Tennessee Bills

Senate Resolution 101 honors Chara Rand, principal of Isaac Litton Middle School, for being named Metro Nashville Public Schools' 2024-2025 Principal of the Year and Middle School Principal of the Year. The resolution formally recognizes her leadership, dedication to academic excellence, and positive impact on students and staff. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses legislative appreciation. The bill passed unanimously (30-0) and was signed by the Senate Speaker on April 4, 2025.

SB 318, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants sourced from the People's Republic of China or performed there, effective January 1, 2026. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by or linked to "foreign adversaries" (defined as nations on U.S. sanctions lists), requiring replacement within 180 days. The bill restricts storage of genetic sequencing data to U.S. geographic locations and prohibits remote access from outside the U.S. without state health commissioner approval. These provisions directly affect health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.

SB 152 allows patients with severe chronic diseases or terminal illnesses to access investigational stem cell treatments (adult stem cell therapies still in clinical trials and not yet FDA-approved) after their doctors confirm other FDA-approved treatments aren't viable. It requires Tennessee’s health commissioner to create rules listing qualifying medical conditions and mandates doctors to document that all standard treatments were considered before recommending these experimental therapies. The bill also protects physicians from license penalties for following these guidelines and prohibits government interference with patient access. This directly affects patients with qualifying conditions and their treating physicians in Tennessee.

SB 141 creates a state grant program to fund sidewalk improvements around public schools. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will administer the program, providing competitive grants to local governments for designing, constructing, or repairing sidewalk infrastructure near schools. Local governments must match grant funds (either in cash or approved non-cash contributions), and the program is funded through state appropriations and donations. This directly affects school districts and local municipalities seeking to improve pedestrian safety for students.

SB 434 requires the Tennessee Department of Education to compile and submit an annual report by September 1 each year on the number of students who completed the early high school graduation program in the previous school year. The report must be sent to the Senate and House education committees that oversee K-12 schools. This bill adds a reporting requirement for the department but does not change the early graduation program itself. It is a procedural measure focused on tracking participation data for legislative review.

This resolution confirms Marsha Johnson's appointment to the Tennessee State Board of Education, where she will serve representing the Seventh Congressional District until March 31, 2029. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy but formally ratifies an appointment already made by the Senate Speaker. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate on March 17, 2025, following confirmation requirements under Tennessee law. It directly affects Marsha Johnson's eligibility to serve on the Board and the State Board of Education's composition.

This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 72), not a policy bill. It formally honors Peyton Woodard, a Roan Creek Elementary School student, for receiving the 2025 Good Neighbor Award from Delta Kappa Gamma's Gamma Mu chapter. The resolution recognizes her demonstrated compassion, responsibility, and community-minded behavior, which the award specifically celebrates. It has no policy impact or financial effect - its sole purpose is to publicly commend her character and achievements.

This ceremonial resolution (HR 71) honors Sofia Jenna-Lee Bodenhamer, a Roan Creek Elementary School student, for receiving the 2025 Good Neighbor Award from Delta Kappa Gamma's Gamma Mu chapter. It recognizes her volunteerism, compassion, and positive influence on peers as a role model for community citizenship. As a symbolic gesture with no policy changes, it does not affect laws or regulations and solely serves to publicly congratulate the student.

This is a ceremonial House Resolution (HR 70), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally honors Kitiana Jade Poteat, a Roan Creek Elementary School student, for receiving the 2025 Good Neighbor Award from Delta Kappa Gamma's Gamma Mu chapter. The resolution recognizes her demonstrated kindness, compassion, and leadership as a role model in her community. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses legislative support but does not create new laws or affect any policies.

This resolution (HR 68) is a ceremonial honor recognizing Jerry Lee Byrd of Unicoi, Tennessee, for being named the 2024 Master Logger of the Year by the Tennessee Forestry Association. It directly affects Jerry Byrd personally, acknowledging his 20+ years operating Jerry Lee Byrd Logging, LLC as a fifth-generation logger and community contributor. The resolution contains no new laws or funding provisions - it simply expresses the Tennessee House of Representatives' formal congratulations and best wishes. The resolution was unanimously adopted (91-0) on April 3, 2025, with no binding requirements or implementation mechanisms.

HB 1201 creates a temporary "foreign training license" for internationally licensed physicians in Tennessee who meet specific criteria. It directly affects physicians trained outside the U.S. but holding valid licenses in their home countries, requiring them to provide proof of an AMA-approved medical education, an ECFMG certificate, three years of postgraduate training (or seven years of practice), and current good standing in their home licensing country. The license is tied to a specific Tennessee healthcare employer, requiring applicants to have a job offer from that provider and restricting practice to that employer unless the board is notified of a change. After two years of active practice in Tennessee under this license, physicians may qualify for a full, unrestricted medical license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 1016 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to submit an annual early grades reading report by October 15 each year, covering the previous school year's reading data. The bill specifies that this report must be submitted to the Senate education committee and the House committee with jurisdiction over education. This changes the reporting deadline and clarifies which legislative committees receive the report, affecting how the state tracks early literacy progress.