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TennesseeHB 1330114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, 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, relative to the Less is More Act of 2025.

Sponsored By: William Lamberth (Republican)

Became Law

Boards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

New CPA education and experience rules

The board only grants or renews CPA certificates when you meet the listed qualifications, starting July 1, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2026, you must have either 150 semester hours with an accounting concentration, or 120 hours that meet a board‑approved equivalency. If you use the 150‑hour path, you must show one year of verified experience. If you use the 120‑hour path, you must show two years of verified experience. Experience must be in approved accounting or related work and verified by a licensee.

Reciprocal licenses for many professions

Beginning July 1, 2025, state licensing authorities can make reciprocity deals with other states. Under these agreements, people or businesses licensed elsewhere can get a Tennessee license on agreed terms. Each authority can write rules to carry out the agreements under the state rulemaking process.

Remote participation in public meetings

Beginning July 1, 2025, governing bodies can let members join by live video or audio. The public must be able to watch or listen live, and comment when allowed. Notices must explain electronic participation and name a physical location. Votes are by roll call, and a recording must be posted within two business days. A physical quorum must meet at least once per year; remote members count for quorum and votes but not for pay tied to being in person.

Barber and school inspections set by rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, the board decides how often to inspect barber schools and shops. The law removes the fixed “annual” inspection requirement. The board must write rules that set how often shops and schools are inspected after the first inspection. Depending on the rules, inspections could happen more or less often.

Real estate license penalties capped, easier return

Starting July 1, 2025, the penalty for an expired real estate license is $100 per month, capped at 12 months ($1,200 max). If you pass the exam, you must apply within one year or retake the exam; the commission can waive this rule. If your license expired over two years ago and was not temporarily retired, you can reactivate by paying the capped penalty and finishing a commission‑approved 30‑hour course. If your license was temporarily retired, you can reinstate by proving the classroom hours you would have needed or by taking a commission‑approved 30‑hour course.

Licensing for CHOICES disability services

Starting July 1, 2025, the state can license services and facilities that run the Employment and Community First CHOICES program and successors. These facilities are added to the list of licensable types. The goal is stronger oversight of supports and community living for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and severe behavioral or psychiatric conditions.

Easier for out-of-state CPAs

Starting July 1, 2025, if you hold a valid CPA license from another state and had passed the Uniform CPA Exam, the Tennessee board must issue you a Tennessee CPA certificate. You may also practice in Tennessee without notice or fees if your main office is outside Tennessee and your home‑state license stays valid. You must stop offering services here if that license becomes invalid. Tennessee keeps full investigative and disciplinary authority.

90‑day deadline replaces 30 days

Starting July 1, 2025, any 30‑day deadline in §4‑51‑103(f) is now 90 days. People and agencies have three months instead of one to act under that rule.

Geologist regulatory fund renamed

On July 1, 2025, the “geologist and soil scientist regulatory fund” is renamed the “geologist regulatory fund.” All money stays in the fund and goes to the state treasurer. The fund does not revert to the general fund, and balances carry forward to pay program costs.

Court reporter licensing now centralized

Beginning July 1, 2025, the commerce and insurance commissioner runs court reporter licensing. The commissioner sets rules, fees, exams, and keeps registries. Licenses last two years, and you must pass one of the listed national exams. A court reporter does not need to be a notary to give oaths while working. All fees go into the Tennessee court reporting fund and only pay program costs. The commissioner may study a transcript reimbursement fund if money is available.

Standard terms for state boards

Beginning July 1, 2025, one commission has 25 members. Most member terms run four years from July 1 to June 30, with vacancies filled only for the rest of a term. After older terms end, new terms follow the same July 1 to June 30 schedule, and some specified members serve three‑year terms. Membership ends if a person no longer holds the seat they represent. An industry board must now appoint three members from each of the state’s three grand divisions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Lamberth

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rush Bricken

    Republican • House

  • Mark Cochran

    Republican • House

  • Ron M. Gant

    Republican • House

  • Justin Lafferty

    Republican • House

  • Chris Todd

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 232 • No: 63

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 3 4/21/2025

Yes: 60 • No: 31

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/17/2025

Yes: 24 • No: 6

House vote • 4/10/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/10/2025

Yes: 73 • No: 21

House vote • 4/10/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 24 • No: 2

House vote • 3/26/2025

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote • 3/17/2025

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 2

House vote • 3/12/2025

HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 23 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

HOUSE DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 524

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/21/2025, 07/01/2025, 01/01/2026

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/23/2025House

  8. H. concurred in S. am. no. 3 Ayes 60, Nays 31 PNV 2 HB1330

    4/21/2025House

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/17/2025Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0100)

    4/17/2025Senate

  11. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0332)

    4/17/2025Senate

  12. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA0435)

    4/17/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 6, PNV 2

    4/17/2025Senate

  14. H. Placed on Message Calendar 4/21/2025

    4/17/2025House

  15. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/14/2025Senate

  16. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0094)

    4/10/2025House

  17. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0241)

    4/10/2025House

  18. H. adopted am. (Amendment 3 - HA0242)

    4/10/2025House

  19. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 4 - HA0313)

    4/10/2025House

  20. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/10/2025House

  21. Passed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 21, PNV 0

    4/10/2025House

  22. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/10/2025House

  23. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/10/2025

    4/3/2025House

  24. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/3/2025

    4/2/2025House

  25. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/1/2025House

Bill Text

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