HB 1875 prevents homeowners' associations (HOAs) and condominium associations from banning lot or unit owners from installing personal electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on their own property, including designated parking spots. The bill allows associations to set reasonable limits on station size, placement, and installation method but prohibits them from blocking installations in owners' designated parking areas. Homeowners installing EV chargers must cover liability costs and maintain insurance, with associations required to be named as insureds. This directly affects homeowners seeking EV infrastructure and HOAs managing community rules, effective July 2026.
HB 2013 requires law enforcement officers to arrange for blood or urine testing of psychotropic drugs at a hospital when they have probable cause to believe a person committed a "mass shooting" (defined as causing injury to four or more people or attempting to kill four or more). The law mandates hospitals to collect samples via qualified medical personnel (like doctors or nurses) and send them to the health science center for analysis. The health science center must study drug interactions from the samples and include findings in quarterly reports to lawmakers. This applies to mass shootings occurring on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 1696 changes Tennessee's public contract payment rules by requiring state departments and agencies to pay businesses within 30 days of receiving an invoice, instead of the current 45-day period. It also mandates annual reports by January 10 on late payments made in the previous year, including the number of late payments, their total amount, and any unpaid interest. These reports must be submitted to the chairs of the relevant legislative committees in the Senate and House. The bill directly affects state entities that contract with businesses for property or services and aims to improve payment timing and transparency.
SB 2083 amends Tennessee law to increase the maximum number of nonrelated people allowed in homes for the aged. It changes the definition so that tier 1 homes (for the aged) can now accommodate up to five people (previously three), and tier 2 homes can now house up to six people (previously four). This directly affects licensed residential care facilities providing long-term care for elderly individuals. The bill modifies the specific numerical thresholds in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 11, without altering other facility requirements or funding.
SB 1901 requires U.S. citizenship or "qualified alien" status (as defined in Tennessee law) for individuals seeking professional licenses, certificates, permits, or authorizations across multiple occupations. It amends over 20 Tennessee code sections affecting fields like court reporting, law, aeronautics instruction, and healthcare services. The bill explicitly adds this eligibility requirement to existing licensing standards, such as mandating it for court reporters (Section 2), lawyers (Section 3), and healthcare providers (Sections 12-13). This policy change directly impacts applicants for these professions in Tennessee by establishing a new federal immigration status criterion for licensure.
HB 1858 allows Tennessee local governments (like city councils, county commissions, and school boards) to hold community meetings using video or audio conferencing. It requires these meetings to provide real-time public access online, post notices detailing electronic participation options, record the meeting, and share the recording on the government’s website within four business days. The bill also prohibits voting during meetings where members participate remotely and mandates that remote participants identify themselves by name throughout the session. This changes how local governments conduct public meetings, making remote attendance more accessible while maintaining transparency requirements.
SB 1820 requires the Tennessee Department of Correction to study the costs of equipping correctional officers and prison contractor employees with body cameras at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility. The study must be completed and reported to legislative committee chairs by July 1, 2026. This bill does not mandate body cameras but directs a cost analysis to inform potential future policy decisions regarding equipment at this specific facility.
HB 1989 updates Tennessee's legal references to recognize the U.S. Space Force as a distinct military branch. It amends 15 Tennessee Code sections to add "space force" alongside existing branches (army, navy, air force, etc.) in definitions covering military personnel, benefits, and service-related provisions. This change directly affects how Tennessee law references military service members, including their spouses, dependents, and eligibility for state programs like vehicle registration reciprocity. The bill makes no new policy changes but aligns state statutes with the federal establishment of the Space Force.
SB 1551 extends the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education's operational period until June 30, 2030, by removing its previous expiration date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to career education (Title 4, Chapter 29) and the council's statutory authority (Title 49, Chapter 11). This procedural change ensures the council continues operating without needing new legislation before 2030, directly affecting its oversight of career and technical education programs statewide.
SB 1590 designates specific river segments - including the entire Buffalo River and most of the Duck River - as protected Class II pastoral river areas, while adding four new waterways (Beaverdam Creek, Lick Creek, Piney River, and Swan Creek) to this protected status. It removes previous county exclusions for the Buffalo River and modifies the Duck River segment to exclude only the Normandy Reservoir area managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The bill also updates public outreach requirements by changing references from "Duck River" to "any river" in state law. These changes directly affect communities and landowners along the designated waterways, particularly in Hickman, Williamson, and Dickson counties.
HB 1581 extends the existence of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board until June 30, 2028, by amending state code sections related to the board's authority. This bill directly affects inmates in Tennessee correctional facilities and the state's prison system, as the board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates. The key change is a simple extension of the board's operational period, maintaining existing oversight without altering its structure or responsibilities.
SB 1495 amends Tennessee law to add Alvogen, Inc., Apotex Corp., and Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. to the list of companies the attorney general may release from pending or future opioid-related claims. The bill updates Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 20-13-203 and 33-11-103(p) to replace "Purdue Pharma L.P." with a combined list including those three new companies. This change directly affects these pharmaceutical companies by expanding the pool eligible for potential release from opioid litigation claims. The policy change modifies the legal criteria for when the state attorney general can release companies from liability in opioid cases.
