Tennessee Bills

SB 1864 modifies Tennessee's security guard licensing rules by adding stalking to the list of crimes requiring a five-year waiting period after completing a sentence or probation before an applicant can register. It also disqualifies applicants from security guard registration if they are listed on a state or out-of-state abuse registry or have firearm prohibitions (like orders of protection). The bill updates requirements for security guards to report arrests or convictions related to specified offenses within 10 days. These changes directly affect individuals seeking security guard licenses who have certain criminal histories.

SB 2005 requires certain fire investigators in Tennessee to hold a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification to exercise police powers - such as making arrests - in arson or suspected arson cases. This applies to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance and their deputies, municipal fire investigators, and salaried county fire investigators. Investigators may still conduct routine fire origin investigations without certification but must have it when using police authority. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2027, with POST issuing certifications after meeting police officer qualifications and completing annual training.

SB 2013 establishes a two-year moratorium on approving new out-of-state nursing programs seeking to place students in Tennessee for clinical experiences. It directly affects out-of-state nursing programs (though existing approved programs retain status during the moratorium) and requires the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement to develop new standards for these programs. Key mechanisms include mandating annual reporting on student placements, preceptors, and outcomes, and requiring verification of preceptor licensure and program data. The bill also directs the Center to publish final standards by June 2027 and annual oversight reports starting in 2027.

SB 2132 prevents certain state agency rules from automatically expiring on June 30, 2026. Specifically, it applies to permanent rules filed with the secretary of state on or after January 1, 2025, that are active when the bill takes effect and would otherwise expire on that date. These rules will remain in effect indefinitely until changed by the agency, new legislation, or repealed - rather than expiring as scheduled. The bill does not override other laws, ensuring rules cannot conflict with statutes outside the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. This is a procedural adjustment to administrative rules, not a substantive policy change.

SB 1788 prohibits Tennessee local governments (like cities or counties) from moving homeless individuals to another jurisdiction without first getting written agreement from that receiving area. It also bans using public funds for such relocations unless housing and services are confirmed available in the new location. The bill authorizes Tennessee’s attorney general to impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and lets affected jurisdictions sue for damages or block violations through court orders. These changes apply to local government actions under Tennessee law, directly impacting how municipalities handle homeless population relocations.

SB 1883 modifies Tennessee's administrative procedures for contested cases involving boards attached to the Department of Environment and Conservation. It shortens the deadline for administrative law judges to issue initial orders from 180 to 90 days after a hearing concludes. The bill clarifies that these boards cannot review initial orders unless a party appeals directly to them within 15 days, preserving the right to appeal while streamlining the process. This change applies to cases governed by Titles 60, 68, and 69 of Tennessee Code Annotated.

HB 1784 designates January 22 of each year as "Sanctity of Life Day" for observance in Tennessee, as part of the state's recognition of days of special significance. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, to formally add this day to the state's list of recognized observances. It cites the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision (which overturned Roe v. Wade) as context for renewing Tennessee's commitment to protecting life. This is a symbolic measure without regulatory or financial impact, as it only establishes an annual day of recognition.

SB 1956 requires Tennessee's Secretary of State to compile and publish a report using existing resources on the number of nonprofit corporate registrations revoked for legal violations over the past three calendar years. The report must be transmitted to the Senate and House chief clerks and the legislative librarian by December 31, 2026, and may be shared electronically. This bill does not change existing laws about revoking registrations but creates a new reporting requirement for the Secretary of State's office to provide transparency to the legislature.

SB 1816 amends Tennessee Code § 57-3-101 to explicitly include "bottling distilled spirits" under the definition of "manufacture" for alcohol licensing purposes. This change directly affects businesses that bottle distilled spirits (like whiskey or vodka) by requiring them to obtain a manufacturing license, rather than a separate bottling permit. The bill updates the legal definition so that bottling is treated as part of the manufacturing process, aligning licensing requirements with distilling and brewing activities. It does not create new taxes or restrictions but clarifies regulatory oversight for bottled spirits. The bill is currently pending in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

SB 1935 extends Tennessee's homestead exemption - a property tax protection - to adult children (18+ years old) with developmental or intellectual disabilities when a head of household dies. Currently, the exemption covers surviving spouses and minor children; this bill adds eligible adult children who live in the home as their primary residence. The law uses existing definitions of "developmental disability" and "intellectual disability" from state code, and ensures that if property can't be protected as homestead, $35,000 in proceeds must be allocated to the adult child or spouse. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects families with disabled adult children facing potential loss of their home after a parent's death.

SB 1858 amends Tennessee law to extend the timeframe for the state legislature to fix redistricting plan defects from 15 to 90 calendar days after a court identifies issues. This change directly affects courts and the Tennessee General Assembly when addressing problems in legislative or congressional district maps. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-18-105(a) to require courts to provide the legislature with a 90-day window to correct redistricting flaws, rather than the previous 15-day period. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on adjusting the deadline for legislative action without altering redistricting standards or outcomes.

SB 1881 would make certain records held by Tennessee's Office of Homeland Security about critical infrastructure confidential, preventing public access through standard public records requests. Specifically, it exempts three types of records: security analyses and warnings for infrastructure systems (like power grids or water facilities), threat prevention and defense efforts, and any records designated by the agency as relating to critical infrastructure. This bill amends Tennessee's public records law (TCA Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5) to add these specific exemptions. The change directly affects the public's right to access this information and the Office of Homeland Security's disclosure obligations.