Tennessee Bills

SB 2589 reconstitutes Tennessee's Arts Commission by replacing its current structure with a new 15-member board. It changes how members are appointed: the governor selects one member from each of Tennessee's nine congressional districts, while the Senate and House speakers each appoint one member from each of the state's three regions (East, Middle, and West). Initial appointments have staggered terms (three, four, or five years) to spread out expiration dates, with future appointments set to five years. Commission members receive no salary but are reimbursed for travel expenses under standard state regulations. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2320 allows Tennessee candidates and elected officials to spend up to $12,000 annually from campaign funds for home security at their personal residence. This spending must be reported as "residential security" with required documentation, and audit information related to these expenses is kept confidential. The bill explicitly states these expenditures are not considered personal use of campaign funds under Tennessee law. It directly affects state-level officeholders seeking to cover home security costs through campaign budgets.

HB 2647 modifies governance rules for the Town of Jonesborough. It allows the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to elect a mayor from among the aldermen to fill vacancies, replaces the requirement for the Town Recorder to be bonded with an option to carry liability insurance, and updates election schedules to align with Washington County general elections held in August. The bill specifies mayoral terms will be two years with elections in August, while alderman terms will be four years with elections every four years. It also clarifies that no person can hold both mayor and alderman positions simultaneously, requiring aldermen who want to run for mayor to resign their current position first. This bill requires approval by a two-thirds vote of Jonesborough's legislative body to take effect.

SB 2528 expands the Ocoee River recreation and economic development fund's allowed uses to include tourism promotion, infrastructure upgrades, and other board-approved expenses. It replaces the park manager position on the fund's board with the director of the division of state parks, effective July 1, 2026. The bill also reduces the maximum number of commercial permits for river operations from 24 to 12 after July 1, 2026, and restricts permit transfers to immediate family or business purchasers only. These changes directly affect commercial operators, local tourism efforts, and the governance of the Ocoee River management zone.

SB 1793 requires Tennessee's Department of General Services and Department of Environment and Conservation to submit annual reports on their recycling activities to the state legislature by December 31 each year. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 68) to establish this reporting requirement for these two state departments. It does not change recycling practices or set new environmental standards, only mandating annual transparency on existing recycling efforts. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on reporting obligations, with no new policy changes for the public or businesses.

SB 2061 requires Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to study how state funds from lawsuits and fines - including civil penalties recovered under the Protecting Children from Social Media Act - are used to support children's online safety and mental health programs. The study must be completed by January 2027 and reported to the legislature, detailing how these funds are allocated. It does not change existing laws or funding but directs state agencies to document current funding sources. This procedural bill affects state departments coordinating with the Attorney General's office.

SB 2136 classifies illegal online gambling operations - particularly those disguised as free social games using virtual currency - as violations of Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act. It specifically targets "online sweepstakes games" that mimic casino-style gambling (like slot machines or sports betting) by allowing players to buy virtual currency for real-world prizes, which the bill defines as unlawful. The bill expands the attorney general's authority to investigate these operations and grants the sports wagering council broader powers to combat illegal gambling. It also creates penalties under the Consumer Protection Act for operators who facilitate such activities, while exempting legally permitted gaming like the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act.

Tennessee's SB 1667 increases penalties for drivers without auto insurance. It raises the first-time coverage failure fee from $25 to $500 and imposes a $1,500 fee for a second or subsequent failure within three years, requiring registration suspension or revocation. The bill also bars uninsured drivers from claiming non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) in lawsuits arising from vehicle use. Fees collected are distributed to county clerks, the Department of Safety, and a dedicated uninsured motorist fund.

SB 2040, the "FAIR Rx Act," prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning, controlling, or having any financial interest in pharmacies in Tennessee after January 1, 2027. It requires pharmacies to disclose all owners with 5% or more stake and prevents PBMs from using contracts (like management or revenue-sharing agreements) to exert operational control over pharmacies. The bill directly affects PBMs, pharmacies (especially rural and community ones), and aims to prevent conflicts of interest that could restrict patient choice, increase costs, or undermine pharmacist independence. By separating financial control from patient care decisions, it seeks to improve transparency and affordability in prescription drug access.

SB 1772 allows the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee and local law enforcement agencies to create written agreements enabling sworn officers to enforce traffic laws on designated private roads within the West Tennessee Megasite. These agreements require property owners to install standard traffic signs and markings, post clear notices about enforcement, and describe the roads precisely. The bill clarifies that enforcing traffic laws on these roads does not make them public highways, transfer ownership, or change maintenance responsibilities. It directly affects the Megasite Authority, local police departments, and property owners managing private roads within the designated megasite area.

SB 1900 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in Tennessee by upgrading the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. This change mandates a $10,000 fine and a 60-day minimum jail sentence for assaulting police officers or other first responders, compared to the current $5,000 fine and 30-day minimum for assaulting nurses. The bill specifically amends Tennessee law to impose these stricter penalties for assaults on law enforcement, while keeping existing misdemeanor penalties for assaults on nurses. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers or first responders.

SB 1747 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for recklessly firing a firearm into the air, ground, water, or nearby objects at public events with 25 or more people present. It directly affects individuals who engage in such reckless discharges in crowded public settings, such as concerts or festivals. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers acting in duty, wildlife officers, licensed hunters during open seasons, and defensive use against animal attacks. The law, effective July 1, 2026, aims to address public safety risks from negligent firearm discharge in crowded areas.