Tennessee Bills

HB 1785 requires Tennessee public school districts (LEAs) to allow high school students enrolled at small private schools (under 200 students) located within the district to try out for interscholastic sports at their zoned public high school. It applies only if the student lives in the district and meets existing athletic eligibility rules set by sports associations. The bill does not guarantee a spot on a team or override coaches' decisions, but ensures private school students aren’t barred solely due to their school type. This policy affects students at qualifying small private schools and public schools in Tennessee, effective for the 2026-2027 school year.

SB 1738 exempts active-duty military service members stationed outside Tennessee from paying the additional registration fee for all-electric vehicles. It applies to members stationed out of state under military orders, provided the vehicle is titled and registered in their name (alone or with a spouse/relative). To qualify, service members must submit a copy of their official stationing orders to the county clerk when renewing registration. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, for registrations renewed on or after that date.

SB 1670 updates Tennessee state law to recognize the U.S. Space Force as a distinct military branch by adding it to existing definitions across multiple statutes. The bill amends 15 sections of the Tennessee Code - including provisions related to military personnel, veterans' benefits, and uniformed service - to explicitly include "space force" alongside other branches like the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This change ensures state agencies and programs (such as those handling military leave, vehicle registration for service members, and benefits eligibility) now formally encompass Space Force personnel. The bill does not alter rights or create new programs but aligns Tennessee's legal references with the federal establishment of the Space Force as a separate military branch.

HB 1924 directs Tennessee's Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study all local crime stoppers programs statewide. The study will assess data collection, funding stability, community-law enforcement partnerships, and program effectiveness to identify improvements. TACIR must then recommend statewide standards, better coordination, and enhanced public engagement for these programs. The bill does not change existing laws or fund programs directly - it only mandates a review to inform future policy. This affects all Tennessee crime stoppers organizations, law enforcement agencies, and communities relying on these tip-reporting services.

HB 1760 amends Tennessee law to extend the deadline for scheduling building inspections of footers in single-family or two-family homes from one to two working days after a request is made. This change directly affects homeowners, contractors, and building inspectors who handle residential construction projects. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 68-120-101(f)(1)(C) to reflect this two-working-day timeline. The policy change aims to provide more flexibility in scheduling inspections without altering inspection standards or requirements. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.

SB 2133 amends Tennessee law to make intentionally starving livestock to death a Class E felony when done in a "depraved and sadistic manner" without justification. It directly affects livestock owners and caretakers who engage in such cruelty. The key provision expands the definition of "aggravated cruelty to a livestock animal" to specifically include starvation resulting in death, alongside other severe acts. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to cases meeting the specified cruel intent.

SB 1523 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to June 30, 2028. This board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates in state correctional facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10) to update the board's sunset date. The extension ensures continued oversight of inmate discipline processes without altering the board's existing responsibilities.

SB 1584 requires Tennessee hospitals to offer influenza vaccinations (during October 1-March 1 each year) and pneumococcal vaccinations (year-round) to all inpatients aged 50 or older before discharge. This lowers the age threshold from 65 to 50 for these mandatory immunizations, directly affecting hospitals and patients in that age group. The bill amends Tennessee law to align with CDC recommendations, mandating these offers unless medically contraindicated or vaccines are unavailable. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to discharges during the specified flu season period.

HB 1973 amends Tennessee's educator licensure laws to expand protections by prohibiting sexually related behavior between educators and former students (defined as those who graduated or withdrew within the past year). It also removes the option for schools to skip license discipline when educators break employment contracts without valid reasons. The bill requires schools to report violations of these rules to the state board of education, directly affecting teachers, principals, and school personnel whose conduct could lead to licensure penalties. Key provisions include banning behaviors like inappropriate touching, sexual remarks, or pressuring students for favors, regardless of consent. The law becomes effective July 2026, with immediate reporting requirements for violations.

HB 1986 requires the Tennessee Department of Correction to notify the police chief of the city (and the county law enforcement chief) whenever an inmate is granted a furlough. This directly affects the Department of Correction, which must send these notifications, and local police departments in the inmate's residence area. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 41-21-227(e), to add this notification requirement as a standard part of the furlough process. It does not change the conditions for granting furloughs, only the communication protocol with local law enforcement.

SB 1784 amends Tennessee law to extend the timeframe for scheduling foundation inspections of one- or two-family residential buildings from one to two working days after a request is made. This change directly affects property owners, contractors, and building inspectors who coordinate these mandatory structural checks. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-120-101(f)(1)(C), to update the inspection deadline without altering the inspection requirements themselves. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, providing more time for scheduling these routine building inspections.

SB 1871 authorizes the commissioner of general services to appoint directors and staff of law enforcement training academies under their supervision as law enforcement officers, requiring compliance with existing officer standards. It also permits the Department of General Services to operate sales facilities at these academies, selling items like food, equipment, and promotional goods to fund academy operations. All fees collected from these sales must be deposited into a dedicated fund exclusively for academy maintenance, administration, and enhancements. The bill updates state law to establish these new revenue mechanisms and appointment authorities for training academies.