Tennessee Bills

SB 1164 exempts the retail sale of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables for human consumption from Tennessee's 4% sales tax on food. This change directly affects grocery shoppers purchasing produce and retailers selling these items. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-6-228 to remove the tax on these specific food items while maintaining the 4% tax on other food and food ingredients. The exemption will take effect July 1, 2025, if the bill is enacted.

SB 650 ("Emma's Bill") requires Tennessee's TennCare program to consider a patient's overall health condition - not just cost - when deciding if medical services are medically necessary. It directly affects TennCare patients (particularly those with complex needs like ventilator use or mobility issues) and the Tennessee Department of Health (the "bureau" making coverage decisions). The bill amends TennCare rules to mandate that reviewers assess factors like mobility, cognitive ability, need for supervision, and life-sustaining equipment, even if the chosen care isn't the least expensive option. This shifts the focus from cost-cutting to holistic patient needs in coverage determinations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

SB 740 requires Tennessee school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under federal nutrition programs. The state would reimburse districts for meal costs after all applicable federal funds (from programs like the National School Lunch Act) have been applied, subject to available state funding. This policy becomes effective for the 2025-2026 school year and applies to all subsequent school years. The bill amends state law to align eligibility criteria with federal income standards and streamline reimbursement processes.

SB 841 requires that individuals arrested for felony offenses in Tennessee have a mouth swab (biological specimen) collected for DNA analysis before being released from custody. The sample must be sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and becomes a condition of bond or release. If charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted, TBI must destroy the sample and related records, unless other felony charges or warrants are pending. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all felony arrests occurring on or after that date.

SB 526 amends Tennessee's tax code to allow business tax return extension requests to be signed by an authorized representative, not just the business owner. This change directly affects businesses that use tax professionals, accountants, or other authorized agents to handle their filings. The key provision replaces the requirement for a business owner's signature with an option for an authorized representative's signature on extension requests. The bill does not change tax rates or filing requirements, only the signature process for extensions. This is a procedural update to administrative tax filing rules.

SB 1205 exempts the sale or use of menstrual hygiene products from Tennessee's sales and use tax. It defines these products to include tampons, pads, liners, cups, and douches (both reusable and disposable) for individuals managing menstruation. The exemption will take effect on July 1, 2025, removing a tax burden on these essential items for consumers and retailers. This policy change directly affects people who purchase these products and businesses selling them within Tennessee.

SB 1387 would expand eligibility for Tennessee's Senator Ben Atchley Opportunity Grant to include Western Governors University (WGU) as a qualifying institution. This change directly affects Tennessee resident students enrolled at WGU who wish to use the grant for tuition. The bill adds WGU to the list of eligible institutions that must meet specific criteria, including maintaining a physical campus in Tennessee, using competency-based education, and having a Tennessee-based governing body. These requirements ensure WGU aligns with existing grant program standards for nonprofit, regionally accredited institutions. The bill does not alter the grant's funding structure or create new financial obligations.

SB 907 would exempt certain high-cost prescription drugs from Tennessee's business tax on sales receipts. The bill specifically targets prescription medicines where the 30-day supply cost exceeds the Medicare Part D specialty tier threshold for 2025, as determined by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It also extends the tax exemption to services related to preparing, storing, handling, administering, educating patients about, and monitoring these exempted drugs. This change would apply to pharmacies and other entities selling these medications starting July 1, 2025.

SB 679 updates Tennessee's school funding formula (TISA) to include pre-kindergarten students with special education needs and their non-disabled classmates ("peer models") who learn together in the least restrictive environment. The bill amends state law to define these terms and ensures school districts receive dedicated TISA funding for these students without reducing other state education funds. This change applies to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, directly affecting pre-K special education programs and their inclusive classroom settings.

This bill would exempt infant formula, diapers, and baby wipes designed for infants and children from Tennessee's sales tax starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects parents or caregivers purchasing these essential baby items and retailers selling them. The key provision adds a specific tax exemption to Tennessee's sales tax code for these products, with "infant formula" defined as items meant to substitute human milk for infants. The exemption applies to both in-store and online retail purchases of qualifying items.

SB 1123 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator position to provide training, oversight, and technical assistance to local sexual assault response teams across Tennessee. The coordinator, employed by the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, will ensure local teams comply with standards and access necessary resources. The role requires an annual report to the legislature on program effectiveness, training efforts, and service gaps. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is funded through state grants to the Tennessee Coalition.

SB 989 corrects the official name of the Cumberland Museum and Science Center to "Adventure Science Center" in Tennessee law to ensure the institution remains eligible for state educational grants-in-aid under Title 49. This technical amendment updates the statutory reference (TCA § 49-3-320) so the center can continue receiving existing state funding for educational programs. The bill directly affects the Adventure Science Center by aligning its legal name with its current identity. It does not create new funding or change program requirements.