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TennesseeSB 1282114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 53-8-103; Title 68, Chapter 110; Title 68, Chapter 111; Title 68, Chapter 14 and Title 68, Chapter 15, relative to health.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Food and Food Products

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Some rentals leave organized camp rules

Upon enactment, some places used only for residential purposes other than camping are excluded from the organized-camp definition. Their sites must be rented for at least one week. They must lack permanent or semi-permanent buildings maintained for an outdoor group living experience as sleeping quarters, restrooms, or kitchens. Cafeterias are also covered by that facility restriction. A separate exclusion covers places established and used as short-term rental units under Tennessee Code § 13-7-602(8).

Food operators get permit fee limits

Beginning January 1, 2026, food service permit fee increases are limited to 3% in a calendar year. Increases are also limited to 5% in each five-year period, starting January 1, 2026. Both limits use the fee established on January 1, 2026 as the base. Increases apply when operators renew permits or apply for new ones. Institutions running several group homes close together pay an institution-level fee rather than separate fees for each home.

Two health requirements occur less often

Upon enactment, the requirement in Tennessee Code § 68-14-303(4) changes from monthly to every three months. The requirement in § 68-14-503(4) changes from every six months to once a year. The supplied text does not identify either activity or show a household dollar effect.

Food operators face payment penalties

Beginning January 1, 2026, permit payments more than 30 calendar days late carry a penalty of half the permit fee. A check returned for any reason also carries a penalty of half the permit fee. Operators must pay the permit fee and any penalties before the permit is issued.

State sets food service permit fees

Beginning January 1, 2026, Tennessee’s health commissioner sets food service permit fees by rule. Covered operations include food service establishments, auxiliary operations, temporary establishments, and farmers market food units. Fees also cover school food services, child care center food services, and qualifying congregate meal sites. Those meal sites must receive funding through the Department of Disability and Aging. Family child care homes and blind vendors covered by state vendor law are excluded. The law sets no dollar amounts; authority to write the fee rules began upon enactment.

Higher charges under organized camp law

Upon enactment, the dollar range in Tennessee Code § 68-110-106 rises from $10–$50 to $50–$100. The supplied summaries disagree about whether this is a licensing fee or a penalty. They do not consistently identify who pays or what triggers the charge.

Several health law provisions are removed

Upon enactment, the law repeals Tennessee Code §§ 68-14-723 through 68-14-726 and all of Title 68, Chapter 111. It also deletes the first two sentences of § 68-15-205. The supplied text does not describe the removed rules, so their effects on costs, access, and protections are unclear.

State can update food safety standards

Upon enactment, the law aligns two state definitions of the Food Code. Both include the 2009 federal Food Code and later editions or portions adopted by the health commissioner through rules. The law does not adopt a later edition by itself.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 132 • No: 1

House vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/16/2025

Yes: 93 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/7/2025

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 05/05/2025, 01/01/2026

    5/13/2025

  2. Pub. Ch. 400

    5/13/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/23/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/22/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/22/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/22/2025Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 93, Nays 1, PNV 0

    4/16/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0176)

    4/16/2025House

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/16/2025House

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

    4/9/2025House

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/7/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 0, PNV 1

    4/7/2025Senate

  14. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0256)

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025

    4/4/2025Senate

  16. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/26/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/26/2025

    3/19/2025Senate

  18. Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/26/2025

    3/19/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/19/2025

    3/12/2025Senate

  20. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  21. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  22. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

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