Bill seeks to improve sidewalk access near public schools
9:30 a.m. - Transportation & Safety - Watch - SB0141 by Sen. Sara Kyle
- The state Transportation Department will establish a grant program to improve sidewalks around public schools under Senate Bill 141.
- For good reason, Tennessee has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation, according to a recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.
$38B Highway Backlog: Bill highlights Republican’s highway funding crisis
9:30 a.m. - Transportation & Safety - Watch - SB0703 by Massey
- Under Gov. Bill Lee and Republican Party control, Tennessee has amassed a $38 billion backlog of road and bridge projects across the state.
- The basic problem here is that the legislature is not providing the Transportation Department with enough annual funding to both maintain the state’s network of highways and address growing congestion issues. Additionally, the state is underinvesting in regional mass transit.
- Rather than proposing actual funding solutions, Republicans will likely advance this bill requiring a state think tank to study “sustainable funding sources” for transportation infrastructure needs.
‘Monsanto Protection Act’ would shield Big Chemical from cancer lawsuits
11 a.m. - Agriculture, Energy & Natural Resources - Watch - SB0527 by Stevens
- A Republican senator has filed a bill that would grant legal immunity to pesticide giant Bayer-Monsanto, preventing victims from suing over harms alleged to be caused by their toxic products.
- The chemical giants have pushed similar legislation in 21 states to shield their companies from Roundup-cancer lawsuits — which have topped 170,000 nationwide.
- If passed, this bill would strip Tennessee farmers and gardeners of their right to hold the pesticide manufacturer accountable, despite mounting evidence and billion-dollar settlements against them.
GOP bill lets developers keep dumping sewage in suburbs
11 a.m. - Agriculture, Energy & Natural Resources - Watch - SB0564 by Pody
- Half of the “alternative” drip-field sewage systems operating in Tennessee are out of compliance, with a quarter actively leaking raw sewage into neighborhoods and waterways.
- Despite clear evidence of failures, Senate Bill 564 would let developers sidestep regulations and continue building these failing systems.
- Environmental groups warn that without statewide design standards, homeowners and HOAs will be left to deal with more sewage disasters while developers pocket the profits.
- NewsChannel 5’s Ben Hall found a luxury home in Wilson County, where sewage was flowing into a drain that leads right to Old Hickory Lake.
Local taxpayers will be forced to pay for state schools they didn’t want
3 p.m. - Education - Watch - SB1310 by Johnson
- Tennessee taxpayers will be forced to fund privately run charter schools approved by an unelected state commission under a new proposal by Gov. Bill Lee.
- The legislation strips local communities of their ability to decide how their education dollars are spent by allowing charter operators to fully bypass locally elected school boards and apply directly to a commission whose members are handpicked by the governor.
- If passed, this measure would shift more public money away from school board-run public schools to charters, leaving taxpayers footing the bill for schools that will not be accountable to their communities.
Voucher scam vultures begin circling for public dollars
3 p.m. - Education - Watch - SB0827 by Hensley
- Like clockwork, pop-up private school companies are pushing legislation that will give them access to Gov. Bill Lee’s voucher scam and millions of tax dollars.
- Senate Bill 827 would make it easier for some online, private schools to qualify for Lee’s program.
8:30 a.m. - Government Operations
1. *SB1316 by Johnson. (HB1330 by Lamberth.)
Boards and Commissions - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 20; Title 33; Title 38; Title 40; Title 52; Title 55; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68; Title 70 and Title 76. As introduced, enacts the "Less is More Act of 2025."
2. *SB0958 by Lamar. (HB1068 by Hakeem.)
Public Funds and Financing - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 67 and Title 71. 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.
3. *SB0444 by Jackson. (HB0501 by Littleton.)
Children and Youth, Commission on - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 37. As introduced, creates the Tennessee juvenile justice review commission to review an appropriate sampling of juvenile justice cases and any critical incidents involving juveniles in order to provide the general assembly with findings and legislative recommendations.
4. *SB0180 by Jackson. (HB0285 by Lafferty.)
Administrative Procedure (UAPA) - As introduced, generally establishes that permanent rules filed in the office of the secretary of state on or after January 1, 2024, that are in effect on the effective date of this act, and that are scheduled for expiration on June 30, 2025, do not expire on June 30, 2025, but remain in effect until repealed or amended by subsequent rule of the appropriate rulemaking agency or until otherwise superseded by legislative enactment.
9:30 a.m. - Transportation & Safety Committee
1. SB0141 by Kyle. (*HB0016 by Clemmons.)
Traffic Safety - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 54 and Title 55. As introduced, requires the department of transportation to establish and administer a student pedestrian protection grant program; under certain conditions, authorizes grants to be awarded to local governments for designing, constructing, and repairing sidewalk infrastructure around public schools.
2. SB1374 by Watson. (*HB1118 by Vital.)
Emergency Communications Districts - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 9, Part 4. As introduced, authorizes a motor vehicle operated by an emergency communications district that is marked as a mobile command vehicle or mobile communications vehicle to display flashing red or white lights or a combination of flashing red and white lights.
3. *SB0653 by Crowe. (HB0655 by Hicks T.)
Special License Plates - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4. As introduced, exempts new specialty earmarked license plates for which the funds are allocated to, and used by, a nonprofit organization to support state historic sites from meeting the minimum initial issuance requirement of 1,000 plates and the minimum issuance requirement of 800 plates upon renewal.
4. SB0596 by Gardenhire. (*HB0615 by Travis.)
Traffic Safety - Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 65. As introduced, requires a motor vehicle exceeding 75 feet in length and hauling a load of poles, logs, or timber to haul the load on a trailer having an extendable and retractable rear impact protection or to be followed by an escort vehicle that is signed.
5. *SB1420 by Akbari. (HB1378 by Harris.)
Driver Licenses - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50. As introduced, requires written examinations administered to applicants for a driver license or intermediate driver license to include questions concerning hand signals used by operators of bicycles to communicate turning, slowing, and stopping.
6. *SB1308 by Johnson. (HB1320 by Lamberth.)
Transportation, Dept. of - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 12 and Title 54. As introduced, in the event of a transportation system failure or other emergency, grants the commissioner emergency contracting authority to enter into contracts for design-build, construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC), and progressive design-build (PDB) services for the delivery of transportation projects; exempts the department from having to identify such contracts exceeding $100 million in its transportation improvement program submitted annually to the general assembly in support of its annual funding recommendations, if they are issued under such emergency contracting authority; makes other revisions to the CM/GC and PDB process.
Fine.
7. SB0954 by Powers. (*HB0975 by Burkhart.)
Traffic Safety - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 8. As introduced, authorizes counties to delegate authority to the chief administrative officer of the county highway department to set lower speed limits on county roads if the department employs an engineer who is capable of completing required engineering and traffic investigations.
8. *SB0703 by Massey. (HB0736 by Vital.)
Highways, Roads and Bridges - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 54 and Title 55. As introduced, requires TACIR to study sustainable funding sources that meet this state's future transportation infrastructure needs and submit its recommendations to the chair of the committee in the house of representatives with jurisdiction over transportation matters, the chair of the transportation and safety committee of the senate, and the legislative librarian on or before January 15, 2026.
Not a bad idea. Tennessee has a $39B road backlog.
9. SB1069 by Johnson. (*HB0974 by McCalmon.)
Motor Vehicles - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 17 and Title 62, Chapter 19. As introduced, allows the prior written notification that an auctioneer is required to send to the motor vehicle commission of the time and place of an auction where motor vehicles at a going-out-of-business sale will be sold to be sent electronically.
11 a.m. Agriculture, Energy & Natural Resources
1. *SB0527 by Stevens. (HB0809 by Grills.)
Pest Control - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 8. As introduced, specifies that a manufacturer or seller of a pesticide registered with the commissioner of agriculture and with the environmental protection agency under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is not liable in a civil action related to the labeling of the pesticide, if the pesticide bore a label approved by the EPA under FIFRA at the time of sale.
Watch. "liability shield" legislation that protects Bayer-Monsanto from Roundup cancer lawsuits
2. *SB0743 by Yager. (HB0834 by Keisling.)
Environment and Conservation, Department of - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 221, Part 9. As introduced, prohibits the board of water and wastewater operator certification from delegating, by contract or other agreement, to a third-party its authority to determine minimum operator competency or to prepare examinations administered to applicants seeking operator certification; establishes requirements for such examinations and minimum scores required for issuance of a certificate.
3. SB0755 by Yager. (*HB0589 by Jones R.)
Agriculture, Dept. of - Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 1, Part 6. As introduced, extends from five to six years the amount of time after which a nominee to the Tennessee agricultural hall of fame is deceased that the nominee is eligible for induction.
Caption?
4. *SB0281 by Watson. (HB0882 by Travis.)
Environment and Conservation, Department of - 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. 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.
Watch. Looks like an oddly specific exemption to regulation.
5. SB0965 by Hatcher. (*HB0980 by Stinnett.)
Municipal Government - Amends TCA Title 6, Chapter 51 and Title 7, Chapter 69. As introduced, authorizes a tourism development authority to petition for deannexation of property owned by the authority.
6. *SB0191 by Taylor. (HB1338 by Lamberth.)
Public Funds and Financing - Amends TCA Section 9-21-133 and Title 9, Chapter 21, Part 4. As introduced, redefines "local government" to include a water, wastewater, or energy authority for purposes of the present law applicable to bonds and notes issued by local governments; makes other related revisions.
7. SB1140 by Crowe. (*HB0918 by Slater.)
Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - Amends TCA Title 58 and Title 70. As introduced, requires issuance of temporary hunting licenses, of up to seven-days duration and at no cost, to disabled veterans participating in hunting experiences sponsored and paid for by not-for-profit organizations.
9. *SB0564 by Pody. (HB0803 by Grills.)
Water - as amended, creates a right of first refusal for local public utilities (water systems of counties, metro governments, or incorporated cities) once an initial application for a treatment works, which meets department standards, has been submitted by developers of subdivisions for approval by the utility.
Watch. Allows developers to sidestep local sewage utilities and contract private companies to engineer and build "alternative" sewer systems that , according to TDEC, are having big problems across the state. Developers make their money and then pass future costs and headache of poorly engineered systems onto homeowners and HOAs.
TDEC: Half of the state’s sewage drip systems are out of compliance and a quarter are actively leaking raw sewage into adjacent properties
9. *SB0558 by Reeves. (HB0921 by Cepicky.)
Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - Amends TCA Title 70. As introduced, authorizes the commission to regulate the operation of sport shooting ranges rather than firing ranges; authorizes the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to establish fees for the use of such ranges in operation prior to July 1, 1998.
10. *SB0884 by Reeves. (HB1143 by Boyd.)
Energy - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 64; Title 65; Title 67 and Title 68. As introduced, clarifies that a political subdivision that imposes requirements or expectations related to the type of clean or green, or renewable, energy used by a public utility in an ordinance, resolution, or other regulation must include certain sources of energy as permissible sources of clean or green, or renewable, energy, regardless of whether the political subdivision classifies the requirements or expectations as relating to clean or green, or renewable, energy.
Watch. Looks like something utilities want to avoid decarbonization.
11. *SB0885 by Reeves. (HB1133 by Boyd.)
Taxes - Amends TCA Title 67. As introduced, allows nuclear energy production facilities to seek pollution control tax credits for certain machinery and equipment.
Watch. Interesting details in the fiscal note: There is one small modular reactor (SMR) planned to begin operations by 2033. It is assumed that the proposed exemption will apply to machinery and equipment purchased with regards to the construction of the SMR, if such purchases are not made directly by TVA. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) January 2024 report entitled Capital Cost and Performance Characteristics for Utility-Scale Electric Power Generating Technologies, capital costs for an SMR range between $1,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000. According to the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council’s Final Report and Recommendations released in October 2024, the construction costs of an SMR in Tennessee is estimated to be approximately $1,400,000,000.
12. *SB0438 by Reeves. (HB0667 by Terry.)
Environment and Conservation, Department of - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 11; Title 13; Title 20; Title 28; Title 39; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 59; Title 62; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69. As introduced, requires the department to publish its annual report to the governor and the general assembly on its website.
Watch. Caption
13. SB0874 by Reeves. (*HB0901 by Todd.)
Agriculture - Amends TCA Title 43. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Century Farms Act" for the purpose of recognizing the historical significance of family farms that have been in continuous operation in this state for over 100 years and to highlight their contribution to agriculture in and the economy of this state.
14. Dept. of Tourism Development -- Budget Hearing
1 p.m. Health & Welfare
1. SB1288 by Johnson. (*HB0106 by Lamberth.)
Human Services, Dept. of - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 71, Chapter 3, Part 5. As introduced, makes various changes to the licensing exemption categories for programs and activities that fall within the definition of a child care agency, including adding gym care and Tennessee professional sport event care program requirements; specifies that a program that does not provide child care for five or less children in certain circumstances is not subject to licensure; removes the requirement for a drop in center that provides child care for certain hours to register as casual care.
2. *SB0359 by Briggs. (HB1203 by Kumar.)
Medical Occupations - Amends TCA Title 63. As introduced, authorizes a healthcare provider’s licensing board to issue a license subject to a private advocacy order which requires the applicant to participate in a peer assistance program approved by the board; designates private advocacy orders as confidential and not public records, as long as the provider does not fail to maintain participation in the peer assistance program and requires the initiation of disciplinary proceedings by the board.
3. *SB0871 by Hensley. (HB1192 by Cepicky.)
General Assembly, Directed Studies - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71. As introduced, directs TACIR to conduct a study and prepare a report on recommendations on the continuum of care in this state and how the continuum of care can be improved; requires the study and report to survey the continuum of care in other states and compare such care to the continuum of care in this state; requires TACIR to submit the report on or before January 1, 2026, to each member of the general assembly and the legislative librarian; permits the report to be submitted electronically.
4. *SB0449 by Massey. (HB0533 by Rudder.)
Health Care - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68. As introduced, enacts the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act."
5. SB0224 by Taylor. (*HB0062 by Cepicky.)
Athletic Trainers - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 63. As introduced, authorizes athletic trainers to use dry needling to carry out the practice of prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, disposition, treatment, or rehabilitation of athletic injuries; requires the board of athletic trainers to establish minimum competency requirements for an athletic trainer to demonstrate in order to practice dry needling.
6. SB1390 by Watson. (*HB0782 by Martin G.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 71. As introduced, directs the director to establish an additional PACE program as a pilot in one of the two grand divisions where a PACE program did not exist in 2024; permits a current PACE program in a county with a specific population to expand into contiguous counties having specifically listed populations.
7. SB0501 by Akbari. (*HB0015 by Love.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 71, Chapter 5. As introduced, authorizes the governor to expand medicaid eligibility solely for the purpose of providing treatment for a patient with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease in accordance with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and to negotiate with the centers for medicare and medicaid services with respect to the terms of such expansion.
8. SB1178 by Akbari. (*HB0712 by Hale.)
Disability and Aging, Dept. Of - Amends TCA Title 52 and Title 71. As introduced, directs the commissioner to develop guidelines for service providers for hiring qualified family members as a family care giver; specifies that the department shall not prohibit qualified individuals from employment as a family care giver at a service provider agency based on certain listed criteria; directs the director of TennCare to develop guidelines for service providers for hiring qualified family members as a family care giver; specifies that the bureau of TennCare shall not prohibit qualified individuals from employment as a family care giver at a service provider agency based on certain listed criteria.
9. *SB0576 by Haile. (HB0829 by Hicks G.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5. As introduced, authorizes the bureau of TennCare to submit its report on the annual coverage assessment to the finance, ways and means committees and health committees of both houses more frequently than quarterly.
Caption.
10. *SB0321 by Massey. (HB0498 by Hale.)
Health Care - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62 and Title 63. As introduced, creates the advisory task force on state reimbursement rates to make recommendations on annual adjustments to rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services, the purpose of which is to ensure such reimbursement rates are adequate.
11. *SB0789 by Walley. (HB0959 by Hemmer.)
Medical Occupations - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 63. As introduced, changes the term "temporary license" to "associate license" for a marriage and family therapist who has completed the academic coursework and training required for the license and who has successfully passed the examination required by the board; redefines an approved supervisor for marital therapy and counseling services to no longer include a board-approved marriage and family supervisor; redefines the exemptions to current law for professional counselors and marital and family therapists.
12. *SB0264 by Hensley. (HB0385 by Butler.)
Taxes - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4. 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.
Need more info
13. *SB0267 by Hensley. (HB0702 by Leatherwood.)
Health Care - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 29. Establishes that a collection station operated by a medical laboratory owner that is a licensee of a medical laboratory in this state does not require an additional license, without regard to where specimens collected at the medical laboratory owner's collection stations are transported, as long as the medical laboratory owner of the licensed medical laboratory retains ownership and oversight of the collection stations, including maintaining and producing all relevant and non-privileged records associated with the collection stations for purposes of oversight by the Medical Laboratory Board.
14. SB 0849 *Lamar (HB 0960 by *Love) Medical Occupations- As introduced, requires the board of medical examiners, the board of osteopathic examination, and the board of examiners in psychology to each develop and offer an optional course in maternal mental health when establishing continuing medical educational requirements for persons licensed to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, or psychology, respectively. - Amends TCA Title 63
14. TennCare -- Budget Hearing
3 p.m. CT Education
1. SR0016 by McNally.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Marsha Johnson, State Board of Education
2. *SJR0094 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - David Watson, University of Tennessee Board of Trustees
3. *SJR0093 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Donnie Smith, University of Tennessee Board of Trustees
4. *SJR0092 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - John Compton, University of Tennessee Board of Trustees
5. *SJR0096 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Allen Carter, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Advisory Board
6. *SJR0117 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Stefan Maupin, University of Tennessee at Martin Advisory Board
7. SR0012 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Deanne Dewitt, Tennessee Board of Regents
8. SR0013 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Jeremy Harrell, Tennessee Board of Regents
9. SR0011 by Johnson.
General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Nisha Powers, Tennessee Board of Regents
10. SB1291 by Johnson. (*HB0114 by Lamberth.)
Scholarships and Financial Aid - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 10. As introduced, makes various changes to the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act.
11. *SB1310 by Johnson. (HB1322 by Lamberth.)
Schools, Charter - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 13. As introduced, establishes a process by which the governing body of an existing public charter school may replicate that public charter school in the same district by applying to the local board of education or directly to the Tennessee public charter school commission; allows, in certain circumstances, a public charter school sponsor to apply directly to the commission to open a new public charter school; makes various changes to the state agencies responsible for performing certain