SB 1725 creates a Class C misdemeanor offense for recreational boaters who secure their vessels for more than 14 consecutive days at any location along a reservoir's water's edge or within one mile of it. The law also prohibits establishing temporary moorage in federal-managed navigation channels or blocking access to reservoir areas. It directly affects owners of noncommercial pleasure boats using Tennessee reservoirs managed by federal agencies. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties, with an exception for vessels with federally issued permanent mooring permits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 1732 designates May 1 of each year as "Law Day" in Tennessee, honoring the rule of law as foundational to the state's political system. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2, to formally add this observance to the state's calendar of special days. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents by establishing an annual day of recognition for legal principles, without creating new laws or changing existing policies. This is a ceremonial designation, aligning Tennessee with the federal observance of Law Day.
SB 2041 creates a civil lawsuit for individuals whose intimate images (such as photos or videos of private areas or sexual activity) are shared without consent. Victims can sue for monetary damages - including up to $150,000, actual harm like emotional distress, or the defendant's profits - and seek court orders to stop the sharing or protect their identity using a pseudonym. The law defines "intimate image" and clarifies that consent for creating the image doesn't cover sharing it, requiring written agreements for valid consent. It includes exceptions for law enforcement reporting and good-faith sharing to assist the victim, while shielding internet companies from liability for proactively restricting such content.
SB 1761 amends Tennessee law to extend the required retention period for hemp regulatory records from five to ten years. The bill directly affects the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which must now maintain all records it creates or receives related to hemp regulation for the longer period. This change modifies Section 43-27-102(c) of the Tennessee Code, specifically updating the record retention timeframe without altering hemp cultivation or licensing rules. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on administrative record-keeping requirements.
SB 1803 directs Tennessee's Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance to study how neighboring states are using new insurance models to cover substance use treatment. The commissioner must use existing resources to examine these approaches and compile findings into a report by December 31, 2026. The report will include any recommendations for potential changes to Tennessee's insurance coverage policies. This bill does not create new laws or funding - it only requires a study and report to inform future legislative decisions.
SB 1860 establishes the "Tennessee Agricultural Fair and Livestock Show Act" to provide state funding for agricultural fairs and livestock shows across Tennessee. The bill authorizes the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to distribute state funds for cash awards (premiums) at these events for specific exhibits, including livestock, farm products, youth programs like 4-H, and educational displays. It also creates a merit award program that gives additional funding to top-performing fairs based on criteria such as exhibit quality, community participation, and grounds maintenance. This law directly supports fair organizers, promotes agricultural education, and aims to strengthen Tennessee's agricultural tourism and youth development efforts.
SB 1828 requires public schools and colleges in Tennessee to include instruction on the "positive impacts of religion on American history" when teaching American history. It specifically allows teachers to cover 19 historical examples, such as the Pilgrims' religious practices, religious references in the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's views on religion, and the role of religious leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. The bill states this teaching is consistent with the First Amendment and aims to provide an "accurate historical account" of religion's influence. It applies to all public school teachers, administrators, and higher education instructors in Tennessee, though it does not mandate specific content - only that these topics may be included. The bill claims this approach reduces "ignorance of American history, hate, and violence."
SB 2069, the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act," allows emergency medical personnel (like ambulance crews) to provide immediate care and transport to injured police, military, or search-and-rescue dogs ("canine first responders") that are working under authorized officers. The bill requires specific training for EMS staff and establishes licensed veterinarians as "emergency veterinary medicine service directors" to oversee care. It grants legal immunity to EMS personnel acting in good faith to treat or transport these dogs, provided no human patient requires urgent transport at the time. This law directly affects K-9 units and EMS providers by creating a formal pathway for canine emergency care within existing emergency response protocols.
SB 1515 extends the legal existence of Tennessee's Department of Education by delaying its automatic termination date to June 30, 2030. This procedural bill updates references to the department in Tennessee law (specifically amending TCA Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-251) to reflect the extended sunset date. It directly affects the Department of Education by ensuring its continued operation without requiring new legislation to maintain its authority through 2030. The bill makes no changes to education policies or funding, only adjusting the legal sunset provision.
SB 2047 changes Tennessee's school accountability process by shifting responsibility for selecting interventions for "priority schools" in tier three of the progressive tiered intervention system from the Department of Education to the State Board of Education. Under this bill, the Department must recommend intervention options to the State Board, which then selects and notifies the school of the chosen intervention. This directly affects Tennessee public schools identified as needing the highest level of support under the state's accountability system. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027, altering the current process where the Department made the final selection.
SB 1517 extends the operation of Tennessee's Department of Human Services until June 30, 2030, by amending state code to remove an automatic expiration date. The bill directly affects the Department of Human Services, which administers programs like Medicaid, food assistance, and child welfare services. Key provisions include deleting an existing expiration reference and adding a new definition confirming the department's structure under state law. This is a procedural extension to ensure continuity of essential social services without altering program rules or funding. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (33-0) and is now pending in the House.
SB 1887 requires Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development to annually confirm which nonprofit or tax-exempt public agencies serve as regional tourism organizations for each of the state's nine development districts. It mandates that these organizations must get department approval for their marketing plans before receiving state matching funds (with a $2 state dollar for every $1 from the organization, minimum $35,000). The bill also establishes clear definitions for tourism terms like "destination marketing organization" and "tourism event" to guide implementation. This directly affects regional tourism groups seeking state funding and the Department of Tourist Development, which gains oversight authority over fund distribution and marketing strategies.
