Tennessee Bills

HB 2397 requires Tennessee local governments (such as cities, counties, and agencies) to invite honorably discharged veterans to interview for public sector jobs or promotions when they apply. If a veteran meets the minimum job requirements and their skills are equal to another candidate, they must be given hiring preference. The bill also mandates that all public job applications include an option for applicants to declare veteran status. Additionally, it extends certain preferences to spouses of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability or those who died in military service, while requiring local entities to document reasons for not selecting a veteran.

SB 2610 allows qualifying Tennessee municipalities (incorporated cities or towns without school systems) to impose a tax on development activity within their boundaries. The tax must follow the same rates and rules currently applied to counties for development privilege taxes. Proceeds from this tax must be used exclusively for transportation infrastructure projects like roads, streets, sidewalks, and trails within the municipality. Municipalities would need to adopt a local ordinance to implement the tax, and funds would be managed through designated municipal funds.

HB 1521, titled the "James Bardsley Life Protection Act," increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident without stopping. It raises the penalty for leaving an accident causing injury from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. For accidents where death occurs and the driver knew or should have known, the penalty increases from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-101 and 39-13-101, taking effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1851 designates the bog turtle (*Glyptemys muhlenbergii*) as Tennessee's second official state reptile, replacing the previous single designation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 4-1-321 to list both the eastern box turtle and the bog turtle as official state reptiles. This change affects state symbolism and public recognition, with no new regulations or funding. The bill focuses on raising awareness about the bog turtle, which is listed as federally threatened and faces severe habitat loss in Tennessee.

SB 1962 sets a maximum hardwater level of 180 mg/L (measured as calcium carbonate) for public water systems in Tennessee. It requires systems receiving state funds for major upgrades (costing $25,000+) after July 1, 2026, to comply with this standard upon completion. Systems not using state funds for such upgrades are exempt until they later qualify for state-funded projects. Temporary exemptions for seasonal runoff (like snowmelt) are allowed with documentation and a 90-day return-to-compliance deadline, but cannot exceed 120 days yearly without department approval. All affected systems must monitor and report hardwater levels as part of annual water quality reports.

HB 1657 removes a requirement that structures rebuilt on a site must comply with the zoning regulations in effect when the new construction begins. This change directly affects property owners and developers rebuilding structures on existing sites, particularly in areas where zoning rules have changed since the original construction. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 7, by deleting specific language from sections 13-7-208(d)(1) and removing subsection 13-7-208(i). The key provision allows rebuilt structures to follow the zoning rules that were in place when they were originally built, rather than current rules.

HB 1480 designates September 10 of each year as "Charlie Kirk Day" in Tennessee to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk, a Christian leader and founder of Turning Point, USA, who died in 2025. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, to add this day of special observance to the state's official calendar. This is a commemorative measure with no new policy requirements or financial obligations. It does not affect legislation or government operations but provides official recognition of a person's contributions.

HB 1890 requires Tennessee state agencies to disclose records and information to legislators upon written request, enabling them to check if state laws are being followed or if changes are needed. State entities must provide requested records after legislators submit detailed written inquiries and sign confidentiality agreements acknowledging penalties for unauthorized disclosure. All record reviews must occur on-site at the agency, with no copies taken. The bill directly affects state government departments and agencies by mandating this access process for legislative oversight.

HB 1873 requires Tennessee counties, cities, towns, and special taxing districts to hold a voter referendum before raising property taxes if the increase would cause total tax revenue to exceed inflation plus 2% in one year or inflation plus 6% over three years. Local governments must first secure a two-thirds vote from their governing body to call a referendum, which would be held at a regular November election, and then obtain majority voter approval for the tax hike. Exceptions include taxes for bond payments, state treasury actions, and utility rates. The law, effective July 1, 2026, aims to limit property tax increases without direct voter input.

HB 1698 requires executive branch employees (such as state agency staff or governors' liaisons) to swear under penalty of perjury when testifying before legislative committees or submitting documents for fiscal analysis. It mandates that employees provide sworn affidavits confirming the accuracy of written materials used to evaluate bills or create fiscal notes. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to legislative procedures (Titles 3, 4, 29, 39, and 40) to enforce these requirements. Violations, such as submitting false information under oath, could lead to perjury charges under existing law.

HB 1920 increases the monthly office expense allowance for Tennessee state legislators from $1,250 to $2,251, effective November 3, 2026. The bill requires future adjustments to this allowance each month based on changes in the consumer price index (inflation). This directly affects all members of the Tennessee General Assembly who receive this expense reimbursement for office-related costs. The change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Section 3-1-106(f)(1).

HB 1670 clarifies that property tax notifications about changes in property classification or value can be sent via email by assessors, effective when electronically sent. It directly affects property taxpayers who receive these notifications and assessors who issue them. The bill amends Tennessee law to allow email as a valid alternative to U.S. mail for these notifications, while maintaining mail as the default method. Previously, mail notifications were only effective when mailed; this change explicitly states email notifications are effective upon sending. The bill does not require email use but provides it as a permitted method.