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TennesseeSB 1265114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 53, Chapter 7 and Chapter 380 of the Public Acts of 2023, relative to the inspection of food derived from animals.

Sponsored By: Jack Johnson (Republican)

Became Law

Agriculture, Dept. of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Licenses and inspections for meat plants

Meat plants and custom operations must get a yearly state license. You must apply on department forms, pay an annual fee, allow inspections, and pass a sanitation check. Licenses are for one location, nontransferable, and may be refused for felony or repeated food‑fraud crimes. Only licensed sites can get inspection services. The commissioner can deny, suspend, or revoke a license after notice and a hearing. No inspections happen at an unlicensed site; you may reapply after you fix the problems.

Who pays for inspections and labels

The state pays for required livestock inspections. Plants pay for overtime or holiday inspections and any voluntary inspections. You also pay for marking devices, containers, and labels. The department keeps control of official inspection marks.

Rules for custom meat processing

Some custom operations are exempt from routine state inspection. To qualify, the shop must be licensed, sanitary, and keep custom items separate from food for sale. Every package must be clearly marked "Not for Sale" until delivered to the owner. The department can enter and take samples to confirm you qualify.

New Tennessee meat inspection program

Tennessee creates a state meat inspection program for meat sold inside the state. The program follows federal standards, and the agriculture commissioner runs and enforces it. The state has exclusive authority; local governments may still zone and can cooperate with the state. The law does not cover home slaughter for personal use, retailers or restaurants selling already‑inspected meat, carriers moving inspected meat, or federally inspected or poultry activities; state staff may assist federal inspectors at poultry plants. Federal terms are read in a Tennessee context. Rulemaking and hiring start now. The rest begins 30 days after USDA confirms the state meets federal requirements.

Stronger enforcement on unsafe meat

The department can mark and embargo meat it believes is unsafe or mislabeled. It may allow reprocessing or relabeling and release the product only after reinspection. Selling unmarked custom products, operating without a license, or moving embargoed items is illegal. Violations can be charged as a Class C misdemeanor, or the department may issue a warning or civil penalty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 142 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 92 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2025

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 463

    6/4/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/09/2025

    6/4/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/9/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/28/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0156)

    4/21/2025House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  11. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/16/2025House

  12. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0248)

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    4/15/2025Senate

  14. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/15/2025Senate

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/15/2025Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/14/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/11/2025Senate

  18. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    4/8/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/26/2025Senate

  21. Action deferred in Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee to 3/26/2025

    3/19/2025Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/26/2025

    3/19/2025Senate

  23. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/18/2025Senate

  24. Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/19/2025

    3/13/2025Senate

  25. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

Bill Text

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