Tennessee Bills

SB 2453 extends two key deadlines for counties bordering distressed rural counties related to commercial development district tax retention. It moves the deadline for counties to apply to retain sales tax from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2040, and extends the commissioner’s approval deadline from June 30, 2031, to June 30, 2041. These changes apply specifically to counties seeking to retain tax revenue generated from commercial developments within designated districts. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 6, to provide longer timelines for these administrative processes.

SB 2407 helps education students in Tennessee complete teaching credential requirements. It allows individuals who have started but not finished their required clinical practice hours to receive a temporary teaching permit if they meet other criteria. The bill lets these students combine their pre-permit clinical hours with teaching time under the temporary permit to fulfill their full clinical practice requirement. This change directly affects education preparation program candidates seeking teaching credentials in Tennessee.

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 2592 modifies Tennessee state law to require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to annually compare utility rates (telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater) between Tennessee and neighboring southeastern states, then submit this report to the General Assembly. The bill specifically adds electronic submission as an option for the PUC’s report, updating existing requirements under Tennessee Code Annotated. This procedural change directly affects the PUC (which must prepare the report) and the General Assembly (which receives it), without altering utility rate policies or consumer obligations. The bill does not create new rate standards but streamlines how the PUC shares comparative data with lawmakers.

HB 2381 requires public utilities to submit written requests to the Tennessee Public Utility Commission when seeking cost recovery for innovative natural gas infrastructure projects. This technical amendment updates existing law (TCA §65-5-114(c)) to replace previous allowances for oral requests with a written submission requirement. The bill directly affects utilities seeking to recover infrastructure costs through the Commission. It does not change cost recovery eligibility or rates, only the method for submitting requests.

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.

HB 2425 expands the Ocoee River recreation fund's eligible uses to include tourism promotion and economic development activities, such as funding community events and supporting nonprofit organizations. It replaces the park manager on the fund board with the director of the division of state parks and imposes new limits on commercial permits: capping permits at 24 (reducing to 12 after July 2026) and restricting future permits to business buyers or immediate family members. These changes directly affect the fund board, commercial operators on the Ocoee River, and state park management. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1966 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to create a statewide, county-level quality assurance program by July 2027. The program must measure outcomes like child safety, permanency, and well-being - not just compliance - with each county needing a dedicated quality assurance coordinator. The commissioner must publish annual county performance grades online and submit quarterly progress reports to lawmakers starting in 2026. This directly affects county child welfare offices and the state department by shifting focus from procedural checks to data-driven service improvements.

HB 1802 amends Tennessee law to lower the standard for using deadly force when protecting property. It allows individuals to use deadly force against others committing trespass, arson, property damage (including livestock), burglary, theft, robbery, or animal cruelty if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary and non-deadly force would risk death or serious injury to themselves or others. The bill explicitly prohibits using deadly force against someone facing away from the defender. This directly affects property owners and residents defending their homes or belongings against certain criminal acts. The law changes existing self-defense protections by expanding the circumstances where deadly force is permitted for property protection.

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.

HB 1959, the "FAIR Rx Act," prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning, controlling, or having any financial interest in pharmacies after January 1, 2027. It directly affects PBMs and pharmacies by banning arrangements like management contracts, revenue-sharing, or exclusive agreements that transfer operational control to PBMs. The bill requires pharmacies to disclose owners with 5%+ stakes and restricts limited-use pharmacy licenses from being sold to PBMs. These provisions aim to prevent conflicts of interest that could limit patient choice, increase costs, or undermine pharmacist independence in medication care.