HB 193 would exempt qualifying Tennessee National Guard members from paying state sales tax on the first $15,000 of a new vehicle purchase. The exemption applies to one vehicle per member every five years and requires proof of service and unit verification to claim. This change would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed, directly benefiting active Guard members purchasing vehicles in Tennessee. The bill modifies existing tax law to provide this limited tax break for military personnel.
HB 767 exempts from Tennessee business tax the sales of prescription drugs or medicines that exceed the Medicare Part D specialty tier cost threshold for 2025 plan years, as set by federal Medicare. It also exempts related services like preparation, storage, administration, patient education, and post-sale monitoring for these drugs. The bill directly affects pharmacies and healthcare providers selling high-cost prescription drugs that meet the Medicare threshold. This tax exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee tax code sections 67-4-708 and 67-4-712.
HB 1113 would require Tennessee public school students participating in athletic activities to submit either a physical exam form signed by a healthcare provider or a parent/guardian-signed exemption form (based on sincerely held beliefs). It creates a Safe Stars Advisory Committee composed of education and health officials to develop educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest symptoms, EKG testing options, and cardiac safety for students, parents, and coaches. The committee would create resources explaining warning signs (like fainting or chest pains) and the option for additional EKG testing at the student’s expense. These materials would be published online by the education and health departments.
HB 1027 extends the deadline for sheriffs to share applicant information with the Tennessee Department of Safety from 30 to 45 days when reviewing handgun carry permit applications. This change directly affects sheriffs, who must now provide details about an applicant's truthfulness within the longer timeframe, and the Department of Safety, which relies on this information for permit decisions. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to criminal justice procedures to implement this extension. The policy change focuses solely on adjusting the processing timeline without altering eligibility criteria or other permit requirements.
HB 7 creates a state grant program to help Tennessee colleges and universities address student hunger. It requires participating institutions (including public universities like the University of Tennessee and accredited private schools) to establish a student-inclusive hunger task force, operate or partner with a campus food pantry, and use grant funds for meal programs or pantry support. Institutions receiving grants must also report annually on their efforts to reduce food insecurity and share data about student needs. The program, administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, depends on future legislative funding appropriations.
HB 88 increases the annual requirement for Tennessee public schools and charter schools to provide teachers with funds for classroom supplies, raising the amount from $200 to $500 per K-12 teacher. This change directly affects all local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools by mandating a higher per-teacher supply allowance. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 49-3-359 to reflect this funding increase but clarifies that no funds will be spent unless specifically allocated in the state budget. The policy change would take effect on July 1, 2025, pending legislative appropriation.
HB 505 converts Tennessee's temporary school safety alert grant pilot program into a statewide two-year program, effective July 2025. It removes the previous limit on the number of grants awarded annually, allowing all eligible schools to apply on a first-come, first-served basis without geographic restrictions. Schools - including public, charter, private, and church-related institutions - can receive grants of up to $8,000 per school per fiscal year to purchase approved mobile panic alert systems. The program ends on July 1, 2027, and requires annual reports on fund usage from the Department of Education.
HB 686 creates the "African American Cultural and Historical Grant Fund" within Tennessee's state general fund to support capital projects at facilities highlighting African American contributions, culture, or history. The Tennessee Historical Commission will administer the fund, using state appropriations, gifts, or grants to award competitive grants for new facilities, renovations in culturally significant areas, or restoration of nationally registered historic sites. Priority is given to projects enhancing facilities named after notable African Americans or improving aesthetic value at such sites. Funds may not revert to the general fund annually and require annual reports to legislative committees. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet been enacted.
HB 372, the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," aligns TennCare’s reimbursement rates for key healthcare services - obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment - with either the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates in Tennessee, whichever is higher. This change directly affects healthcare providers who serve Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by ensuring providers receive fairer compensation. The bill requires annual reviews to update rates based on Medicare or commercial benchmarks and mandates new annual reports on fiscal impacts and access improvements. It does not automatically appropriate funds but requires future budget allocations to cover implementation costs.
HB 592 expands eligibility for compensation to individuals wrongfully imprisoned whose sentences were vacated due to actual innocence (not just exoneration), including those with dismissed charges under specific statutes. It allows people wrongfully imprisoned before the law's enactment to file claims within one year of the bill's effective date. Surviving spouses and children can now file claims on behalf of a deceased wrongfully imprisoned person, with payments distributed to surviving family members as specified. The bill amends Tennessee Code § 9-8-108 to clarify these provisions and ensure access to compensation for affected individuals and their families.
HB 226, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) bill, would create a 3% weighted funding allocation for students attending school districts with 1,001-1,250 students. This change directly affects small Tennessee school districts within that specific enrollment range by increasing per-student state funding. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to establish this new funding category. It would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.
SB 2629 would exempt active-duty military service members who are Tennessee residents but stationed out-of-state from paying sales and use tax when purchasing a motor vehicle in Tennessee. This applies specifically to service members living in Tennessee but serving at bases outside the state under their branch’s orders. The bill amends Tennessee’s tax code to remove this tax requirement for qualifying military personnel. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
