Tennessee Bills

This bill would increase annual report filing fees for Tennessee businesses. For for-profit and nonprofit corporations, it raises the fee from $20 to $300 per year. For limited liability corporations (LLCs), it replaces variable per-member fees with a flat $100 initial filing fee and a $300 annual fee (previously $50 per member with a $300-$3,000 range). The changes apply to all domestic and foreign LLCs operating in Tennessee and take effect July 1, 2025.

SB 38, the "Tennessee Waste Reduction and Recycling Act" (TWRRA), is a procedural bill that changes the deadline for annual waste reporting. It shifts the date by which Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation must make report forms and information available online from January 1 to January 10 each year. This change directly affects municipal solid waste regions that submit annual reports to the department. The bill does not create new waste reduction policies but adjusts a reporting deadline for administrative efficiency. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 30, 2025.)

SJR 22 is a commemorative resolution honoring individuals and organizations that assisted East Tennessee residents during Hurricane Helene's 2024 flooding. It specifically recognizes first responders, healthcare workers, government agencies, volunteers, and community groups who provided aid during the disaster that caused 17 fatalities and widespread damage across 11 counties. The resolution expresses formal gratitude for their "heroic efforts" and humanitarian support without creating new laws or funding mechanisms. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact and serves solely to acknowledge community resilience and aid.

HB 19, introduced as the "Tennessee State Healthcare Cost Savings Incentive Program," creates a system where state healthcare plan enrollees (state employees and their families covered under state health plans) can earn incentives for choosing lower-cost, high-quality healthcare services. The bill requires a third-party vendor to develop an online platform showing cost and quality data for providers, allowing enrollees to shop for care. If enrollees select cost-effective options, they receive shared savings - either as cash or a credit to their health account - paid from the savings generated by their choices. The program mandates annual reports tracking participation and state savings, with implementation required by 2026.

HB 17, the "Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act," would create a state-run retirement savings program for Tennessee workers. It establishes a Tennessee Retirement Savings Board to develop a voluntary defined contribution plan, allowing residents employed in Tennessee to save for retirement through payroll deductions. The board, appointed by the governor and legislature, would set investment rules, manage fees, and administer the plan through the state treasury. This plan would directly affect employed Tennessee residents who choose to participate, offering a new retirement savings option alongside existing employer-sponsored plans.

HB 183 would allow county and city legislative bodies to approve certain development projects without holding public comment sessions, if the project matches zoning regulations or maps that were previously shared with the public for review. It directly affects local governments making development decisions and developers seeking permits for projects already aligned with publicly reviewed zoning. The bill amends Tennessee law to bypass the standard public comment requirement under specific conditions, applying only to projects in "substantial compliance" with previously available zoning. The bill was introduced in 2025 but withdrawn on January 27, 2025.

HB 53 would regulate paid advisors who assist veterans with claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee's Department of Veterans Services. It requires written agreements that cap fees at five times the monthly benefit increase (if successful), prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees, and bans guarantees of specific outcomes. The bill mandates clear disclosures that the service is not affiliated with government agencies and that free assistance may be available, while restricting how veterans' personal information is handled and requiring background checks for staff accessing such data. Violations would be subject to penalties under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, but the law does not apply to VA-accredited representatives.

HB 42 changes the annual reporting deadline for Tennessee's Department of Education regarding the school safety alert grant pilot fund, moving it from July 1 to August 1 each year starting in 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Section 49-1-225(f), to update this reporting date without altering the fund's purpose or required report content. This adjustment directly affects the Department of Education (which must submit reports by the new date) and the General Assembly (which receives the reports one month later). The change provides the Department with additional time to prepare the annual report while maintaining the same reporting requirements.

HB 59, currently withdrawn as of January 27, 2025, would prohibit life insurance issuers from collecting additional premiums once a policyholder has paid total premiums equal to the policy's coverage amount. This applies to policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting policyholders of qualifying life insurance. The key provision requires insurers to stop requesting further payments after the cumulative premiums paid reach the coverage value, effective July 1, 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Title 56 regarding life insurance regulations.

HB 11 requires Tennessee's Department of Safety to redesign driver licenses and photo IDs for lawful permanent residents and qualified noncitizens (including temporary permits) to feature a distinct colored background, making them visually different from licenses issued to U.S. citizens. This applies to all affected licenses and permits, which must maintain identical driving privileges and identity verification uses as standard licenses. The redesign must be implemented by January 1, 2026, and affected individuals may switch to standard-design licenses if they later provide U.S. citizenship documentation. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was withdrawn on January 27, 2025, and did not become law.

HB 97 defined "working day" for Tennessee state employees who are reservists called to active military duty, specifying it as the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work in a 24-hour period. This change would directly affect state employees serving in reserve components of the U.S. military by clarifying how their military leave and compensation are calculated. The bill amended Tennessee Code § 8-33-101 to establish this definition, aiming to standardize the process for determining leave eligibility. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn on January 27, 2025, and is no longer active.

SB 183 would regulate for-profit advisors who assist veterans with benefits claims by requiring written agreements that payment is contingent only on a successful benefits increase (capped at five times the monthly increase) and banning upfront or nonrefundable fees. It mandates clear disclosures informing veterans that free services are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee’s veterans services, and that the advisor is not affiliated with those agencies. The bill also prohibits advisors from guaranteeing specific outcomes, using veterans’ personal login credentials, or processing sensitive data via international call centers without background checks for staff. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act.