Tennessee Bills

HB 2069 requires Tennessee local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) to get approval from the Attorney General and Reporter before signing contracts with private lawyers that pay based on case outcomes (contingent fees). Before approval, local governments must hold public meetings explaining why they need contingent fees (instead of hourly rates), why their own lawyers can't handle the case, and why this benefits residents. The Attorney General must review the contract within 90 days and can reject it only for specific reasons like conflicts with ongoing state cases or violations of attorney ethics rules. If approved, the contract can proceed; if not, the case may be dismissed in court.

HB 2064 changes Tennessee's firearm laws by repealing criminal penalties for carrying a firearm in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas. It modifies restrictions for people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or stalking, allowing firearm possession after five years from conviction (unless rights remain restricted). The bill also removes bans on carrying firearms in public recreational spaces and updates misdemeanor penalties for carrying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These changes directly affect individuals with certain past convictions and those who carry firearms in public recreational areas. The bill does not alter federal gun laws or create new restrictions.

HB 1465 changes Union County's building permit fee to $0.50 per square foot for all new construction, reconstruction, or erection of buildings. It directly affects builders and developers in Union County by establishing this flat fee structure, while exempting sheds and barns from charges. The bill repeals conflicting fee provisions in existing law and requires Union County's legislative body to approve the change by a two-thirds vote before it takes effect. If approved, the fee would apply to all qualifying construction projects within the county.

HB 2104 amends Tennessee law to require county mayors to provide at least three days' notice before convening a special session of their county legislative body for emergency purposes, increasing the current two-day requirement. This change directly affects county mayors and county legislative bodies by extending the advance notice period for emergency sessions. The bill modifies specific sections of Tennessee Code Annotated (Title 5 and Title 6) to implement this notice period adjustment. The law would take effect upon becoming law, with no further details on implementation or impact provided in the bill text.

SB 2137 requires Tennessee courts to sentence defendants as "repeat violent offenders" to life imprisonment if they have three or more prior violent convictions committed on or after July 1, 2026. It defines "violent offenses" to include crimes like aggravated rape, murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and certain child sexual abuse offenses, with at least two prior convictions needing to be from the most severe listed offenses. This law directly affects individuals convicted of new violent crimes who have prior violent felony convictions meeting the specified criteria. The bill amends Tennessee sentencing statutes to implement this mandatory life sentence requirement for qualifying repeat offenders.

HB 912 deletes an obsolete section of Tennessee law that required the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee to conduct a study on the economic feasibility of a statewide energy policy and submit a report to the energy task force by December 15, 2014. The bill removes this outdated requirement from the state code, as the study deadline has long passed and the provision is no longer applicable. This procedural change updates the legal framework without altering any active policy or creating new obligations.

This bill prohibits Tennessee health insurers from downcoding claims - adjusting them to lower-cost procedure codes that prevent healthcare providers from receiving payment for actual services rendered. It creates the Tennessee Commission of Insurance Review to handle complaints and enforce these rules, with seven members including health professionals and insurance industry experts. The law applies to all health benefit plans (excluding accident, disability, or limited coverage), requiring insurers to pay providers based on the actual services performed. These changes aim to ensure fair reimbursement for medical services while establishing oversight for insurance practices.

HB 2323 allows incorporated cities and towns without school systems (defined as "municipalities" in the bill) to impose a tax on development activity within their boundaries. The tax must follow the same rate, terms, and limitations already set for counties under Tennessee law (sections 67-4-2908 and 67-4-2909). All revenue collected must be used exclusively for capital improvements to transportation infrastructure like roads, streets, sidewalks, and trails within the municipality. This bill amends Tennessee Code Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 29, to authorize this local tax and its specific funding requirements.

SB 2126 requires Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury to collect and summarize de-identified data about real estate investment trusts (REITs) purchasing single-family homes in the state. Specifically, it mandates a report by December 31, 2026, detailing the number of homes bought (with appraised values), homes acquired through foreclosure, homes sold, and homes used as rentals by REITs that purchased 10 or more single-family homes in 2025. The report must be submitted to the governor, legislative leaders, and relevant committee chairs. This bill directly affects REITs operating in Tennessee that meet the purchase threshold, but it does not change housing laws or restrict REIT activity - it only establishes a data collection requirement.

SB 1694 extends the timeframe insurers must respond to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance's requests for information related to complaints. It changes the requirement from 30 calendar days to 30 business days across multiple insurance-related sections of Tennessee law (Titles 33, 39, 52, 56, 58, 68, and 71). This change directly affects insurance companies that receive complaints filed against them, giving them more time to gather and submit required information. The bill modifies existing procedural deadlines without altering insurance regulations or consumer protections. It is a procedural adjustment to response timelines, not a substantive policy change.

HB 852 extends the timeframe for handgun permit holders to challenge a suspension or revocation from 30 to 60 days. It directly affects individuals whose Tennessee handgun carry permits have been suspended or revoked by the Department of Safety, allowing them more time to petition a state court for review. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 39-17-1354 to change the deadline for filing such petitions. This is a procedural adjustment with no new requirements or restrictions on permits. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

HB 1248 extends the deadline for permit holders to notify the Tennessee Department of Safety of a new address from 60 to 90 days after changing their principal residence. This change applies to various permit holders covered under multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 4, 8, 10, 13, 16, 29, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 47, 49, 50, 52, 55, 58, 62, 65, 68, and 70). The bill directly affects individuals holding permits regulated by these sections who relocate. It requires no new requirements - only delays the existing notification deadline by 30 days. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.