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TennesseeSB 1377114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 50 and Title 65, Chapter 15, Part 3, relative to employer-employee relationships.

Sponsored By: Bo Watson (Republican)

Became Law

Insurance, Health, Accident

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Voluntary portable benefits for contractors

Independent contractors can open a portable benefit account. Anyone — you, a hiring party, or an app company — can put in money. Withholding from your pay is allowed only if you sign a clear, written, opt‑in agreement, and you can opt out anytime. These contributions do not decide if you are an employee or a contractor. For marketplace contractors, contributions to the account count as compensation. The law also removes language that said platforms do not provide insurance, so platforms can offer benefits.

New test for control of drivers

When deciding if a company controls, directs, or manages a personal vehicle, Tennessee now uses the twenty‑factor worker test. This ties vehicle control questions to the same factors used for employee versus contractor status. It can change how courts and agencies decide work relationships and liability for drivers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bo Watson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

  • Becky Duncan Massey

    Republican • Senate

  • Shane Reeves

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

  • Brent Taylor

    Republican • Senate

  • Ken Yager

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 17

House vote • 3/20/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/20/2025

Yes: 82 • No: 13

Senate vote • 3/20/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/20/2025

Yes: 27 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 131

    4/8/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/03/2025

    4/8/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/3/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    3/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/24/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    3/24/2025House

  7. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0084)

    3/20/2025Senate

  8. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 3, PNV 2

    3/20/2025Senate

  9. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/20/2025Senate

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/20/2025House

  11. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0054)

    3/20/2025House

  12. Passed H., Ayes 82, Nays 13, PNV 0

    3/20/2025House

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/20/2025Senate

  14. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/20/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/20/2025

    3/18/2025Senate

  16. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0

    3/11/2025Senate

  17. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/11/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/11/2025

    3/5/2025Senate

  19. Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/11/2025

    3/4/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/4/2025

    2/25/2025Senate

  21. Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/4/2025

    2/25/2025Senate

  22. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/24/2025Senate

  23. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  24. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  25. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

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