Tennessee Bills

SB 303 would allow Tennessee public schools and charter schools to display specific historical documents - such as the Ten Commandments, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Tennessee Constitution, Bill of Rights, or school history resolutions - in prominent locations like entryways or cafeterias. It requires these displays to be in hard copy (e.g., posters) and lets school boards decide placement and size. The bill aims to educate students on "historical significance and common cultural heritage" as stated in its text. It directly affects all Tennessee public school districts and charter schools.

HB 484 requires health insurers and TennCare to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases starting January 1, 2026. It applies to all health benefit plans (including private insurance) and TennCare plans, mandating coverage when tests are supported by FDA approvals, clinical guidelines, or evidence-based standards. The bill specifies that insurers must approve or deny prior authorization requests within 24-72 hours and provide clear appeal processes for patients. This policy directly affects patients needing biomarker tests (e.g., for cancer treatment) and insurers managing coverage for these tests.

HB 29 requires health insurance companies to reimburse chiropractic physicians at the same rate as medical doctors for identical services, using the same payment methodology. It prohibits insurers from creating separate chiropractic codes or rates to avoid this requirement, applying to standard medical coding systems like CPT. The law directly affects chiropractors and insurers, but excludes state Medicaid (TennCare), CoverKids, and government-provided insurance. Key provisions mandate equal reimbursement calculations based on nationally recognized codes, with no impact on existing payment structures for exempt programs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 388 removes the June 30, 2028, expiration date for municipalities that continue to receive state sales tax revenue allocated under a now-repealed 2005 program (the Courthouse Square Revitalization Pilot Project Act). It directly affects eligible municipalities by making their ongoing revenue allocation permanent. The bill amends Tennessee law to delete the termination date and clarifies that the "courthouse square revitalization zone" refers to the area defined as of June 1, 2015. This is a procedural change to extend an existing financial provision, not a new policy.

HB 555 changes Tennessee's burglary law by reclassifying the offense of burglarizing a vehicle (such as a car or truck) from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. This adjustment directly affects individuals convicted of this specific type of burglary, resulting in a less severe criminal classification. The bill also updates related legal references in Tennessee Code to align with this change. It will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed after that date.

HB 397 directs state and local sales tax revenue from admissions, food, merchandise, parking, and related services at a specific stadium to fund that stadium's capital and operational costs. It applies only to stadiums in a single county (population 366,200-366,300 per 2020 census) hosting NCAA FCS football games, soccer events, and local events. The revenue - excluding local sales tax portions for schools - must be used exclusively for stadium capital projects (including debt payments) and operations until the debt is paid or July 1, 2055, whichever comes first. The bill requires the stadium operator to reimburse the state for reallocation costs.

SB 671 reclassifies burglary of a vehicle (a "conveyance") from a Class E felony to a Class D felony under Tennessee law. This change directly affects individuals convicted of breaking into cars, trucks, or other vehicles. The bill modifies specific sections of Tennessee Code (39-13-1002 and 40-32-101) to reflect this updated felony classification. The policy change reduces the severity of penalties for this specific offense, effective July 1, 2025.

SB 211 would allocate state and local sales tax revenue from a specific stadium to its operator. The bill targets a stadium in a county with a 2020 census population of 366,200-366,300 that hosts NCAA FCS football, soccer, and other events. Revenue from admissions, food/drinks, merchandise, parking, and related services (excluding school-focused local taxes) would fund the stadium’s capital projects and operations. This allocation would continue until the stadium’s debt is paid off or July 1, 2055, whichever comes first. The bill applies only to the entity designated to operate the stadium.

SB 145 extends indefinitely the continuation of state sales tax revenue payments to certain Tennessee municipalities that were part of the repealed Courthouse Square Revitalization Pilot Project Act of 2005. It removes the June 30, 2028, termination date from the law and clarifies that the "courthouse square revitalization zone" refers to the area defined as of June 1, 2015. This procedural bill directly affects eligible municipalities still receiving these tax allocations, ensuring their funding continues without a sunset provision.

HB 47 allows Tennessee public schools and charter schools to display specific historical documents - including the Ten Commandments, U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Tennessee Constitution - in prominent school areas like entryways or cafeterias. It permits local school boards to choose which documents to display, their size, and placement, while encouraging free wall posters or printed materials. The bill directly affects all public schools in Tennessee by authorizing this display for educational purposes related to historical significance. It does not require schools to display any documents, nor does it alter curriculum content. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

This legislative resolution honors Luis Alexander Plascencia, a nineteen-year-old resident of the Town of Cordova, for his work managing the town's social media page. The bill formally recognizes his efforts in creating a community platform that supports local businesses, organizes neighborhood events, and fosters connections among residents. By passing this resolution, the state acknowledges his contributions to civic engagement and community unity without altering any laws or policies. The document serves as a commemorative tribute rather than a functional piece of legislation.

This joint resolution honors the memory of William Kenneth Jorgensen, a retired public safety official from Williamson County who served for 35 years in various roles including Public Safety Director. The bill formally recognizes his contributions to his community and family, noting his career as a volunteer firefighter and his dedication to public service. It directs the state to present a copy of the resolution to his family as a gesture of sympathy and respect. The document does not create new laws or alter government operations but serves as a commemorative tribute to his life and legacy.