HB 773 requires that websites publishing legal notices for public viewing (such as court filings or government announcements) cannot charge fees or require subscriptions for access. This applies directly to online platforms, including newspapers, that post such notices under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3, to add a specific requirement that these websites must be freely accessible to all residents. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring public access to legal notices without financial barriers.
HB 858 requires Tennessee's insurance commissioner to study how easily patients and doctors can request exceptions to step therapy rules online. The study will assess whether insurers' processes are accessible without unnecessary barriers for those seeking coverage for cancer treatments. The commissioner must submit findings and recommendations by December 2025. This bill affects insurers and healthcare providers who handle step therapy requests but does not change current coverage requirements. It becomes effective January 1, 2026.
SB 102 extends the operating authority of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation (TTDC) until June 30, 2027, preventing its automatic termination. This bill directly affects the TTDC, which supports technology-related economic development in Tennessee. The legislation makes technical corrections to Tennessee Code (Title 4, Chapters 14 and 29) by removing outdated references and clarifying the corporation's legal status. The change ensures the TTDC can continue its existing programs without interruption.
SB 1346, the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," creates a civil legal remedy for individuals whose intimate digital images or videos (including deepfakes) are shared without consent. It directly affects people who have had non-consensual intimate depictions - such as images showing genitals, sexual fluids, or explicit acts - disclosed online or otherwise. The law allows victims to sue for $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual damages, or punitive damages, and seek court orders to stop further disclosure. It defines key terms like "deepfakes" and clarifies that consent for creating the image does not cover its sharing, while allowing exceptions for law enforcement or good-faith disclosures. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 925 extends Tennessee's sales and use tax exemption for broadband equipment and infrastructure from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects businesses that provide broadband services or internet access by allowing them to continue purchasing and leasing qualifying equipment without paying state sales tax. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-6-391 to update the exemption's end date and revises the section's title to "Tennessee broadband equipment and services exemption." The law took effect on May 9, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
SB 890 requires Tennessee health insurance companies to create two digital systems: one allowing healthcare providers to access patient electronic health records and another for processing prior authorization requests (like insurance approvals for treatments). It also shortens the timeline for certain health insurance actions by changing the requirement from 10 working days to 10 calendar days. This law directly affects health insurance entities, healthcare providers, and patients by improving access to medical records and streamlining authorization processes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 390 allows Tennessee's comptroller of the treasury to publish certain survey data that was previously confidential, specifically aggregate survey results and individual responses that cannot identify participants. This affects the comptroller's office, which can now share anonymized survey information with the public, while still protecting identifiable details. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly permit this publication for surveys created, obtained, or compiled by the comptroller, excluding surveys from the office of open records counsel. It does not change how confidential data is handled for other state agencies. The policy change increases transparency around public surveys without revealing personal information.
SB 626 amends Tennessee's election laws to require county election commissions to publish locations of provisional counting boards and prohibit tabulating marked ballots submitted online. It also bans voting machines from connecting to the internet, directly affecting how counties manage ballot processing and voting technology. The bill makes these specific procedural changes to election administration without altering voter eligibility or ballot access. Signed by the governor on May 5, 2025, it became effective May 13, 2025.
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.
