AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to assessments.
In plain English Requires the education department to pilot a program testing whether fewer mandated assessments improve student academic success and adds a promotion pathway for students not proficient in reading.
Official synopsis: As enacted, requires the department of education to implement a pilot program to evaluate whether administering fewer district- and state-mandated assessments results in students achieving greater academic success; adds an additional method by which a student who is not proficient in ELA, as determined by…
Became lawEffective date(s) 05/21/2026 · 2026-05-27
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to cruelty to animals.
In plain English Adds starvation resulting in death to conduct that constitutes aggravated cruelty to livestock when done in a depraved and sadistic manner without justifiable purpose.
Official synopsis: As enacted, adds starvation resulting in death of a livestock animal to the types of conduct that constitute the Class E felony of aggravated cruelty to a livestock animal, when done in a depraved and sadistic manner without justifiable or lawful purpose. – Amends TCA…
Became lawComp. became Pub. Ch. 974 · 2026-05-18
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 48 and Title 66, relative to electric vehicle charging stations.
In plain English Prohibits homeowners' associations from banning lot owners from installing electric vehicle charging stations for personal use on their property.
Official synopsis: As enacted, prohibits a unit owners' association or homeowners' association from prohibiting a lot owner from installing an electric vehicle charging station for the lot owner's personal use on property owned by the lot owners; makes other changes related to electric vehicle charging stations. -…
Became lawEffective date(s) 07/01/2026 · 2026-05-18
A RESOLUTION to honor and commend Barry Clingan upon his recognition by the East Tennessee Historical Association as a member of the First Families of Tennessee.
Barry Clingan
Became lawSigned by Governor. · 2026-05-05
A RESOLUTION to honor and recognize Kylee Am, 2026 Salutatorian of Hixson High School.
Kylee Am, Salutatorian, Hixson High School
Became lawSigned by Governor. · 2026-05-05
A RESOLUTION to honor and recognize Laurel McCuiston, 2026 Valedictorian of Sale Creek High School.
Laurel McCuiston, Valedictorian, Sale Creek High School
Became lawSigned by Governor. · 2026-05-05
A RESOLUTION to honor and commend Landon Mims, 2026 Salutatorian of Sale Creek High School.
Landon Mims, Salutatorian, Sale Creek High School
Became lawSigned by Governor. · 2026-05-05
A RESOLUTION to honor and recognize Hiba Shahbaz, 2026 Valedictorian of Hixson High School.
Hiba Shahbaz, Valedictorian, Hixson High School
Became lawSigned by Governor. · 2026-05-05
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 66-24-101, relative to writings eligible for registration.
In plain English Allows bonds and real property agreements to be registered if they contain all required signatures and an expiration date.
Official synopsis: As enacted, authorizes all bonds for the conveyance of real or personal estate to be registered only if the bond contains the signatures of all parties subject to the bond and the expiration date of the bond; authorizes all agreements for the conveyance of real…
Became lawComp. became Pub. Ch. 865 · 2026-05-04
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10 and Title 49, relative to librarians.
In plain English Requires public schools serving grades 9-12 to employ a full-time library information specialist if certain criteria are met, and qualifies advanced degrees in media and technology for this endorsement.
Official synopsis: As enacted, requires the state board of education, in consultation with the department of education, to qualify an advanced degree in media and technology as an advanced degree that leads to a library information specialist endorsement; establishes certain staffing requirements for libraries in public schools…
Became lawComp. became Pub. Ch. 864 · 2026-05-04
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, relative to sentencing for criminal offenses.
In plain English Adds circumstances for juries to consider when sentencing defendants convicted of certain criminal offenses.
Official synopsis: As enacted, adds aggravating circumstances for a jury to consider when determining the sentence of a defendant convicted of certain offenses. – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.
Became lawComp. became Pub. Ch. 693 · 2026-04-27
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37 and Title 71, relative to investigations.
In plain English Requires the department to screen and potentially assess reports of harm involving caregivers.
Official synopsis: As enacted, requires the department to make an initial screening, and potentially an assessment, upon receiving a report of harm that includes a report of harm alleging facts that involve a caregiver; makes other related changes. – Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 71.
Became lawEffective date(s) 01/01/2027 · 2026-04-24
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 12 and Title 67, relative to local government.
In plain English Increases from 90 days to 100 days the time a joint committee has to report on county consolidation feasibility after receiving a petition.
Official synopsis: As introduced, increases from 90 days to 100 days the amount of time that a joint committee on county consolidation has following its receipt of a petition of consolidation to report its findings and recommendations on the feasibility of consolidation of the petitioning county with…
Not out of committeeSponsor(s) Added. · 2026-04-20
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 3, relative to arson.
In plain English Increases the penalty for arson at a pregnancy resource center from a Class C felony to a Class B felony.
Official synopsis: As introduced, increases the penalty for arson committed at a pregnancy resource center from a Class C felony to a Class B felony; defines "pregnancy resource center" as a nonprofit organization that provides care and resources to assist women and families facing difficult or unexpected…
Not out of committeePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/20/2026 · 2026-04-16
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, relative to criminal offenses.
In plain English Creates a Class B misdemeanor for intentionally obstructing or disturbing religious institution activities through offensive utterances, gestures, or displays near the place of worship.
Official synopsis: As introduced, creates the Class B misdemeanor offense of interfering with a religious institution if a person acts to intentionally obstruct, disturb, or interfere with the activities of the religious institution by making an utterance, gesture, or display in a manner that is offensive to…
Not out of committeeTaken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee · 2026-04-15
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.