Tennessee Bills

HB 5 would increase maximum compensation limits for injured plaintiffs in civil lawsuits in Tennessee. It raises the cap for standard noneconomic damages from $750,000 to $1.5 million and for catastrophic injuries from $1 million to $2 million under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 29-39-102. This change directly affects individuals who win civil cases involving personal injury or loss, providing higher potential awards for non-monetary harms like pain and suffering. The bill applies to lawsuits filed on or after July 1, 2025, if enacted.

HB 2439 establishes new rules for law enforcement use of oral-fluid testing in DUI cases. It requires officers to use only approved devices, document specific driving-related reasons for testing (not general suspicion), and complete quality checks before each use. The bill mandates that screening results cannot be used as evidence in court or for license suspension without a confirmatory lab test conducted by an accredited facility. It also requires agencies to preserve samples for independent retesting and disclose all relevant records to defendants. This bill directly affects police officers conducting DUI investigations, defendants in DUI cases, and laboratories performing confirmatory tests.

SB 2305 requires Tennessee's Department of Veterans Services to create and submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2027. The report must list all state and federal benefits available to veterans and their surviving spouses, including a summary of each benefit. This report will be sent to the Senate and House speakers. The bill directly affects veterans and their families by providing a clear, centralized resource on available benefits. It does not change existing benefits but mandates a formal inventory for legislative review.

HB 2232 allows eligible misdemeanor offenders in Tennessee to petition a court to seal their criminal records after completing all sentencing requirements and waiting five years without a new conviction. It excludes domestic assault and driving under the influence offenses from eligibility and requires a $500 fee to cover administrative costs. Sealed records remain accessible for specific purposes like firearm background checks, law enforcement hiring, and health registry checks. The bill amends Tennessee Code Titles 39 and 40 and takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 2212, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits Tennessee state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data from companies instead of obtaining a warrant when legally required to do so. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, with exceptions for emergency services, preventing imminent danger to individuals or the public, obtaining written consent, or complying with federal law. The law directly affects government entities handling sensitive data, ensuring they follow warrant procedures rather than bypassing them through data purchases. Key provisions clarify that "controller" (data companies) and "sensitive data" follow existing definitions in Tennessee law.

HB 2462 requires Tennessee governors, state legislators, and U.S. congressional representatives (and their spouses) to either sell or place certain investments - like stocks, commodities, or non-diversified funds - in a blind trust by October 1, 2026 (or within 90 days of taking office for new officials). It excludes diversified mutual funds, ETFs, treasury bonds, and retirement plan investments from this requirement. Officials must submit proof of compliance to the commissioner and secretary of state, with potential $1,000 daily fines for non-compliance. The bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by separating public officials’ personal finances from investments that could be influenced by their duties.

HB 2209, the "Federal Enforcement Accountability and Community Protection Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement to report federal enforcement actions causing death or serious injury (a "critical incident") to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) within 24 hours. It mandates the TBI to conduct independent reviews of such incidents, publish findings within 90 days, and report annually on state resource involvement. The law prohibits state/local agencies from providing non-emergency resources to federal agencies during these incidents until the review is complete. This directly affects Tennessee law enforcement agencies and federal agencies operating in the state, focusing on transparency and accountability for federal actions impacting residents.

SB 2235, the "Foreign Agent Registration Act," requires individuals or organizations acting as agents for foreign governments or entities designated as "foreign adversaries" by the U.S. Department of Commerce to register with Tennessee's Ethics Commission if they engage in political activities within the state. This includes efforts to influence state policies, support or oppose candidates for public office, or affect ballot measures. Registrants must provide detailed information about their business, political activities, financial arrangements, and update their registration within seven days of any changes. Violations can result in penalties of up to $500 per infraction.

SB 2234 creates two new laws: the "Critical Infrastructure Protection Act" and the "Protection of State Land from Foreign Adversaries Act." It requires state agencies to prohibit contracts with technology suppliers owned by foreign adversaries or using equipment on a federal "covered list," and to certify compliance via sworn statements. The bill also bans transfers of state-owned land to foreign adversaries or entities controlled by them, requiring prospective buyers to submit sworn affirmations. Exceptions exist only when no reasonable alternative exists for technology procurement, with written justification required. These provisions directly affect Tennessee state agencies, technology suppliers, and any entities seeking to lease or purchase state land.

SB 2380 allows individuals convicted of most misdemeanor offenses in Tennessee to petition a court to seal their criminal history records after completing all sentencing requirements (like paying fines or finishing probation) and going five years without a new conviction. This applies to offenses like theft or disorderly conduct but excludes domestic assault and driving under the influence (DUI). To seal records, petitioners must pay a $500 fee, and sealed records remain accessible for firearm background checks, health department registries for vulnerable adult abuse, and law enforcement officer qualifications. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and if a person with sealed records is convicted of a new offense (other than minor traffic), the seal is lifted.

HB 2414 deletes an obsolete statute requiring three state agencies - the administrative office of the courts, department of children's services, and commission on children and youth - to submit an annual juvenile justice data report by January 1, 2019. The bill removes this outdated requirement (TCA §37-1-185) as the reporting deadline has long passed. This procedural change affects no current policy or programs, as the statute was no longer applicable. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2492 prohibits Tennessee governmental entities and prison contractors from blocking certain officials from entering correctional facilities housing non-U.S. citizens (referred to as "aliens" in the bill) to conduct oversight. It specifically prevents restrictions on U.S. Congress members, their staff, and Tennessee state legislators or their staff visiting these facilities. The law also bans altering facility conditions during such visits to ensure unobstructed oversight. Exceptions apply during emergencies like riots, disease outbreaks, or active threats. This bill directly affects oversight access at facilities detaining immigrant detainees.