Tennessee Bills

SB 673, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges sentencing defendants for assault offenses to mandate completion of certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3+ hours per session, max 6:1 counselor ratio) or drug/alcohol treatment as part of alternative sentencing. It directly affects individuals convicted of assault who receive alternative sentences, requiring them to complete these programs fully without shortening the term via plea agreements. The bill also adds new requirements for defendants in certain violations to attend violence-focused counseling and mandates 12+ hours yearly domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025, and do not change assault definitions but alter sentencing conditions.

SB 1152, the "Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act," exempts Tennessee veterans of the U.S. military (including National Guard and reserves) from paying the $15 fee required for a business license. It directly affects veterans seeking to start or operate businesses in Tennessee, removing a financial barrier to entrepreneurship. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly state that veterans cannot be charged this fee for business licenses, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to support veterans' economic reintegration by reducing costs associated with business licensing.

SB 1151 removes a requirement that students with documented intellectual disabilities must enroll in an eligible Tennessee postsecondary program within 16 months of graduating high school to qualify for the STEP UP scholarship. This change directly affects students with intellectual disabilities seeking state-funded scholarships for higher education. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing the STEP UP program by deleting the specific 16-month enrollment deadline. The policy change applies to scholarships awarded starting the 2025-2026 academic year.

SB 735 requires state agencies to pay fair market value for the removal or acquisition of lawfully erected outdoor advertising devices (like billboards), rather than allowing payments to be spread out over time (amortization). It directly affects owners of these advertising structures and the state commissioner responsible for managing highway-related property. The bill mandates full compensation for removal costs and device value when relocation isn't offered, and explicitly prohibits using amortization as a payment method. This change applies to situations where devices must be removed under existing laws, such as those related to highway safety or federal regulations.

SB 36 exempts child care agencies from Tennessee's business tax and requires the state to annually return to counties and municipalities the exact amount of tax revenue collected from child care services in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This applies to taxes collected under Title 67, Chapter 4 of Tennessee law, specifically for services provided by child care agencies defined in §71-3-501. The allocated funds must come from state sales tax collections before other distributions, excluding revenue from Tennessee's 2002 sales tax rate increase. The bill affects child care agencies (by removing their tax burden) and local governments (which receive the redistributed funds), effective for tax years ending December 31, 2025, or later.

SJR 399 is a commemorative resolution thanking Tennessee retailers for collecting $14 billion in sales taxes in 2024. It recognizes that retailers bear card processing fees on the tax portion of transactions, which benefits the state, and expresses appreciation for their role in tax collection. The resolution does not change tax laws or create new obligations; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. It directly addresses retailers who collect sales taxes on behalf of the state.

SB 1392 authorizes Tennessee's funding board to issue up to $30 million in state bonds for capital projects. The funds would cover construction, equipment, highway improvements, bridge repairs, and infrastructure at state agencies and institutions of higher education. Specifically, proceeds must be allocated to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for capital improvements at colleges and universities. The bill also permits up to 2.5% of the bond amount to cover issuance costs, with all bonds being direct state obligations.

SB 1395 changes how state-funded nursing home care grants are paid. It requires payments to be made either monthly or quarterly directly to the nursing home resident or their legally authorized representative, not to the nursing home facility itself. This applies to all recipients of these specific grants under Tennessee law, ensuring funds go directly to individuals who need care. The bill amends multiple sections of the Tennessee Code to implement this payment method change, effective July 1, 2025.

This bill sets aside state funds from the Department of Transportation to cover costs when the legislature names highways or bridges in honor of service members killed in action. It directly affects the state's transportation department and the legislative process for honoring military personnel through future bills. The funding is specifically allocated for any 2025 legislative bill or resolution designating such memorials, ensuring these honors can be implemented without additional budget costs. The bill also acknowledges potential revenue losses from similar legislative actions.

SB 1022 expands Tennessee's assault law to protect additional public safety personnel by redefining "law enforcement officer" to include correctional officers working in county jails, state prisons, or private prisons, and probation/parole officers employed by the state or private providers. This change directly affects those officers by extending the legal protections of the assault offense statute to them, meaning assaulting them would now carry the same penalties as assaulting traditional law enforcement. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 39-13-116 to explicitly list these roles in the definition, removing ambiguity about their coverage. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing penalties for assault.

SB 788 redirects 3% of Tennessee's beer barrelage tax revenue - previously allocated to the general fund - to the Department of Agriculture. This funding supports two specific goals: encouraging brewers to use Tennessee-grown agricultural products and promoting the growth of the state's brewing industry. The bill directly affects brewers (who pay the tax) and Tennessee farmers (whose products may be used in brewing). It becomes effective July 1, 2025, with the Department of Agriculture managing the funds for these purposes.

SB 924 adds 10 new assistant district attorney general positions and 10 new criminal investigator positions in Tennessee judicial districts that include state correctional facilities. These roles are specifically designated for handling criminal cases related to offenses occurring within state prisons, including violations of specific prison-related laws. The bill requires prison staff to provide full access to evidence and cooperation for these prosecutors and investigators. The positions will be funded at specified pay levels and take effect on July 1, 2025, for districts including the first, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-second, twenty-fifth, twenty-ninth, thirtieth, and thirty-second judicial districts.