Legislative Bulletin - Mar 16, 2026

As introduced, permits a local government adopting a prohibition of class 1 or class 2 electric bicycles on a bicycle path or trail in a public park or greenway to submit a copy of the resolution or ordinance to the department of safety; authorizes the department to compile and publish to its website a list of public parks and greenways where such operation is prohibited. 

As introduced, prohibits the enforcement of an ordinance governing the discharge of a firearm within city limits, if the responsible individual(s) is otherwise hunting legally. Accordingly, the only restrictions that may be imposed upon any individual seeking to hunt on his/her private property, another’s private property with consent, or on a designated state hunting area that is located within city limits are those included in state law or TWRA regulations. Therefore, any ordinance that regulates the discharge of firearms within the city or imposes restrictions on hunting for public safety reasons would be preempted and unenforceable if this bill is adopted.

As introduced, beginning July 1, 2026, requires all state and local governmental employers to verify the work authorization status of each prospective employee through the federal E-Verify program prior to employment; authorizes the attorney general and reporter to enforce compliance with the requirement against local governments and subjects a non-compliant local government to the withholding of all funds of this state allocated to the local government via grant, contract, or statute, including, but not limited to, state-shared taxes.

As introduced, exempts utility terrain vehicles being operated for agricultural purposes from the restriction that such vehicles are authorized to operate only on certain state highways and county roads with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less.

As introduced, makes certain records regarding immigration enforcement actions confidential and not subject to public disclosure by state or local government entities or officials; punishes as a Class E felony the criminally negligent public release of certain confidential records; expands the grounds for ouster to include the criminally negligent release of certain confidential records.

As introduced, authorizes a law enforcement officer to seize and impound a motor vehicle in any county or municipality that has passed a resolution or ordinance authorizing the seizure and impoundment of a motor vehicle observed by law enforcement to have been used to commit the offense of drag racing or to flee after commission of the offense of drag racing subject to certain restrictions.

As introduced, requires proposed contingent fee contracts for legal services between a political subdivision of this state and a private-sector attorney to be approved by the attorney general and reporter prior to execution of the contract.

As introduced, restates the criminal offense of drag racing as street drag racing; expands the offense to include acts committed on commercial property; authorizes a vehicle used in the commission of the offense or to flee after commission of the offense to be impounded for the purpose of collecting evidence; makes various other changes regarding the offense of street drag racing.

As introduced, excludes automated driving system (ADS)-operated vehicles used to transport property for hire in interstate commerce or to transport passengers for hire from the exemption allowing ADS-operated vehicles to be operated without a human driver physically present.

As introduced, establishes process regarding traffic violations committed by autonomous vehicles, including mailing the notice of violation or citation to the registered owner of the vehicle.

As introduced, makes changes to the process by which local governments may issue and sell grant anticipation notes; authorizes the comptroller to approve certain notes issued by a local government if the local government demonstrates that a natural disaster has caused economic distress.

As introduced, authorizes certain counties to adopt a resolution prohibiting a municipality or regional zoning commission from exercising zoning authority outside of the boundaries of the municipality. 

As introduced, requires the department of transportation to allocate federal and state funds to rural planning organizations in parity with its allocation of such funds to metropolitan planning organizations.

As introduced, authorizes a local government to publish certain notices electronically online for the purposes of satisfying public notice requirements. This is a TML sponsored bill.

As introduced, authorizes recall elections for elected members of a local legislative body, city and county mayors, sheriffs, trustees, registers, clerks, assessors of property, and members of a school board.

As introduced, authorizes a local government having revenues of at least $20 million in the prior fiscal year to use any project delivery method that the local government determines most effectively meets the needs of the local government for the construction of qualified local projects.

As introduced, expands the length of the existing Independence Day and New Year sales periods and adds new Memorial Day and Labor Day sales periods for seasonal retailers of fireworks for the 2026 retail period; increases the seasonal retailer permit fee from $100 to $150 for calendar year 2026; and authorizes the state fire marshal to promulgate rules to effectuate the act.

As introduced, requires a municipality to obtain approval of a proposed annexation from the county legislative body; requires the municipality to submit certain reports to the county legislative body regarding the proposed annexation.

As introduced, establishes limitations on the property tax rates set by a county or municipality.

As introduced, establishes that a moveable structure does not include any mobile home or other moveable structure that is used temporarily for either a residence or apartment, with regards to property tax assessments.

As introduced, removes the requirement that industrial, commercial, or other businesses, permitted to operate under zoning regulations or exceptions thereto, immediately preceding a change in zoning, may only destroy present facilities and reconstruct new facilities necessary to the conduct of such industry or business, subsequent to the zoning change. Removes the requirement that any structure rebuilt on a site conform to existing zoning regulations as to setbacks, height, bulk, or requirements as to the physical location of a structure upon the site.

As amended, requires, by January 1, 2027, the chief law enforcement officer of each law enforcement agency (LEA) to enter into a memorandum
of agreement (MOA) with federal officials concerning enforcement of federal immigration laws, detention and removals, and investigations in the state pursuant to federal law. Establishes that a violation of this requirement may result in the state withholding all funds of the state allotted to the
LEA or to the local government for use by the LEA. As introduced, requires a local government entity to comply with a court order regarding an unlawful sanctuary policy within 120 days of the issuance of the court's order.

As introduced, specifies circumstances in which a referendum will not be required to effectuate annexation of territory; removes repealer provision for exceptions to the referendum requirement.

As introduced, authorizes municipalities, including those with home rule charters, and metropolitan forms of government to adopt a tiered system of monetary penalties for repeated violations of the same municipal ordinance by the same person or entity within a 12-month period.

Requires a law enforcement agency to communicate with local government entities and officials to submit quarterly reports to the Centralized Immigration
Enforcement Division (CIED) within the Department of Safety (DOS) regarding illegal activities, including criminal gang activities and violations of federal immigration laws, of persons who are not lawfully present in the United States. Creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for a law enforcement employee or official that fails to report an individual to the CIED, who is not a United States citizen or qualified alien who has been charged or convicted of a criminal offense.

As introduced, beginning July 1, 2026, requires all state and local governmental employers to verify the work authorization status of each prospective employee through the federal E-Verify program prior to employment; authorizes the attorney general and reporter to enforce compliance with the requirement against local governments and subjects a non-compliant local government to the withholding of all funds of this state allocated to the local government via grant, contract, or statute, including, but not limited to, state-shared taxes.

As introduced, requires the legislative body of each municipality to change the date of municipal elections to coincide with the August primary or November general election; makes municipal elections partisan.

As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Transactional Gold and Silver Act," which recognizes gold and silver as legal tender for private transactions and, when accepted, for paying state and local taxes or fees; authorizes the creation of a secure bullion depository and an electronic payment system to support the use of gold and silver; exempts gold and silver transactions from state and local taxation.

As introduced, limits the setting of the tax rate on property by a county, municipality, metropolitan government, or other taxing entity in any fiscal year at a rate that would render in total receipts from all levies an amount more than the receipts from that source from the immediately preceding fiscal year for the county, municipality, metropolitan government, or other taxing jurisdiction, plus an additional 2 percent, subject to certain exceptions; establishes a procedure by which the 2 percent increase may be exceeded by passage of a referendum.

As introduced, authorizes certain counties to adopt a resolution prohibiting a municipality or regional zoning commission from exercising zoning authority outside of the boundaries of the municipality. 

As introduced, prohibits the state or a county or municipal government, in connection to a development property, from requiring a landowner, developer, or builder to fund, build, or contribute to the development of: (1) nonessential infrastructure that is not contiguous or adjacent to a development property of a landowner, developer, or builder; or (2) nonessential infrastructure beyond the anticipated infrastructure needed for the development property as
estimated at the start of the development of the development property. Specifies that “development of a property” constitutes any point from the initial planning stage through to the completion of the development property.

As introduced, eliminates liability for rollback taxes on agricultural, forest, or open space land with a greenbelt classification when the land is sold; requires that a buyer of property with a greenbelt classification submit a new application to renew the property's greenbelt classification.

As introduced, authorizes a political subdivision to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with a developer for the development of certain public infrastructure.

As introduced, requires that a reduction of the allocations and distributions of certain tax and other revenues to counties and municipalities due to a population loss based on the revised populations certified by the department of economic and community development be implemented incrementally in 20 percent increments over a five-year period.

As introduced, prohibits an employee of a local government from serving on the legislative body of the local government for which the employee works.

As introduced, increases from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, the deadline by which applications for permits for public fireworks displays must be made in writing in advance of the proposed display.

As introduced, prohibits a local government from increasing a real property tax rate by an amount that would cause the local government to realize an increase in total revenue exceeding inflation plus 2%, or that would cause the local government to realize an increase in total revenue exceeding inflation plus 2% over the preceding three years, except by a referendum election. This bill requires the governing body of a local government to direct the county election commission to hold a referendum election to raise a real property tax rate by an amount that exceeds the limitations described above, upon the adoption of a resolution or ordinance by a two-thirds majority vote. 

As introduced, makes various changes to laws regarding utilities, including the procedure for consolidation of utilities and continuing education requirements for members of utility governing bodies.

As introduced, eliminates liability for rollback taxes on agricultural, forest, or open space land with a greenbelt classification when the land is sold; requires that a buyer of property with a greenbelt classification submit a new application to renew the property's greenbelt classification.

As introduced, establishes that public water systems have a maximum allowable hardwater level of 180 mg/L, measured as calcium carbonate equivalents; creates compliance and reporting requirements; exempts measurements that exceed the limit due to seasonal runoff in certain circumstances.

As introduced, prohibits the state or a county or municipal government, in connection to a development property, from requiring a landowner, developer, or builder to fund, build, or contribute to the development of: (1) nonessential infrastructure that is not contiguous or adjacent to a development property of a landowner, developer, or builder; or (2) nonessential infrastructure beyond the anticipated infrastructure needed for the development property as
estimated at the start of the development of the development property. Specifies that “development of a property” constitutes any point from the initial planning stage through to the completion of the development property.

As introduced, authorizes municipalities to levy a tax on the privilege of engaging in the act of development within the boundaries of the municipality; requires such tax to be levied at the rate and under the terms, conditions, and limitations contained in present law that apply to counties.

As introduced, establishes that a moveable structure does not include any mobile home or other moveable structure that is used temporarily for either a residence or apartment, with regards to property tax assessments.

As amended, requires, by January 1, 2027, the chief law enforcement officer of each law enforcement agency (LEA) to enter into a memorandum
of agreement (MOA) with federal officials concerning enforcement of federal immigration laws, detention and removals, and investigations in the state pursuant to federal law. Establishes that a violation of this requirement may result in the state withholding all funds of the state allotted to the
LEA or to the local government for use by the LEA. As introduced, requires a local government entity to comply with a court order regarding an unlawful sanctuary policy within 120 days of the issuance of the court's order.

As introduced, specifies circumstances in which a referendum will not be required to effectuate annexation of territory; removes repealer provision for exceptions to the referendum requirement.

As introduced, establishes that public water systems have a maximum allowable hardwater level of 180 mg/L, measured as calcium carbonate equivalents; creates compliance and reporting requirements; exempts measurements that exceed the limit due to seasonal runoff in certain circumstances.

As introduced, expands the length of the existing Independence Day and New Year sales periods and adds new Memorial Day and Labor Day sales periods for seasonal retailers of fireworks for the 2026 retail period; increases the seasonal retailer permit fee from $100 to $150 for calendar year 2026; and authorizes the state fire marshal to promulgate rules to effectuate the act.

As introduced, makes various changes to laws regarding utilities, including the procedure for consolidation of utilities and continuing education requirements for members of utility governing bodies.

As introduced, authorizes municipalities, including those with home rule charters, and metropolitan forms of government to adopt a tiered system of monetary penalties for repeated violations of the same municipal ordinance by the same person or entity within a 12-month period.

As introduced, authorizes local governments to adopt a process by which local elected officials may be removed from office in a recall election.

As introduced, allows a municipal court to order a municipality to remedy a property maintenance ordinance violation when the person or entity found to be in violation of a municipal ordinance related to property maintenance fails to remedy the violation within 30 days; requires the cost of the remediation to be assessed against the property owner in the form of a lien upon the property in favor of the municipality.

As introduced, removes the requirement that industrial, commercial, or other businesses, permitted to operate under zoning regulations or exceptions thereto, immediately preceding a change in zoning, may only destroy present facilities and reconstruct new facilities necessary to the conduct of such industry or business, subsequent to the zoning change. Removes the requirement that any structure rebuilt on a site conform to existing zoning regulations as to setbacks, height, bulk, or requirements as to the physical location of a structure upon the site.

As introduced, authorizes a local government having revenues of at least $20 million in the prior fiscal year to use any project delivery method that the local government determines most effectively meets the needs of the local government for the construction of qualified local projects.

As introduced, authorizes the seizure and impoundment of a motor vehicle used in drag racing, based on probable cause, for a maximum of 72 hours; authorizes owner of motor vehicle to contest seizure in administrative or judicial hearing.

As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Transactional Gold and Silver Act," which recognizes gold and silver as legal tender for private transactions and, when accepted, for paying state and local taxes or fees; authorizes the creation of a secure bullion depository and an electronic payment system to support the use of gold and silver; exempts gold and silver transactions from state and local taxation.

As introduced, directs the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to perform a study of this state's emergency communications system.

As introduced, increases from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, the deadline by which applications for permits for public fireworks displays must be made in writing in advance of the proposed display.

As introduced, directs the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to perform a study of this state's emergency communications system.

As introduced, establishes limitations on the property tax rates set by a county or municipality.

As introduced, eliminates liability for rollback taxes on agricultural, forest, or open space land with a greenbelt classification when the land is sold; requires that a buyer of property with a greenbelt classification submit a new application to renew the property's greenbelt classification.

As introduced, requires a municipality to obtain approval of a proposed annexation from the county legislative body; requires the municipality to submit certain reports to the county legislative body regarding the proposed annexation.

As introduced, removes the criminal offense of possession of a weapon in a building or on property that is properly posted; removes the requirement that the department of safety suspend or revoke a handgun carry permit for a violation of that offense by a handgun permit holder. 

As introduced, requires 95.3970 percent, instead of 100 percent, of sales and use tax revenue generated from the sale of new or used tires to be deposited in the highway fund; adds 95.3970 percent of sales and use tax revenue generated from the sale of new or used motor vehicles to be deposited in the highway fund; requires the remaining 4.6030 percent of such revenue to be allocated to the several incorporated municipalities; allocates single article sales tax collections on the retail sale of new or used motor vehicles to the highway fund.

As introduced, requires proposed contingent fee contracts for legal services between a political subdivision of this state and a private-sector attorney to be approved by the attorney general and reporter prior to execution of the contract.

As introduced, authorizes a local government to publish certain notices electronically online for the purposes of satisfying public notice requirements. This is a TML sponsored bill.

Makes various changes to the Real Estate Infrastructure Development Act of 2025 (Act). Authorizes central business improvement districts (CBIDs) to overlap areas within an infrastructure development district (IDD), created by a municipality pursuant to the Act. Clarifies that, when a district must be approved by two or more host municipalities, and a governing body makes approval contingent on the approval of another governing body, host municipalities are authorized to hold separate public hearings. Requires the establishment resolution of an IDD provide the maximum rate of levy of the special
assessment to be imposed. Authorizes a host municipality to issue bonds separately for each phase of development, whose term of life cannot exceed 30 years from the date of issuance of bonds for its respective phase. Revises the term of dissolution for IDDs Specifies that a portion of special assessments, rather than up to five percent, may be set aside for the actual costs of administrative expenses.

As introduced, authorizes the executive director of the wildlife resources agency to enter into agreements with local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing wildlife management laws and rules; creates a Class B misdemeanor for feeding black bears in areas for which notice has been posted that feeding black bears is unlawful.

As introduced, clarifies that a utility system providing waste water service must provide a connection to the owner of real property for waste water service when the utility system has an existing gravity sewer line located adjacent to the owner's property, not just where the utility system has an existing gravity sewer line on such property.

As introduced, requires the executive head of each state department or agency, local government, and public institution of higher education to submit an annual attestation to the comptroller of the treasury that such entity has not implemented a discriminatory preference to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion.

As introduced, requires public libraries established by a county, city, or town to adopt a materials reconsideration policy that provides a process by which any legal resident of the county where the library is located may request that the library withdraw an item from the library's collection or reclassify or move the item to a different area in the library.

As introduced, allows a municipal court to order a municipality to remedy a property maintenance ordinance violation when the person or entity found to be in violation of a municipal ordinance related to property maintenance fails to remedy the violation within 30 days; requires the cost of the remediation to be assessed against the property owner in the form of a lien upon the property in favor of the municipality.

As introduced, adds the governing body of a local education agency and any other local governing body of a public body with the authority to make binding decisions or the ability to appropriate funds to the list of governing bodies that are required to make meeting agendas available to the public in advance of such meetings.

As introduced, authorizes a county mayor and the chief executive officer of a municipality to order the flags flown on county or municipal property to be lowered to half-staff to honor the death of a prominent citizen of that county or municipality.

As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," which entitles a property owner to just compensation from a public entity if the public entity enacts a land use regulation that has the effect of reducing the fair market value of the property.

As introduced, requires the legislative body of each municipality to change the date of municipal elections to coincide with the August primary or November general election; makes municipal elections partisan.

Requires a law enforcement agency to communicate with local government entities and officials to submit quarterly reports to the Centralized Immigration
Enforcement Division (CIED) within the Department of Safety (DOS) regarding illegal activities, including criminal gang activities and violations of federal immigration laws, of persons who are not lawfully present in the United States. Creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for a law enforcement employee or official that fails to report an individual to the CIED, who is not a United States citizen or qualified alien who has been charged or convicted of a criminal offense.

As introduced, authorizes local governmental bodies to conduct certain community meetings via electronic means of communication.

As introduced, repeals the criminal offenses of unlawfully carrying a firearm or club with the intent to go armed and carrying or possessing a weapon in or on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other public recreational buildings and grounds; allows persons convicted of stalking or a misdemeanor domestic violence offense to possess a firearm after five years from the date of conviction.

As amended, authorizes the board of directors of an industrial development corporation (IDC) to initiate a merger with another IDC in the manner provided for public benefit corporations (PBCs) pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. Title 48, Chapter 61. Authorizes an IDC to negotiate and receive from any lessee of the IDC, without any delegation from the municipality, payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) with respect to tax-credit housing projects, despite such PILOT resulting in a reduction in taxes relative to the tax year prior to the year the project became a tax-credit housing project; provided, the chief executive officer of each affected taxing jurisdiction has executed a letter supporting the project. Requires any agreement to accept or waive PILOTs from any of the IDC's lessees to be submitted to the legislative body of the municipality or municipalities making the delegation and any other taxing jurisdiction affected by the delegation. As introduced, authorizes the board of directors of an industrial development corporation to initiate a merger with another corporation in the manner provided for public benefit corporations under the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation Act.