Tennessee Bills

HB 2542 amends Tennessee's unemployment law (TCA § 50-7-303) by removing a requirement that claimants' gross weekly wages from new work must equal or exceed specific percentages of their highest-earning quarter during their base period. This change directly affects unemployed workers seeking benefits who accept new jobs, as it eliminates a wage threshold that previously determined if work was "suitable" for unemployment purposes. The bill deletes specific subsections (i)-(iv) and the percentage thresholds from the existing law, simplifying the criteria for determining suitable work. The policy change aims to make it easier for claimants to accept available jobs without meeting strict wage comparisons. The bill is currently pending in the Commerce Committee as of March 2026.

SB 2149, the "HOPE Treatment Act," creates a framework for Tennessee to fund clinical trials using ibogaine - a compound being studied for treating mental health and substance use disorders - to accelerate research into its medical potential. It allows groups of organizations (including drug developers, universities, and hospitals) to form a "cohort" and apply for state funding to conduct FDA-approved trials for conditions like opioid addiction, PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury. The bill requires detailed proposals covering trial design, safety protocols, participant recruitment, and aftercare plans before funding is granted. This initiative aims to advance research on ibogaine within Tennessee, aligning with broader state and federal interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies.

SB 2318 changes Tennessee law to allow private postsecondary institutions (including religiously affiliated colleges) to establish public charter schools. It removes current restrictions that prevented such institutions from becoming charter school sponsors and permits them to apply directly to local school boards or the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. The bill also allows these institutions to give enrollment preference to children of their employees or governing body members, similar to how public universities handle such preferences. This policy directly affects private colleges seeking to operate public charter schools and their employees' families.

HB 2446 removes two specific restrictions on grants for Tennessee's volunteer fire departments. It eliminates the requirement that annual grant funds must be equally divided among the state's three grand divisions (East, Middle, West) and removes the ban on using grant money to purchase fire trucks or vehicles. This change gives local fire departments more flexibility in how they allocate funds and use them for equipment. The bill directly affects volunteer fire departments receiving state grants under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68. The changes apply to grants awarded after June 30, 2026.

HB 2640 repeals all historical legislation (from 1949 to 2023) governing Hamblen County's Highway Department and abolishes the Hamblen County Road Commission effective August 31, 2028. It replaces the commission with an elected Road Superintendent position, to be chosen by county voters every four years starting in 2028, who will manage road maintenance and construction under state highway law. The bill requires a two-thirds vote of Hamblen County's legislative body for approval before implementation. This change directly affects county road governance, ending the commission's structure while creating a new elected role for road management.

HB 2642 creates an elected position for Hamblen County Attorney, replacing the previous appointment system. The county commission will now annually elect the attorney at its September meeting. The bill sets a $1,200 annual base salary (paid monthly) and allows additional reasonable compensation for legal services performed for the county, subject to county financial policies. It requires a two-thirds vote approval from Hamblen County's legislative body to take effect. This bill directly affects Hamblen County's governance structure and its county attorney's compensation.

SB 2404 deletes an ended 2023-2024 pilot program that provided grant funds to five local school districts for preschool initiatives, and removes a Tennessee preschool task force created to develop a strategic plan by June 2024. The bill amends state education laws (Tennessee Code Sections 49-6-109 and related titles) to eliminate these outdated structures. It directly affects the five school districts that previously participated in the pilot program and the task force members. The bill makes no new policy changes but formally removes existing, expired provisions from state law.

SB 2221 modifies TennCare ambulance assessment rules by extending the annual payment deadline for ground ambulance services from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027. It also changes the late payment penalty from $50 per calendar day to 5% of the unpaid balance per month. This directly affects ambulance providers enrolled in Tennessee's TennCare program who owe annual assessments. The bill replaces a fixed daily fee with a monthly interest-based penalty for overdue payments.

HB 2502 classifies international money transfers originating in Tennessee (sent outside the U.S. or its territories) as taxable services for licensed money transmission companies. It requires tax revenues from these transactions to be allocated as follows: 25% to the state general fund, 25% to counties for infrastructure projects based on population, 25% to a new K-12 teacher salary fund, and 25% to a law enforcement training pay supplement. The bill establishes a dedicated "international money transmission tax fund" to manage these revenues, with refunds available for taxpayers who apply between June 1-30 annually. This policy directly affects money transmission businesses operating under Tennessee's Money Transmission Modernization Act.

HB 2643 restructures Winchester’s utility governance by creating a Board of Public Utilities with five members (including the Mayor as a standing member during their term). It establishes four-year terms for appointed members with rotating expirations, requires City Council approval for appointments and budget decisions, and mandates that utility rates and service charges be reviewed by both the Board and City Council. The bill specifies that utility revenues must cover operational costs, debt payments, system improvements, and a tax-equivalent payment to the city’s general fund, while prohibiting free utility services for city departments. This directly affects Winchester’s local government operations, utility rate-setting, and budget processes for water, wastewater, and electricity systems. The bill requires two-thirds approval from Winchester’s City Council to take effect.

HB 2510 extends deadlines for counties bordering distressed rural counties to retain sales tax from commercial development projects. Specifically, it pushes back the application deadline from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2040, and delays the commissioner's approval deadline from June 30, 2031, to June 30, 2041. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 6, affecting local governments seeking to maintain tax revenue from designated commercial districts. These changes provide additional time for eligible counties to secure tax retention under existing law.

SB 2407 helps education students in Tennessee complete teaching credential requirements. It allows individuals who have started but not finished their required clinical practice hours to receive a temporary teaching permit if they meet other criteria. The bill lets these students combine their pre-permit clinical hours with teaching time under the temporary permit to fulfill their full clinical practice requirement. This change directly affects education preparation program candidates seeking teaching credentials in Tennessee.