HB 359 increases penalties for driving without a valid driver's license in Tennessee. It upgrades a first offense from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor and makes a second or subsequent offense within 10 years a Class A misdemeanor. The bill directly affects drivers who operate vehicles without a valid license, with penalties applying to violations occurring on or after July 1, 2025. This change amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-50-301 and related provisions.
HB 1446 is a symbolic resolution, not a law with practical effects. It declares the Tennessee General Assembly's findings that Judea and Samaria (historically known as parts of the Land of Israel) are the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, citing biblical references and arguing that the term "West Bank" erases Jewish historical ties to the region. The bill makes no policy changes or legal obligations; it solely expresses the legislature's position through a series of historical and religious statements. This resolution directly affects no individuals or entities, as it serves only as a formal statement of opinion. It is a procedural, commemorative measure with no enforcement mechanism or impact on state or federal policy.
SB 2434 creates a new Class C misdemeanor offense for knowingly operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) over the grounds of a school in Tennessee. This law directly affects drone operators who fly near schools, making such intentional activity a punishable offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code to add this specific provision under criminal offenses, classifying it as a Class C misdemeanor (not a felony) and setting an effective date of July 1, 2026. It does not apply to general drone use but specifically targets flights over school property without authorization.
SB 2483 establishes staffing requirements for Tennessee's local veterans service offices. It creates two new roles: "county veterans service officers" (CVSOs, for veterans) and "county veterans service representatives" (CVSRs, for non-veterans), requiring each office to have at least one CVSO. The bill mandates that all CVSOs and CVSRs must obtain federal accreditation within six months of appointment, with removal if unaccredited, and sets minimum salary rates, hiring preferences for veterans (especially combat veterans), and state funding for training and staffing. These changes directly affect local governments operating veterans offices and their staff, ensuring standardized support for veterans accessing benefits.
SB 2285 requires public school principals in Tennessee to remove a student named as the "respondent" in an order of protection from any shared classroom or school activity with the student named as the "petitioner" (the protected party) during the order's validity. The bill mandates that schools provide alternative instruction for the removed student during this period. It applies only to public schools where both students are enrolled and covers all school-sponsored activities shared between them. The law does not require removal from the entire school, only from settings where the two students would interact, and takes effect for orders issued on or after its enactment date.
SB 2348 requires Tennessee’s state board of education to recognize an advanced degree in media and technology as qualifying for a library information specialist endorsement. It sets specific staffing rules for public high schools (grades 9-12): schools with 750-1,500 students must employ a full-time specialist, while smaller schools (under 750 students) must have a part-time specialist or designate a teacher as a library coordinator. If the library is open during school hours without a specialist, a teacher or staff member must supervise students. The bill, which amends Tennessee Code Titles 10 and 49, takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting high schools and library staffing requirements.
SB 2353 amends Tennessee law to clarify which property-related documents can be registered with county Registers of Deeds. It requires all agreements (like leases or contracts) and related documents (such as notices, affidavits, or abstracts) to include two specific items: (1) signatures authenticated per state law, and (2) a full expiration date (day, month, year). This change directly affects property owners, landlords, and legal professionals who register agreements involving real or personal property. The bill ensures registration records include clear expiration details, improving transparency for public records.
This bill prohibits Tennessee counties from electing county legislative body members in at-large districts (where a commissioner represents the entire county) after the 2030 federal census. It requires counties to redraw district boundaries so each commissioner represents a specific geographic area. Counties currently using at-large districts must amend their charters to comply by the 2030 redistricting cycle. The law directly affects all Tennessee counties with existing at-large election systems for county legislative bodies.
SB 2262 requires online platforms and businesses that "blacklist" small businesses (defined as entities with 50 or fewer full-time employees) to provide written notice within 24 hours of the action. The notice must explain the reason for the blacklist, detail how the small business can resolve it, and include contact information for a representative. Small businesses that don’t receive this notice can sue for actual damages, punitive damages, or attorney fees. The law applies to actions like removing a business from search results, reducing visibility, or deleting 25%+ of reviews. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2363 requires third-party hotel booking websites (like Expedia or Booking.com) to clearly disclose when additional fees apply for services such as parking, spa treatments, or breakfast, beyond the room cost. It directly affects consumers booking through these sites and hotels whose services are listed on them. The bill mandates that sites must state both that extra fees exist and which specific services require payment. Violations would be treated as consumer protection law violations under Tennessee’s 1977 Consumer Protection Act. The bill failed in committee on March 3, 2026, and is not yet law.
SB 2424 prohibits certain foreign-controlled entities (including foreign governments or entities they control) from acquiring or holding non-agricultural land in Tennessee after January 1, 2025. It requires existing foreign-controlled entities holding such land by that date to register detailed ownership information - including the foreign entity's nationality, business purpose, and ownership chain - with the Secretary of State within 60 days of the deadline. Violations carry fines up to $1,500 for illegal ownership or $2,000 per late registration. The bill directly affects foreign-controlled businesses or governments seeking to own or maintain non-agricultural land in Tennessee, with enforcement beginning July 1, 2026.
SB 2275 designates November 9 each year as "Gold Star Father's Day" in Tennessee to honor fathers who lost children while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill specifically recognizes these fathers' sacrifice without creating new legal benefits or changing existing laws, as it explicitly states this observance is "not a legal holiday." It aligns with similar designations adopted by Georgia and Mississippi, and follows the 2015 Gold Star Father's Act that ensured benefit parity for fathers. The bill directly affects fathers of fallen military members by adding a ceremonial day of recognition to Tennessee's calendar.
