SB 1291 expands tuition assistance under Tennessee's STRONG Act for National Guard members by covering additional fees beyond tuition, including parking, technology, and library fees for both undergraduate and master's degree programs. It increases the maximum credit hour limit for eligibility from 120 to 130 hours, shortens the application deadline for reimbursement from 90 to 45 days after course completion, and adds a new ineligibility rule for members suspended from federal tuition aid. The bill directly affects Tennessee National Guard members pursuing higher education at public institutions. These changes streamline financial aid access while clarifying covered costs and eligibility requirements.
SB 228, the "LESTER Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement to accept digital copies of vehicle registration as valid proof of registration, directly affecting drivers who use digital registration and police officers during traffic stops. It amends Tennessee law to clarify that displaying a digital registration does not grant officers permission to access other contents of a driver's electronic device. The bill also updates terminology from "motor-propelled vehicle" to "motor vehicle" in relevant sections. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 741 criminalizes possessing, distributing, or producing digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity (real or simulated, if patently offensive). It classifies violations as Class E (possession), Class C (distribution), or Class B (production) felonies. Courts must consider specific factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material, advertising, and legitimate uses when determining intent. The law, effective July 1, 2025, directly affects individuals who handle such technology, not minors or general users.
SB 1434 repeals the law establishing the Tennessee Technology Corridor Development Authority (created under Chapter 148 of the Private Acts of 1983). This repeal only takes effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of Knox County’s legislative body. Without Knox County’s approval, the repeal does not become effective, making local consent a mandatory condition for implementation.
SB 529 amends Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act to expand the definition of deceptive practices to include "unfair" practices. It adds new prohibitions against advertising or selling radar jamming devices and requires specific font and placement for disclosures about free government services. The bill also clarifies that certain violations now constitute violations of the Consumer Protection Act and modifies discovery procedures for Attorney General enforcement actions. These changes directly affect businesses selling consumer products, particularly radar-related technology, and entities offering services that could be provided for free by government.
HB 1316 prohibits the use of digital driver licenses or digital photo IDs for voter identification purposes in Tennessee. The bill amends state law to require physical driver licenses for voting verification, while regulating data handling for digital license systems: it bans geolocation tracking, limits data retention to three days, and restricts biometric data collection (like facial scans) to only verifying identity against a physical license photo. These provisions directly affect Tennessee residents using digital driver licenses for non-voting purposes. The law, effective April 24, 2025, also mandates explicit user consent for biometric data and prohibits selling or sharing such data beyond law enforcement needs.
HB 138 establishes a $5 million annual special fund to provide grants to Tennessee local school districts and public charter schools. The fund supports acquiring or expanding digital career and technical education programs that include multimedia lessons, interactive activities, and assessments. Schools must apply through the state education department, which will prioritize applications based on demonstrated need, student impact, and alignment with workforce goals. Unspent funds carry forward annually rather than reverting to the general budget, and the bill requires separate annual appropriations for funding.
SB 556 prohibits Tennessee's Public Utility Commission from regulating the entry, rates, terms, or conditions of broadband internet access services or interconnected VoIP services, or treating providers of these services as carriers. It directly affects broadband and VoIP providers by removing state regulatory oversight and the Public Utility Commission by restricting its authority over these services. The bill preserves general consumer protection and fair competition laws while exempting existing tariffed services from 2006. It does not affect federal law, 911 fees, or universal service assessments.
HB 932 requires Tennessee public schools to create policies banning student use of phones, tablets, and other wireless devices during class time, except for specific educational purposes, health emergencies, or when required by a student's special education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. The policy must allow teachers to permit device use for learning, let students access devices in emergencies, and ensure parents can be contacted during crises. Schools must publish these policies online and may temporarily withhold devices from students who violate the rules. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all public schools and charter schools in the state.
SB 318, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants sourced from the People's Republic of China or performed there, effective January 1, 2026. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by or linked to "foreign adversaries" (defined as nations on U.S. sanctions lists), requiring replacement within 180 days. The bill restricts storage of genetic sequencing data to U.S. geographic locations and prohibits remote access from outside the U.S. without state health commissioner approval. These provisions directly affect health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.
