Tennessee Senate Bills

Education, Curriculum - As introduced, requires local education agencies and public charter schools to provide age-appropriate instruction to students on how to access, utilize, and critically evaluate various artificial intelligence tools within the curriculum taught by the educator; requires the department of education to issue guidance on how to implement the required instruction; requires the department to provide a professional development program in artificial intelligence education for educators, subject to available funding. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Driver Licenses - As introduced, requires an enforcement officer to issue an out-of-service order to a driver issued a commercial driver license if the officer determines during a safety inspection that the driver is unable to read and speak the English language in violation of federal requirements for commercial driver license holders; applies penalties against employers of such drivers. - Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15.

Aircraft and Airports - As introduced, prohibits public airports that provide commercial services from entering into an agreement that authorizes a private third-party vendor that provides expedited security screening to use the standard security lane or the transportation security administration PreCheck security lane; exempts an agreement between a public airport and a private third-party vendor if the private third-party vendor has obtained dedicated transportation security administration security lanes solely for use by the private third-party vendor at that public airport. - Amends TCA Title 42.

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires school board members to be elected at the same election beginning in 2028. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Water Pollution - As introduced, removes requirement that installers of subsurface sewage disposal systems pay a renewal fee as a condition to renewing a septic system installer license; maintains initial permit and fee requirement for such installers. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221.

Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, designates certain portions of the Duck River and certain portions of various creeks as Class II pastoral river areas. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 13.

Aircraft and Airports - As introduced, establishes a process for renaming an international airport governed by a metropolitan airport authority to Trump International Airport. - Amends TCA Title 42, Chapter 3; Title 42, Chapter 4 and Title 55.

Taxes - As introduced, requires TennCare to certify an eligible healthcare provider's unreimbursed costs in a calendar year as charitable contributions made exclusively for public purposes to TennCare; requires eligible healthcare providers to pay TennCare $25 annually to receive such certification. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4.

Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, creates the commercial development board; with respect to new commercial property developed by private entities in certain taxing jurisdictions, authorizes the private entities to enter into agreements for payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes and leases with the commercial development board. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 9; Title 13; Title 48 and Title 67.

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, authorizes the department of safety to publish biannually, instead of annually, statistical information regarding the number, cause, and location of highway accidents based on its analysis of accident reports that it receives. - Amends TCA Title 54; Title 55; Title 65 and Title 67.

Traffic Safety - As introduced, removes the prohibition on a person physically holding or supporting, with any part of the person's body, a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a road or highway other than in a marked school zone or work zone; retains restrictions on activities such as texting on, reaching for, or watching or recording a video on such device while operating a motor vehicle on a road or highway. - Amends TCA Section 55-8-199.

Driver Licenses - As introduced, requires all written driver license examinations to be administered in English only; prohibits the use of a translation dictionary, electronic device, or interpreter to assist a person taking the examination. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3.

Human Services, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the "Guaranteed Basic Income Act" or the "Protection Against Automation Act," which requires the department to develop and implement a program in which eligible residents are awarded an annual guaranteed basic income grant beginning in 2026. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 67, Chapter 4 and Title 71.

Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - As introduced, requires evidence of compliance with the financial responsibility law prior to registering vehicles; increases from $25 to $50 the coverage failure fee imposed by the department of revenue for the first failure to comply with the James Lee Atwood Jr. Law; increases that fee to $250 for a second failure to comply and to $500 for a third or subsequent failure to comply; allocates 50 percent of the fees to county clerks. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 12 and Title 55, Chapter 4.

Education, Higher - As introduced, requires the Tennessee higher education commission, in consultation with the department of labor and workforce development, to study all state-funded financial aid and scholarship programs in this state to determine whether programs may be expanded to provide greater financial aid opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a workforce credential; requires the commission to report its findings and any legislative recommendations to the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over higher education and to the education committee of the senate no later than January 15, 2026. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49 and Title 50.

Highways, Roads and Bridges - As introduced, requires the department of transportation to study the development of a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River and connecting to Arkansas. - Amends TCA Title 54.

Economic and Community Development - As introduced, enacts the "Hollyssee Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3 and Title 64.

Students - As introduced, prohibits local education agencies and public charter schools from suspending or expelling a student enrolled in any of the grades pre-K-2 unless the student's behavior endangers the physical safety of others; authorizes local education agencies and public charter schools to suspend such a student for such behavior for no more than three days if certain measures are taken before the student is suspended. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Education, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to compile a list of all of the educator preparation providers' teacher training requirements for licensed educators to teach students in any of the grades K-12 who are employees of a local education agency or public charter school; requires the department to publish the list on the department's website and submit the list to the education committee of the senate and the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over educator licensure by June 30 of each year. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 5.

Traffic Safety - As introduced, requires the driver of a vehicle approaching a slow-moving or stationary farm tractor or implement of husbandry that displays an indicator that it is a slow-moving vehicle to reduce speed and move over, if possible to do so safely. - Amends TCA Title 55.

Water - As introduced, decreases from 1.5 milligrams per liter to 0.4 milligrams per liter the threshold for the presence of fluoride in a public water system that requires an increase in the frequency of fluoride-level testing from quarterly to monthly; requires public water systems to cease adding fluoride to drinking water supplies by May 1, 2025, and provide written notice of cessation of fluoridation to customers. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221, Part 7.

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires a parent or guardian who wishes to enroll the parent's or guardian's student into an LEA or public charter school to submit one of the listed documents to the LEA or public charter school upon enrollment of the student unless the parent or guardian pays an amount equal to the amount representing the per pupil state and local funds generated and required through the Tennessee investment in student achievement formula for the LEA in which the participating student resides. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Driver Licenses - As introduced, lowers the minimum age, from 25 to 21, that is necessary to receive an initial school bus endorsement. - Amends TCA Section 5-8-102; Title 49 and Title 55.

Education - As introduced, deletes an obsolete section requiring the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee to, by December 15, 2014, perform a study on the economic feasibility of creating and utilizing a statewide comprehensive energy policy and submit its final report to the energy task force of the house of representatives. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49.

Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a tenant or household member and a landlord have to agree upon a date to terminate a residential rental or lease agreement, provided the tenant supplies written notice and documentation to the landlord that the tenant is a domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victim. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68.

Firefighters - As introduced, increases from within two weeks to 15 days after the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of any commissioner caused by death, resignation, disability, or forfeiture of office, and no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the term of office of any incumbent commissioner, the time within which the chair of the commission must notify the appropriate association of the vacancy or expiration of the term when the vacancy or expiration results in an opening for that particular association to make recommendations for an appointment. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 49; Title 50; Title 55 and Title 68.

Uniform Commercial Code - As introduced, changes from February 1 to January 15, the date by which the secretary of state must annually report to the governor and general assembly on the operation of the filing office. - Amends TCA Title 47.

Business and Commerce - As introduced, prohibits an individual without a valid transportation network license from accepting or transporting a prearranged ride originating in this state; requires the department of commerce and insurance to issue transportation network licenses to eligible individuals; limits the issuance of transportation network licenses to residents of this state and residents of certain out-of-state counties adjacent to this state. - Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15, Part 3.

Labor and Workforce Development, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the chief elevator inspector to perform a final acceptance inspection upon completion of the installation, modification, or alteration of a private residence elevator prior to such elevator entering service; requires a homeowner to register a private residence elevator with the department; directs the chief elevator inspector to develop and maintain a database of private residence elevators. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 121.

Employees, Employers - As introduced, prohibits an agricultural employer from retaliating against an agricultural employee who asserts a protected right or based on the agricultural employee's immigration status; creates related protections and penalties related to agricultural employees. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 43; Title 50 and Title 68.

Workers Compensation - As introduced, decreases from 10 business days to 10 calendar days, the amount of time the advisory council on workers' compensation has to provide a summary of a meeting after it has been conducted to each member of legislative committees with jurisdiction over commerce. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 50.

Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, authorizes a landlord to submit a single registration form for a multi-dwelling property with the agency or department of local government that is responsible for enforcing building codes in the jurisdiction if the property contains five or more dwelling units; authorizes local governments to require residential landlords to register with the local government. - Amends TCA Section 66-28-107.

Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires a healthcare provider, healthcare group, practice, or clinic, healthcare facility, or other entity to provide notice to each health insurance entity with which it is under contract as soon as practicable if the healthcare provider, healthcare group, practice, or clinic, healthcare facility, or other entity is the subject of a cyber-attack. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 11 and Title 71.

Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, extends from 30 to 60 days the period of time following delivery of a medicare supplement policy or certificate during which an applicant may have the premium refunded, and about which each medicare supplement policy or certificate must have notice prominently printed on the first page of the policy or certificate. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 13; Title 8; Title 55, Chapter 12; Title 56 and Title 71.

Obscenity and Pornography - As introduced, specifies that a commercial entity that knowingly possesses, promotes, purchases, produces, sells, sends, transports, or distributes obscene matter in violation of state law may be held civilly liable to an individual for nominal damages, actual damages, punitive damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 39.

Civil Procedure - As introduced, specifies the damages that may be awarded against a person or commercial entity that publishes or distributes a website containing a substantial portion of content harmful to minors includes actual damages, nominal damages, and punitive damages; specifies that a person or entity that violates certain obscenity laws may be found civilly liable to an injured party for nominal damages, actual damages, court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and punitive damages; provides that the attorney general and reporter may issue guidance to assist commercial entities in complying with age requirements for websites containing a substantial portion of content that is harmful to minors. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 9; Title 47, Chapter 18 and Chapter 1021 of the Public Acts of 2024.

Dentists and Dentistry - As introduced, adds the legislative librarian to the list of persons the commissioner of health must submit an annual report to on the work done by and under the commissioner regarding the general supervision of dentists and dental equipment in the various state institutions. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 14; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

Natural Disasters - As introduced, creates the State Disaster Relief Program to be administered by TEMA for the purpose of providing grants to local governments where a natural disaster has occurred that does not exceed the threshold for federal disaster relief. - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 2, Part 1.

Financial Institutions, Dept. of - As introduced, increases, from November 1 to December 31 to October 15 to December 31, the time frame during which a licensee under the Money Transmission Modernization Act must pay the annual nonrefundable supervision fee and submit its annual renewal report to the department. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 45 and Title 67, Chapter 6.

Consumer Protection - As introduced, requires a healthcare facility that accepts public funds as compensation for losses due to providing uncompensated care to ensure that an amount of outstanding patient debt equal to the amount of public funds accepted is designated as satisfied and that patient is notified of such satisfied debt; prohibits the healthcare facility from seeking a judgment or taking other legal action to collect from the debtor any portion of such debt that is so designated; requires the department of health and division of TennCare to submit an annual report on uncompensated care payments to hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 27; Title 28; Title 29; Title 33; Title 45; Title 47; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

Health Care - As introduced, requires the Tennessee council on autism spectrum disorder to submit an annual report by February 1 of each year to legislative committees that details, at a minimum, the council's findings, progress on the comprehensive statewide plan and system of care, and recommendations for legislation. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 56 and Title 71.

Consumer Protection - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Consumer Protection and Subscription Renewal Act," which prohibits a business from requiring submission of credit or debit card information, or other payment information for an automatic renewal offer or continuous service offer containing a free gift or trial; makes other changes related to automatic renewal offers and continuous service offers. - Amends TCA Title 45; Title 47; Title 56 and Title 65.

Public Records - As introduced, requires personal information of certain state and local officials to be maintained confidentially upon request; authorizes the release of such information by court order, subpoena, or pursuant to an active law enforcement investigation. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7.

Pharmacy, Pharmacists - As introduced, extends from two to three weeks the period of notice that must be provided to a pharmacist or pharmacy prior to an initial on-site audit for each audit cycle by a covered entity, pharmacy benefits manager, the state or its political subdivisions, or an agent of such entity by sending written notice to the pharmacist or pharmacy. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

Boards and Commissions - As introduced, expands, from nine to 11, the number of members appointed to serve on the emergency communications board. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 7, Chapter 86, Part 3.

Employees, Employers - As introduced, enacts the "Pay Stub Protection Act," which requires an employer to provide a statement to an employee on the employer's payday that contains certain information about the employee and the employee's wages and hours worked during the applicable pay period. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 50.

Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As introduced, requires an insurance company that is admitted to do business in this state and insures the tangible personal property of a policyholder who resides in this state to provide a discount to the policyholder through the policyholder's homeowners or renters insurance policy if the policyholder secures the policyholder's firearms in a firearm safe or uses a firearm safety device for the firearms and requests to receive the annual discount. - Amends TCA Title 56.

Contracts - As introduced, requires that contracts entered into between a personal seat license (PSL) holder of 10 or more years and a professional sports franchise for the purchase of a subsequent PSL with an upgraded or improved seating classification include a provision that enables the PSL holder to purchase the subsequent PSL for the same price as the previous PSL; applies to all contracts for subsequent PSL purchases entered into for seating at stadiums in certain counties on or after the effective date of the act. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 9; Title 16; Title 47 and Title 67.

Codes - As introduced, allows an existing place of worship to be used for educational purposes without reclassification of the building's occupancy type if certain conditions are met. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68, Chapter 120.

Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, reduces the time period, after which a landlord may terminate a rental agreement, from 14 days to seven days following notice to the tenant of a material breach of the rental agreement for the nonpayment of rent, the cost of repairs, damages, or another amount due the landlord under the rental agreement, or for an act of violence or other behavior that poses a real and present danger on the premises. - Amends TCA Title 66.

Economic and Community Development, Dept. of - As introduced, creates the small business recovery grant fund, to be administered by the department, to assist eligible small businesses temporarily with costs incurred as a result of extenuating circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 50 and Title 67.

Housing - As introduced, authorizes municipalities to create, implement, and enforce a rental property registry for all residential rental dwelling units within the municipality's jurisdiction; requires owners of residential rental dwelling units to register; requires a municipality that adopts a registry to send an annual report containing certain information to the department of economic and community development. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 21.

State Employees - As introduced, requires an employee in the preferred service system to file an appeal regarding an adverse employment action to the board of appeals not later than 10 days rather than 14 days after the date the employee became aware, or should have reasonably became aware, of the adverse action. - Amends TCA Section 8-30-318.

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for a person who is in the United States without legal authorization to operate a motor vehicle without possessing a valid driver license and evidence of financial responsibility; limits the fine for such offense to a maximum of $1,000. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 55.

Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, prohibits the department from regulating farming activities involving top soil, rock removal, or the building of a pond when the activities are conducted in an area that is less than three acres in size, and the property on which the activities occur has greenbelt classification. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 13; Title 43; Title 44; Title 64; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

Juvenile Offenders - As introduced, requires a juvenile court, upon finding a child has committed a third or subsequent delinquent act, to enter an order of restitution against the parent, legal custodian, or guardian who had custody of the child at the time of the act for the expenses incurred by any law enforcement agency in responding to and investigating the delinquent act. - Amends TCA Title 37.

Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires law enforcement agencies and officials to communicate with federal officials regarding the immigration status only for an individual who has been arrested for a criminal offense; sets a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a law enforcement agency that does not comply to be enforced by the attorney general and reporter. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 40 and Chapter 716 of the Public Acts of 2024.

Disabled Persons - As introduced, enacts the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 52.

Criminal Procedure - As introduced, exempts an applicant seeking to restore the applicant's rights of citizenship from having to pay for the cost of the application if a court orders otherwise. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 8; Title 39 and Title 40.

Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, creates in the department of human services a community grant advisory board for the purpose of administering the community-based organizations grant program to financially support eligible nonprofit organizations that serve communities in the areas of education, public health, housing, social issues, and economic and workforce development. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 67 and Title 71.