Tennessee Bills

SB 2633 expands eligibility for tourism-related tax revenue by adding mixed-use developments containing performance venues with 2,500+ seats to the definition of "qualified public use facility" under Tennessee's tourism tax laws. It allows municipalities or public authorities that have financed such facilities within tourism development zones to use allocated sales tax revenues for authorized purposes, including these new developments. The bill specifically targets large-scale projects requiring $300 million+ in public and private investment, covering venues alongside retail, hotel, or residential components. This change directly affects local governments managing tourism zones seeking to fund qualifying developments through existing tax allocation mechanisms. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-88-114 and 67-4-3002.

HB 2422 deletes outdated language in Tennessee law (TCA 49-6-6013) that previously described the format for state assessment tests during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. The bill directly affects Tennessee's education code by removing obsolete references no longer applicable to current testing procedures. This administrative change does not alter current assessment requirements or the structure of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) for future school years.

SB 2557 shortens the deadline for health insurance companies to provide fee schedules to healthcare providers from 10 to 9 business days after receiving a written request. The bill requires that fee schedules be delivered free of charge, in a standard digital format (like Microsoft Excel), and can be provided as either a partial or full version as requested by the provider. This change directly affects all health insurance carriers in Tennessee and healthcare providers who need timely access to billing information for administrative and billing purposes. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee's health insurance code to implement this time reduction.

SB 2419 changes the deadline for submitting written applications for public fireworks permits in Tennessee from 10 calendar days to 10 business days before a display. This affects individuals and organizations seeking permits for public fireworks events. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 to shorten the submission window by excluding weekends and holidays from the required timeframe. The change aims to streamline the permitting process while maintaining a clear, consistent deadline.

SB 2646 allows Tennessee industrial development corporations (IDCs) to merge with other corporations using the same process as public benefit corporations under Tennessee law. Specifically, it amends state code to let IDC boards initiate mergers following procedures outlined in Title 48 (Nonprofit Corporation Act), streamlining how these entities can combine. This directly affects IDCs, which are nonprofit organizations that develop industrial sites to support economic growth. The bill creates a clear legal pathway for IDCs to merge, without changing their core mission or creating new programs.

SB 2224 transfers oversight of land surveyors from the state board of examiners for land surveyors to the state board of examiners for architects and engineers. It removes the registration requirement for interior designers and adjusts how fees from contractor licensing are used, eliminating a specific funding mechanism tied to the Go Build Tennessee Act. The bill affects land surveyors, interior designers, and contractor licensing programs by changing regulatory oversight and fee allocation. These changes streamline occupational licensing by consolidating related boards and removing certain registration and funding requirements.

SB 2293 amends Tennessee law to expand the definition of "consumable material" to include all liquid nicotine solutions (natural or synthetic) and nicotine analogues used in vapor products. This change directly affects vapor product retailers and manufacturers, as it brings these nicotine liquids under the state's existing vapor product taxation rules. The bill also shifts enforcement authority: the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, rather than courts, will now issue fines for selling vapor products to anyone under 21. Additionally, it updates definitions to clarify that vapor products include e-cigarettes and related cartridges, while excluding products regulated under federal food/drug law. These provisions aim to modernize regulatory scope and enforcement for nicotine-containing vapor products.

SB 2614 would allow Tennessee county legislative bodies to set the salary for the director of accounts and budgets in counties operating under the County Purchasing Law of 1957. The bill amends state law to explicitly permit county legislative bodies to establish this compensation level, overriding any conflicting existing provisions. This change directly affects county governments using the County Purchasing Law and the specific county employees holding the director of accounts and budgets position. The bill does not apply to counties not operating under this purchasing law.

SB 2227 removes a reporting requirement for Tennessee's Department of Health regarding remote access to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Specifically, it deletes subsection (b) of Tennessee Code Annotated Section 68-1-144, which had mandated a report due December 15, 2022, about remote use of the WIC program. The bill does not change WIC program operations or eligibility; it only eliminates an outdated administrative reporting obligation. This is a procedural change affecting the Department of Health's record-keeping, not the program's service delivery.

SB 2431 removes the requirement for a license from Tennessee's health facilities commission for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) services that are not used for diagnostic purposes. This change directly affects healthcare facilities offering these imaging services for non-diagnostic uses, such as research or patient comfort, rather than medical diagnosis. The bill amends Tennessee Code to exclude non-diagnostic MRI and PET from licensing requirements under health facility regulations. The exemption will take effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 2612 requires Tennessee driver license staff to ask applicants at the time of application or renewal whether they want a REAL ID-compliant license (meeting federal security standards) or a non-REAL ID-compliant license. Applicants must receive a printed document explaining the different document requirements, acceptable uses (like domestic air travel), alternatives (such as a passport), and technology differences between the two license types. This makes REAL ID compliance optional for all applicants without changing federal requirements, and staff must process non-REAL ID applications if chosen. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2468 requires Tennessee courts to impose a mandatory fine equal to at least twice the cost of property damage or restoration when vandalism occurs at a house of worship (like a church, synagogue, or mosque). This applies specifically to sentencing for vandalism offenses committed at these locations, directly affecting both the convicted individual and the affected house of worship. The bill amends Tennessee criminal code to add this penalty as part of the sentence, overriding standard sentencing guidelines for such cases. It takes effect July 1, 2026, if passed.