114th General Assembly adjourns sine die

GOP Supermajority delivers wins for rural Tennessee, public safety, education

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 114th General Assembly adjourned sine die on Thursday following a productive 2026 legislative session. The legislature enacted conservative policies that enhance public safety, drive health care reform, expand educational opportunity and reinforce Tennessee’s economic strength.

On the Senate floor Thursday, Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) was presented with the first-ever Tri-Star General Award, honoring an extraordinary 48-year career of public service in the Tennessee General Assembly as he prepares to retire later this year. Gov. Bill Lee and House Speaker Cameron Sexton joined Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) on the Senate floor to mark the occasion, alongside McNally’s family, in a moment that reflected both gratitude and deep respect.

Thursday marked his final legislative day of the regular session of the 114th General Assembly serving as Lt. Governor and Senate Speaker—a role in which he has provided decades of steady leadership and principled guidance. McNally leaves behind a lasting legacy defined not only by his commitment to public service, but by the relationships he built along the way. Colleagues on both sides of the aisle offered heartfelt tributes, reflecting on his mentorship, genuine friendship, and trademark sense of humor.

2026 Legislative Session Highlights

Republicans continued their strong record of fiscal discipline, keeping taxes low while ensuring state government operates with the greatest efficiency for the people it serves.

This year's zero-debt $58.3 billion balanced budget advances Republican priorities with smart, targeted investments that secure Tennessee's future and strengthen its well-earned reputation as a state where families thrive and businesses succeed. 

The session delivered a strong slate of conservative wins, including enhanced penalties for domestic violence and human trafficking, school safety grants, regulatory freedom legislation, campus free speech protections, parental rights expansions and support for law enforcement and first responders. Republicans also advanced critical infrastructure projects, workforce development initiatives and stronger protections for vulnerable adults and children.

Healthy Tennessee Families

Recognizing the unique challenges facing rural communities, the legislature directed significant resources toward rural health care. Tennessee’s 2026 session also took a targeted, system-focused approach to health care competition and regulatory reforms. 

These legislative efforts include:

• Quicker access to new FDA-approved medications HB 2136/ SB 2556)

• Fair Rx Act, major pharmacy reform that reduces conflicts of interest and increases transparency in drug pricing (HB 1959 / SB 2040)

• Created a new pathway for internationally trained physicians to practice in Tennessee, helping address provider shortages, particularly in rural communities (HB 2571 / SB 2366)

• Directed $205 million to utilize Shared Savings for health care initiatives, including funding Rural Health Transformation Resiliency Grants

• $230 million to TennCare to cover increasing costs associated with medical inflation, including higher prescription drug prices and Medicare payments and increased services

• Eliminated Certificate of Need (CON) for acute care hospitals, emergency rooms and cardiac catheterization labs (HB 819/ SB 1369)

• Terminated Certificates of Public Advantage (COPA) (HB 2278/ SB2414)

• Expanded step therapy to all cancer patients (HB 1956/ SB 2081)

• Protected medical freedom through the SHIELD Act by ensuring providers are not penalized for treating patients who decline vaccinations (HB 2243/ SB 2070)

• Created a 3-year pilot program to support caregivers' lost wages and expenses (HB 1443/ SB 1777)
  
  

Safer Communities

The General Assembly enacted new laws to strengthen public safety, along with first-in-the-nation legislation to expand enforcement of illegal immigration. 

• Banned kratom also known as "gas station heroin" (HB 1649/ SB 1656)

• Created a presumption against releasing defendants if they are charged with offenses involving a firearm that result in death or bodily injury (HB 33 / SB 218 ) 

• Ensured victims of domestic violence and other crimes can use a substitute address to keep their home address hidden from their abusers (HB 1552/ SB 1640)

• Limited third-party groups from posting bail for criminal defendants (HB 1450/ SB 1708)

• Passed the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act, which improves transparency and preserves the integrity of judicial rulings (HB 1484/ SB 1467)

• Established a Class D felony offense for coercive suicide (HB 1951/ SB 1815)

• Strengthened accountability for the Shelby County judicial system (HB 483/ HB 443)

• Expanded self-defense protections to include victims of human trafficking (HB 1354/ SB 1225)

• Added aggravating circumstances for prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for child rapists (HB 1454/ SB 1659)

• Required sex offenders to notify campgrounds of their status (HB 1922/SB 1930)

Illegal Immigration Enforcement

• Established state-level criminal penalties for individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. who have received final orders of removal (HB 1704 / SB 1779)

• Required government employers to verify the work authorization status of all new hires and appointees (HB 1705 /SB 1922)

• Required law enforcement to honor federal immigration detainers by holding illegal aliens for up to 48 hours (HB 2018/ SB 1486)

• Ended sanctuary courts by requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities (HB 1707/ SB 1952)

• Required written driver's license exams to be administered in English, with a one-time limited exception (HB 1708/SB 1889)  

• Barred illegal immigrants from receiving professional licenses (HB 1709/ SB 1901)

• Required all TN sheriffs to enter into a memorandum of agreement with federal officials for immigration enforcement (HB 2219/ SB 2223) 

Education 

Lawmakers signaled significant support for K-12 education, including raising the minimum starting teacher salary to $50,000 and expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship programs. The budget adds $339 million in new recurring dollars for K-12 education, bringing the total base Tennessee Investment in Achievement (TISA) budget to $7.1 billion and the overall public education budget to more than $9.4 billion for 2026-27.

• Expanded Education Freedom Scholarships to 35,000 (HB 2532/ SB 2247)

• Limited unnecessary screen time in elementary classrooms (HB 2393/SB2310) 

• Loss of driving privileges for chronic absenteeism (HB 2146/ SB 2201) 

• Closed truancy gaps to keep students on track (HB 1823/ SB 1968)

• Held virtual schools accountable to protect students (HB 2420/SB 2441) 

• Authorized intervention of Memphis-Shelby County Schools to improve outcomes (HB 662/ SB714) 

• Protected free speech on college campuses (HB 1476/SB 1741)

• Ensured students can study the historical influence of Biblical values in America. (HB 1822/SB 1828)

• Strengthened instruction on America’s founding principles (HB 1857/SB 1960)

Infrastructure, Economic Opportunity & Rural Investment

The General Assembly appropriated more than $890 million new dollars for infrastructure, transportation and economic development 

• Established a statewide framework for Tennessee’s eight Tourism Development Zones (TDZ) to keep them open, clean and thriving (HB 2366 / SB 2157) 

• Created the Subterranean Transportation Infrastructure Coordination Authority to oversee key aspects of underground transit development, including the Music City Loop (HB 2450 / SB 2205)

• Updated governance framework for major Tennessee airports (HB 2507/SB 2473) 

• Strengthened Tennessee's recycling marketplace focused on public-private coordination and economic development (HB 2518/SB 1793)

• Created a public-private partnership initiative to increase access to affordable housing for working families (HB 2509/ SB 2410)

• $400 million for new and existing transportation projects, bringing TDOTs total General Fund allocations to $5 billion

• $81.2 million to support aviation infrastructure

• $25 million to the Tennessee Entertainment Commission for continued support for Tennessee’s music and film industries 

• $25 million for Nuclear Industry Initiative Grants

• $20 million for upkeep and infrastructure of shortline railroads

Children and Families

• Protected children from being returned to abusive situations (HB 2127/ SB 2539)

• Developed guardrails for minor content creators (HB 1723/ SB 1469)

• Expanded resources for children with disabilities in state custody (HB 2188/ SB 2362)

• Protected parental rights regarding a child’s biological sex (HB 2082/ SB 1989)

• $34.5 million to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to reduce caseload ratios

• $10.7 million to enhance staff safety at DCS facilities that accommodate delinquent youth

• Provided $7 million to Summer EBT program for 2027

• Provided financial benefit to families of electrical linemen killed in the line of duty (HB 1464) 

Government Efficiency

• Giving local communities more representation over their electric service (HB 2592/ SB 2102)

• Passed the Regulatory Freedom Act to ensure transparency and hold state government agencies accountable for rule changes that cost the private sector money (HB 1913/SB 2199)

• Aligned local elections with state election cycles (SJR 551)

• Created a pilot program to allow 10 counties with the highest caseloads to establish criminal magistrate positions (HB 2251/SB 2025)

• Reigned in frivolous out-of-state lawsuits and strengthened liability protections for Tennessee (HB 1971/ SB 1958 by Farmer

• Allowed local governments to reduce sales tax on groceries (HB 2186/SB2160)

Conservation & Agriculture

• Expanded scenic river protections for the Duck River and other waterways  (HB 1510) 

• Promotes TN-raised meat through labeling program (HB2252)

• Strengthened the pipeline from education to careers in Tennessee’s agricultural industry (HB 1536/SB 1645)

• $125 million for three new Tennessee State Parks, and rebuild of Davy Crockett State Park

• $1.1 million to support further enhancement of Tennessee’s electric grid

• $10 million for Clark Center Park for future use as a new state park

Senate passes legislation to address structural conflicts in pharmacy benefit administration

This week the Senate passed Senate Bill 2040,sponsored by Senator Bobby Harshbarger.  (R-Kingsport). The legislation prohibits entities from owning or controlling both a pharmacy and a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) or health insurer within Tennessee’s pharmacy licensure framework.

Known as the “The Freedom, Access, and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy Act (FAIR Rx Act), the legislation focuses on the structure of the pharmacy system. Beginning July 1, 2028, the law prevents a health insurer from owning or controlling both a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and a pharmacy at the same time, when that ownership or control exceeds five percent.

“This legislation addresses a structural issue within the pharmacy marketplace,” said Harshbarger. When the same entity is setting reimbursement rates, designing pharmacy networks, auditing competing pharmacies, and directing patients while also owning the pharmacy, that creates an inherent conflict of interest. This bill addresses that structure through pharmacy licensure standards. If you’re going to manage the system, you should not also be in a position to financially benefit from distorting that system”.

Patients will continue to have access to retail, mail-order, specialty, and delivery pharmacy services.

The bill also includes targeted exemptions to ensure continuity of care and avoid disruption to existing systems. It does not apply to employer-sponsored plans that provide pharmacy benefits solely for their own employees, and it does not apply to pharmacy services provided under federal healthcare programs, including those serving veterans and military families through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. It also excludes certain limited-distribution medications, such as FDA-designated orphan drugs and those subject to Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). In addition, hospital and health-system pharmacies are not considered PBMs under the legislation.

Pharmacies operating under ownership structures addressed by the bill will have a defined transition period to come into compliance, including time to pursue a good-faith sale to an unaffiliated owner if necessary.

Senate passes Caring for Caregivers Act  

To help support those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1777. Sponsored by Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), the legislation establishes the “Caring for Caregivers Act”, which creates a pilot program in each grand division to provide financial assistance to family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. The bill creates the Family Caregiver Grant Fund to help offset costs such as home modifications, medical equipment, and respite care.  Eligible caregivers may receive up to $6,000 per year.

“Family caregivers are the backbone of support for loved ones battling Alzheimer’s and dementia, and they often carry that responsibility with little help,” said Crowe. “This legislation provides meaningful, direct support to those families, helping cover essential costs and ensuring they have the resources they need to continue providing care at home.”

The measure prioritizes support for lower income families and requires regular reporting to the General Assembly to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. 

Legislation passes to require cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

To strengthen coordination with federal immigration authorities, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 2223. Sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), the legislation requires every Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified county sheriff to enter into a 287(g) agreement with federal officials by January 1, 2027. The measure allows participation under several federal program models, including the jail enforcement model, warrant service officer model, task force model, and tribal task force model, and does not require approval from the local governing body.

“Illegal immigration has real consequences for public safety and the rule of law,” said Johnson. “This legislation ensures our sheriffs are working hand-in-hand with federal partners through the 287(g) program so that individuals who are here unlawfully and come into contact with law enforcement are properly identified and transferred to federal custody.”

The bill allows the state to withhold funding if a sheriff does not comply, while still allowing participation to be paused during emergencies with proper notice. It also lets other law enforcement agencies enter into similar agreements and sets clear rules for holding individuals temporarily before transferring them to federal custody.

Protecting the judicial system from foreign influence 

In an effort to protect the integrity of the judicial system, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2101. Sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), the legislation addresses the growing influence of third party and foreign backed litigation financing.

“This isn’t Shark Tank for foreign adversaries; we’re not handing out stakes in Tennessee lawsuits to whoever wants to cash in from halfway around the world,” said Taylor. “Our courts are for justice, not behind-the-scenes investing, and this bill makes sure if you’re trying to bankroll a case, you’re doing it in the light—and not from Beijing or Pyongyang.”

Currently, adversary foreign actors, like China and North Korea can fund lawsuits in Tennessee with little to no disclosure, allowing access to sensitive legal strategies and information. This legislation requires the disclosure of third party financing by prohibiting these foreign adversaries from registering or operating as litigation financiers. Additionally, it ensures that financiers cannot control or influence legal decisions in the cases that they fund. 

Senate strengthens protections for law enforcement

In an effort to protect Tennessee’s first responders, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1900. Sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R–Sparta), the legislation increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder. Under current law, assaulting a first responder is a Class A misdemeanor. This bill increases the penalty for assaulting a first responder from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, with a mandatory minimum fine of $10,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days incarceration.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every single day to protect our communities,” said Bailey. “ This legislation sends a clear message that assaults against them will not be tolerated.  By strengthening penalties and aligning them with those for assaults on law enforcement officers, we are making sure these brave men and women receive the full protection of the law.”

First Responder is defined as a firefighter, emergency services personnel, or other person who responds to calls for emergency assistance from a 911 call, but does not include a law enforcement officer. Under current law, it is already a felony to assault a law enforcement officer.  This penalty enhancement will align first responders with law enforcement officers.

Helping patients get medications quicker 

To streamline access to federally approved medications and align state drug scheduling with federal standards, the Senate passed legislation establishing automatic state scheduling for certain controlled substances.

Sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves (R‑Murfreesboro), Senate Bill 2556  ensures that any drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and scheduled by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is automatically placed in the same schedule in Tennessee. This applies unless the drug is classified differently by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS).

“This bill will help patients get the medications they need faster while keeping Tennessee’s drug regulations aligned with federal standards,” said Reeves. “By automatically recognizing FDA-approved medications in our state schedule, we’re making sure patients have timely access to safe, effective care without unnecessary delays.”

The legislation also allows licensed healthcare prescribers authorized to prescribe controlled substances to begin prescribing these medications immediately upon state scheduling, as long as it is within their lawful scope of practice and the drug is not classified as Schedule I.

Step therapy exemptions provide new paths for patients

To expand step-therapy exemptions for cancer patients, ensuring faster access to critical medications, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2081. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), the legislation expands a law passed by the General Assembly in 2025 that prohibits health insurers from requiring step therapy before covering an approved prescription drug for patients with stage 4 metastatic cancer or blood cancer. The latest proposal expands those exemptions to all cancer patients.

“This legislation ensures doctors can prescribe the right medication for cancer patients at any stage of the disease without forcing them to try a potentially less effective option first,” Watson said. “When it comes to cancer, every day matters, and getting the proper treatment early can save lives.”

Step therapy is a process where insurance companies require a patient to try a cheaper alternative medication before stepping up to a higher-level medication. 

Investing in the future of agriculture education

In an effort to build a stronger education to career pipeline in agriculture, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1645 this week. Sponsored by Senator Page Walley (R-Bolivar), the legislation establishes  the "Tennessee Agricultural Innovation and Education Initiative” within the Department of Agriculture. 

“Agriculture in the  Volunteer State is a key economic driver and a foundational part of our history, " said Walley. “This legislation addresses the need for workforce shortages in the industries and creates another tool in the toolbox to engage and promote agriculture in the next generation. By investing in education, outreach, and innovation, we are ensuring that Tennessee's agricultural community remains strong and ready for the future.

The initiative will  support statewide outreach, education, and storytelling efforts that highlight  the importance and history of agriculture in Tennessee. Additionally, the program will strengthen career pathways to agricultural industries, encourage innovation, and expand digital access to agriculture workforce and learning resources.

Promising Futures Act passes to strengthen childcare system

To support working families and address the shortage of affordable, quality child care, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2062.  Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) the legislation enacts the “Promising Futures Act.” The measure establishes new initiatives to strengthen the childcare system across Tennessee.

“This legislation takes a thoughtful approach to strengthening Tennessee’s child care system while supporting working families,” said Watson. “By investing in the workforce and expanding access to affordable care, we’re helping parents stay in the workforce and ensuring children have access to the quality care they deserve.”

The bill establishes the The Child Care Workforce Scholarship Pilot Program to help recruit and retain workers by covering education and training costs for individuals entering or advancing in the child care field. It also created the CareShare Tennessee Pilot Program to partner with employers to help cover the cost of child care for working families, making care more affordable and accessible.

Strengthening accountability and transparency in local education spending

To improve transparency, accountability, and ensure more funding reaches students, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2351. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), the legislation makes targeted updates to how local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools operate and interact. The bill places a cap on authorizer fees collected by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, establishing guardrails to prevent excessive administrative costs and help direct more funding into classrooms. It also allows the Commission to require LEAs to provide existing student support services through contracts, with reimbursement for actual costs.

“Every dollar we invest in education should be working for students—not getting tied up in unnecessary bureaucracy,” said Watson. “This legislation puts common-sense guardrails in place, strengthens accountability, and makes sure resources are focused where they matter most: in the classroom, supporting teachers and giving every child the opportunity to succeed.”

Additionally, the measure establishes clear renewal standards, including automatic renewal for high-performing charter schools, and requires annual reporting on school performance. It updates replication requirements by extending the timeline before expansion and standardizing the application process.

The bill also strengthens financial oversight by requiring local legislative bodies to sign off on school budgets and financial reports, ensures transparency in local funding records, and protects charter school funding from reductions due to late reporting by an LEA.

Legislation passes to streamline adoption process

To streamline certain adoption processes and prioritize the best interests of children in Tennessee, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1238. Sponsored by Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon) the legislation creates a process for the voluntary surrender of parental rights for parents who do not want to appear before a judge. The measure preserves judicial oversight by establishing specific guardrails and safety requirements.

“This legislation creates a thoughtful pathway for voluntary surrender in limited circumstances, while preserving judicial oversight and requiring legal representation for all parties involved,” said Stevens. “It’s a balanced approach that supports families, protects parental rights, and ensures every decision is made with the child’s well-being at the center.”

Voluntary surrender would only apply when a child is six months of age or less, not in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, and the surrendering party is over 18 years old and represented by an attorney. According to the legislation, birth parents could file a non-binding notice of surrender within 30 days of surrender, which must be signed by the parent, the attorney representing the birth parent, the accepting party, and an attorney representing the accepting party.

There would then be a hearing for the court to review the notice, a home study report and information forms from the surrendering and accepting parties. The court may then approve the notice and a provisional order of guardianship, effective upon filing the notice of surrender. After this, a birth parent can execute an out-of-court surrender form.

This proposal does not affect a father's waiver of parental rights, and it does not apply if the surrendering parent has an intellectual or developmental disability.

Legislation passes to position Nashville to attract major events 

To provide guardrails using tourism-generated revenue, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1672, sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) to create a clear framework for managing excess funds within Nashville’s Tourist Development Zone (TDZ). The bill establishes a joint capital tourism board to oversee how surplus funds are used and sets guardrails for future spending. The legislation allows accumulated excess funds to be used for major priorities, including convention center obligations, up to $750 million for convention center expansion, and $300 million for East Bank infrastructure improvements, along with other related expenses.

“The Tourist Development Zone has generated significant revenue because Nashville has become one of the top tourism destinations in the country,” said Johnson. “This legislation puts those dollars to work by reinvesting in tourism and the infrastructure needed to attract and host major events, from the Super Bowl to global entertainment events, ensuring Nashville remains competitive on the national stage and continues bringing visitors and economic growth to our state.”

The bill outlines how funds may be allocated after core obligations are met. A portion of these funds—starting at $30 million and increasing annually—may be used to attract major national events such as the Super Bowl and other large-scale competitions.

Remaining funds may be used for public safety, capital improvements within the TDZ, and a new grant program to support local businesses and property owners. The bill does not raise taxes or expand the TDZ, but instead creates a structured, transparent process to manage surplus funds for the benefit of both the state and Nashville.

In Brief…

Capitol protection zone - To bolster safety measures for state government officials, employees, and the public the Senate passed Senate Bill 1588. Sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), the legislation designates a defined security area encompassing key state buildings and surrounding grounds in Nashville. The protection zone includes the State Capitol, Capitol annexes, War Memorial Building, Legislative Plaza, Cordell Hull Building, Supreme Court Building, State Library and Archives Building, John Sevier State Office Building, James K. Polk State Office Building, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, World War II Memorial Building, Rachel Jackson Building, Andrew Jackson Building, and adjacent grounds, roads, and sidewalks. The bill authorizes the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security commissioner to assign POST-certified state facility protection officers to the zone, granting them concurrent law enforcement authority with local agencies, including the power to arrest, carry firearms and investigate crimes.

Providing financial flexibility to seniors with reverse mortgages - To modernize Tennessee’s reverse mortgage laws and provide older homeowners with additional financial flexibility, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2190, sponsored by Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon). Known as the “Tennessee Reverse Mortgage Innovation Act” the legislation will recognize additional reverse mortgage products beyond those currently insured through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).  Currently, only FHA-insured reverse mortgages are authorized in Tennessee. The measure would allow reverse mortgages on homes that exceed the FHA maximum lending limit and expand eligibility to borrowers as young as 55, compared to the FHA minimum age requirement of 62. The bill would also extend eligibility to homeowners living in condominiums that do not meet FHA approval guidelines, increasing access for property owners. 

Reducing judicial caseload backlog - The Senate passed legislation to help courts manage growing caseloads and improve efficiency in the criminal justice system. Senate Bill 2025, sponsored by Senator Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), creates a pilot program allowing the 10 counties with the highest criminal court caseloads to establish criminal magistrate positions. If approved by the county’s legislative body, judges with criminal jurisdiction may appoint a magistrate to assist with key judicial functions, including arraignments, initial appearances, setting bonds, issuing warrants, and conducting preliminary hearings. Magistrates would serve four-year terms and be funded by the county. 

Preventing conflicts of interest in local government - To prevent conflicts of interest in local government, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2591. Sponsored by Senator Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), the legislation prohibits local government employees from serving on the legislative body of the same government. 

Growing affordable accessible healthcare options statewide - To modernize Tennessee law and protect both professionals and patients, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2579, sponsored by Senator Bobby Harshbarger (R-Kingsport). Known as the “Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act”, the legislation updates licensure standards for dietitians and nutritionists, establishes separate scopes of practice, and creates an oversight board with expanded membership. It protects free speech by allowing professionals to share general nutrition information, sets fair guardrails for medical licenses, and provides transparency by defining complex and non-complex positions.

The measure also includes modern licensing standards with national accreditation, telehealth provisions, and reciprocity with other states to make care more affordable and accessible. It requires multistate background checks and gives the Board authority to investigate complaints and enforce standards.

Strengthening emergency preparedness - To improve coordination and readiness during emergencies, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2004, sponsored by Senator Tom Hatcher (R-Maryville). The legislation requires local emergency management agencies to provide annual training to all employees on the Mutual Aid and Emergency and Disaster Assistance Agreement Act of 2004 and the Interlocal Cooperation Act. These acts allow local governments to share resources and coordinate across jurisdictions during emergencies, as well as partner on services and response efforts. The bill also requires agencies to document completion of the training in each employee’s personnel or training file, ensuring accountability and consistent preparedness across jurisdictions.

Strengthening licensing requirements for managed service providers - To better define and strengthen licensing requirements for companies providing security-related technology services, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2291, sponsored by Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon). The legislation creates a limited exemption from the Alarm Contractors Licensing Act for certain managed service providers while reinforcing overall licensing standards. Under the bill, qualifying providers that perform limited work on IP camera systems and earn less than 25% of their revenue from those services, are not required to obtain an alarm contractor license, provided they meet employee vetting requirements. However, companies that provide monitoring services must still be licensed under existing law.

Continuous insurance coverage for delivery drivers - To ensure clear and continuous coverage for delivery drivers, the Commerce and Labor Committee passed Senate Bill 2458. Sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), the legislation addresses a growing gray area where drivers may lack clear coverage when a delivery app is active but a trip has not yet begun. It requires delivery network companies, such as DoorDash,  to maintain and verify automobile liability insurance for drivers operating on their platforms, ensuring coverage and proof of financial responsibility. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration. 

Short-term coverage option to bridge insurance gaps - To provide Tennesseans with more flexible health coverage options, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2557, sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro). The legislation allows health insurance providers to offer short-term, limited-duration plans on the Marketplace as a bridge between TennCare and traditional private insurance. The bill is designed to help individuals whose income increases beyond TennCare eligibility but who may still struggle to afford private coverage. By offering a transitional option, the measure aims to ensure continued access to care while encouraging upward mobility without the risk of losing health coverage.

Consistency with DUI cases - To create consistency in DUI-related penalties, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2640, sponsored by Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield). The legislation removes the distinction between standard cases, where one submits a blood or breath test and those involving refusal of a blood test for individuals without prior convictions. Under the bill, both offenses are treated the same, establishing a single mandatory driver’s license revocation period of one year and six months.

Limiting high volume telemarketing calls - To curb excessive telemarketing calls, the Senate  passed Senate Bill 2659. Sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), the legislation limits the number of telephone solicitations a person or entity may make using artificial or prerecorded messages to Tennessee residential subscribers to 10,000 calls per month. 

To ensure accountability, the bill requires entities making these calls to maintain monthly records. Those making 500 or more calls per month must submit records to the Tennessee Public Utilities Commission every six months and provide them upon request to the commission or the attorney general. Violations are treated as a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and carry a minimum civil penalty of $1,000 per violation.

Supporting the National Guard’s deployment to Memphis - The Senate passed House Joint Resolution 1094, sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis). The Resolution  shows support of Governor Bill Lee’s deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, recognizing the effort to support public safety and assist local enforcement. 

Strengthening student internet safety policies in schools - To enhance online safety for students, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1912. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), the legislation updates internet acceptable use policies for local education agencies and expands those requirements to include public charter schools. The bill requires schools to review and update these policies at least twice a year, ensures digital learning providers block access to inappropriate content, and establishes a process for reporting concerns about materials. It also allows schools to create email accounts for younger students for identification purposes only and requires parent notification if a student violates internet use policies. The measure takes full effect beginning with the 2027–2028 school year.

Supporting volunteer fire departments - In an effort to support volunteer firefighters, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2338. Sponsored by Senator Jessie Seal (R-New Tazewell), the legislation creates the Volunteer Firefighter Vehicle Grant Program to help departments purchase fire trucks and other vehicles.  The program is designed to assist departments in meeting any required local match for federal funding and will distribute funds across Tennessee’s three grand divisions based on the number of volunteer fire departments in each region. 

Short term continuation health coverage option - To provide Tennesseans with more flexibility in maintaining health coverage, the Senate passed Senate Bill 865. Sponsored by Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon), the legislation restores Tennessee’s prior Mini-COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) provision, allowing eligible individuals to continue their employer sponsored health plan for up to three months, plus any partial month, by paying the full premium, including the employer’s share.  The bill serves as a short-term bridge for individuals transitioning between coverage options and does not replace or limit access to Marketplace plans, but instead adds another consumer choice. Additionally, the legislation expands insurance provisions to include coverage for vision related products like eyeglasses and contact lenses, requiring vendors to obtain a limited lines license and allowing trained employees to offer coverage at retail locations. Existing rules governing portable electronics insurance will also apply to this type of coverage.

Line of duty benefit for fallen electrical linemen - To support families of those who serve on the front lines of critical infrastructure, the Senate  passed Senate Bill 1907. Sponsored by Senator John Stevens (R-Huntingdon), the legislation enacts the “Chance Carlton Act” which authorizes the estate of an electrical lineman employed by a local government or utility who is killed in the line of duty to receive a $250,000 state-funded annuity, paid in $50,000 installments over five years. The measure applies to claims arising on or after July 1, 2026, and provides a clear appeals process by allowing denied claims to be reviewed by the Department of Finance and Administration, which may issue a final, binding decision within 90 days.

Adding courts and prosecutors to strengthen public safety in Memphis – To support the growing number of prosecutions stemming from the Memphis Safe Task Force, the Senate passed Senate Bill 846. Sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), the legislation creates two additional criminal courts, four new assistant district attorney general positions, and two criminal investigator positions in the 30th Judicial District, which includes Shelby County, effective September 1, 2026.

Limits on taxpayer funded infrastructure for data centers - To protect taxpayers and ensure fair utility practices, the Finance Committee passed Senate Bill 2128. Sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), the legislation prohibits local governments and electric utilities from paying for or subsidizing electrical infrastructure costs that are incurred solely to serve a data center. The bill allows utilities to allocate a portion of those costs only when upgrades benefit the broader system or other customers and follow standard cost-allocation policies. It also permits utilities to reimburse data center operators under non-discriminatory policies that do not result in higher rates for existing customers.

Sharing public infrastructure costs with developers - To give local governments a clear way to work with developers on public infrastructure, the Senate passed legislation allowing counties, cities, and metropolitan governments to enter into cost-sharing agreements for offsite infrastructure needed for new development. Sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), Senate Bill 2191 ensures developers pay only their fair share of costs based on how much their project uses the infrastructure. Disagreements over the cost split can be appealed to the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation.

Support for courthouse square revitalization projects - To continue supporting local revitalization efforts, the Senate passed Senate Bill 145. Sponsored by Senator Page Walley (R-Bolivar) , the legislation extends, by 10 years, the time period in which eligible municipalities may continue receiving an allocation of state sales tax revenue under the former Courthouse Square Revitalization Pilot Project Act. The extension moves the program’s end date from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2038, allowing participating communities to maintain ongoing economic development and downtown improvement projects.

Updating tax credit calculations for financial institutions - The Senate passed Senate Bill 2151, sponsored by Senator Page Walley (R-Bolivar), which revises how certain franchise and excise tax credits are calculated for financial institutions. The bill changes the basis of the community investment tax credit from a percentage of the unpaid principal balance of qualified loans to a percentage of the month-end average unpaid principal balance of those loans. The change takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to tax years beginning on or after that date.

Better Spending, Better Schools Act of 2026 - To improve financial transparency in education, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2072. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), the legislation enacts the  “Better Spending, Better Schools Act of 2026.” The legislation requires all local education agencies and public charter schools to submit annual planning and budget reports, as well as an expenditure report for the prior school year, to the Department of Education and the Office of Research and Education Accountability by August 1 each year. The reports must include detailed breakdowns of budgets, revenues, and spending across categories such as instruction, personnel, administration, and operations. The Department of Education will publish at least two years of this data on the state report card, along with key financial information including state funding, local contributions, and total debt.

Pilot program to evaluate reduced student testing - To examine whether fewer state-mandated tests can improve student outcomes, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2317. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), the legislation creates a pilot program allowing select high-performing school districts to reduce testing requirements for eligible students. Up to ten districts will be selected by July 1, 2026, with the pilot running during the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 school years. Participating students in grades K–8 who score above the 40th percentile on beginning-of-year reading and math screeners may qualify. Under the pilot, students will take a limited number of required assessments, including one reading screener, one math screener, and TCAP tests in English language arts and math. District-level testing will also be reduced to a set number of benchmark and screening assessments. The Department of Education will collect and analyze results to determine whether reduced testing impacts academic achievement. The bill also allows certain third-grade students in the pilot who meet reading benchmarks to be eligible for promotion to fourth grade.

Targeting organized theft schemes - To crack down on organized theft, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1737. Sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), the legislation makes it a criminal offense to knowingly follow or travel to target someone leaving a business, bank, or ATM with the intent to steal their cash while possessing tools used to commit the theft. The  bill will make this  Class A misdemeanor. Additionally elevates the offense to a Class D felony if the person commits a burglary during the act, and a Class B felony if the offense involves robbery.

###