Legislative Bulletin - Apr 21, 2025

Enacts the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act," which requires that a department, agency, or other unit of state government, county government, municipal government, metropolitan government, or a public institution of higher education shall not maintain or authorize an office or department that promotes or requires discriminatory preferences in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion with all mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, or other declarations by such office or department are void.

As introduced, creates a presumption that the diagnosis of a law enforcement officer or emergency medical responder with post-traumatic stress disorder as the result of responding to certain incidents was incurred in the line of duty for purposes of workers' compensation coverage. 

As amended, requires all sales and use tax revenue generated from the sale of new or used motor vehicles and tires to be deposited in the Highway Fund. Allocates single article sales tax collections on the retail sale of new or used motor vehicles to the Highway Fund. Requires the Department of Transportation (TDOT) to conduct a study determining infrastructure needs, costs, and funding sources for the years 2027, 2050, and 2075, and to report findings and recommendations to certain legislative committees by January 1, 2027. Becomes effective October 1, 2025.  As introduced, directs department of transportation to study transportation infrastructure needs, costs, and funding sources for the years 2026, 2050, and 2075; allocates and deposits tax revenue from the sale and use of new or used motor vehicles and new or used tires in the state highway fund.

As introduced, requires a utility to review plans of development for compliance with water, electric, and natural gas infrastructure codes within 30 days of the plan's submission; authorizes developers to hire a third-party plans examiner in lieu of the utility's review if not timely completed. 

As introduced, requires the department of economic and community development to revise and certify the population of each county and municipality, and the aggregate population of the state, prior to July 1 each year during the interim between the regular decennial federal census to ensure equitable allocation and distribution of the local share of revenue; requires the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, through the Tennessee state data center, to generate annual population estimates for each county and municipality and provide the estimates to the department of economic and community development for review and certification.

As introduced, enacts the "Dismantle DEI Act," which prohibits local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate in order to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace. 

As introduced, requires a utility to review plans of development for compliance with water, electric, and natural gas infrastructure codes within 30 days of the plan's submission; authorizes developers to hire a third-party plans examiner in lieu of the utility's review if not timely completed. 

Enacts the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act," which requires that a department, agency, or other unit of state government, county government, municipal government, metropolitan government, or a public institution of higher education shall not maintain or authorize an office or department that promotes or requires discriminatory preferences in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion with all mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, or other declarations by such office or department are void.

As introduced, requires the department of economic and community development to revise and certify the population of each county and municipality, and the aggregate population of the state, prior to July 1 each year during the interim between the regular decennial federal census to ensure equitable allocation and distribution of the local share of revenue; requires the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, through the Tennessee state data center, to generate annual population estimates for each county and municipality and provide the estimates to the department of economic and community development for review and certification.

As introduced, authorizes local governments to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, including prescribing a distance requirement for such homes from primary schools, preschools, and daycares, regulating the location and operation of such homes, and requiring that prospective residents receive a clinical referral for placement in a sober living home

As introduced, specifies that the vesting period established for a construction project or development plan does not expire because of pending litigation challenging a permit; specifies that the vesting period is tolled while such litigation is pending.

As introduced, reallocates the increase in the rate of sales and use tax from 6 percent to 7 percent pursuant to Chapter 856 of the Public Acts of 2002 by apportioning 4.6030 percent of such increase to municipalities.  This is a TML sponsored bill.

As introduced, creates a presumption that the diagnosis of a law enforcement officer or emergency medical responder with post-traumatic stress disorder as the result of responding to certain incidents was incurred in the line of duty for purposes of workers' compensation coverage. 

As amended, requires all sales and use tax revenue generated from the sale of new or used motor vehicles and tires to be deposited in the Highway Fund. Allocates single article sales tax collections on the retail sale of new or used motor vehicles to the Highway Fund. Requires the Department of Transportation (TDOT) to conduct a study determining infrastructure needs, costs, and funding sources for the years 2027, 2050, and 2075, and to report findings and recommendations to certain legislative committees by January 1, 2027. Becomes effective October 1, 2025.  As introduced, directs department of transportation to study transportation infrastructure needs, costs, and funding sources for the years 2026, 2050, and 2075; allocates and deposits tax revenue from the sale and use of new or used motor vehicles and new or used tires in the state highway fund.