private lawsuits (extending to 5 years from violation) and adds notice requirements for expunging customer dispute records from industry databases. These provisions aim to strengthen regulatory oversight and clarify procedures for handling securities violations.
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.
