PRIA Logo™
TennesseeSB 1477114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 4, relative to license plates.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Special License Plates

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 13 mixed.

Specialty plate groups gain deadline relief

Beginning July 1, 2026, affected specialty plate programs have until July 1, 2027, to meet minimum issuance requirements. Named programs include Man2Man Prostate Cancer Group, YMCA, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Friends of Warner Parks, and STAR Riding Therapy. They also include Singing for Change, Tennessee Environment & Restoration, Nashville Sounds, Slow Down Move Over, Order of the Eastern Star, Support Our Veterans, and ALS Research. Several additional existing deadlines also move from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. Covered fraternity and sorority plates count together toward issuance minimums, rather than each group's plates counting separately; the law does not state the required number here.

New plate funds abuse victim services

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles can choose a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention plate. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. The sponsoring group helps design the plate. Proceeds go to the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence for statewide awareness, prevention, training, and technical help. Funds also support Tennessee providers offering shelter, crisis help, advocacy, counseling, and related victim services.

New plate supports foster care youth

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles can choose The Bridge House plate. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee. This law does not state the extra fee amount. The sponsor helps design the plate, and proceeds go to The Bridge House, Inc. Funds must support children in foster care or aging out of foster care in Tennessee.

New plates fund history and arts

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain history and arts plates, designed with their sponsors. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. Sons of the American Revolution proceeds support the Tennessee society's patriotism, community service, and education about America's founding principles. Blacksmithing proceeds support Tennessee artisan guilds and the craft through the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths. International Bluegrass Music Association proceeds support its work connecting and educating bluegrass professionals and fans; funds are limited to the stated Tennessee purposes.

New plates honor and support veterans

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee medal recipients who own or lease eligible vehicles gain plates showing their military medals. Covered awards are the Airman's Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Soldier's Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. First applications require the specified military-service proof and award records; later applications by the same recipient do not require them again. Eligible Tennessee owners and lessees also gain a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary or Service plate, designed with Operation Stand Down Tennessee, whose proceeds support veterans and families in Tennessee. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount.

New plates support school and youth sports

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain Blackman Blaze and Knoxville Ice Bears plates. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. Sponsors help design the plates, and money is limited to the stated Tennessee purposes. Blackman proceeds go to the Blackman High School Field Enhancement Organization for a new football field, artificial turf, and scoreboard for all school athletes. Ice Bears proceeds go to its charitable foundation for East Tennessee youth hockey, scholarships, Little League uniforms, school visits, and work with the Knox County Partners in Education Foundation.

New plates fund mental health and cancer

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain new health-related plate options. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. Cowboy Up and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention plates fund suicide prevention, education, awareness, and support in Tennessee. The Christian Brothers High School plate funds adolescent mental health programs at Christian Brothers LaSalle High School. The Childhood Cancer Awareness plate funds Liv - In the Journey Foundation's cancer awareness, research, family support, and advocacy; sponsors help design these plates, and funds are limited to their stated Tennessee purposes.

New plate funds low-income home repairs

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles can choose an Appalachia Service Project plate. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee. This law does not state the extra fee amount. Appalachia Service Project, Inc. helps design the plate and receives its proceeds. Funds support its Tennessee work repairing and replacing homes for low-income families in Central Appalachia.

New plates fund science and energy education

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain Flatrock Motorsports Park and POD256 plates. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. Sponsors help design the plates, and proceeds are limited to the stated purposes in Tennessee. Flatrock proceeds go to the Flatrock Foundation for science, technology, engineering, and math programs in elementary, middle, and high schools. POD256 proceeds go to the 256 Foundation to support educators and open-source developers working on intelligent energy projects.

Specialty plates fund student scholarships

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain scholarship plate options, with sponsors helping design them. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; fee and scholarship amounts are not stated. Ohio State University Alumni Club of Nashville proceeds fund Tennessee high school graduates attending Ohio State, while Tennessee Aviation Association proceeds fund young aviation students in Tennessee. Local Journalism Matters proceeds go to Front Page Foundation for journalism and electronic media scholarships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and communications scholarships at Pellissippi State Community College. Delta Sigma Theta must reissue its plate by January 1, 2027; after state design and manufacturing costs, proceeds go to the Delta Research and Educational Foundation for scholarships at Tennessee schools or for students from Tennessee.

New plates fund small business support

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain three business-support plates, designed with their sponsors. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. LaunchTN proceeds support Launch Tennessee's capital, product-development, and connection work, including its partnership with the Entrepreneurs' Organization of Nashville. Sky City Entrepreneur Center proceeds support its programs, operations, and services for small businesses and startups in Blount County. Foodies of TN proceeds support independently owned local restaurants statewide; all funds are limited to their stated Tennessee purposes.

New plate funds East Tennessee dog rescue

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles can choose an Adopt a Golden plate. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee. This law does not state the extra fee amount. Adopt a Golden Knoxville, Inc. helps design the plate and receives its proceeds. Funds must support rescue, rehabilitation, new homes, and veterinary treatment for Golden Retrievers, golden mixes, and Labrador Retrievers across East Tennessee.

New plates fund trails and wildlife habitat

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain Coalmont OHV Park and Quail Forever plates. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. Sponsors help design the plates, and funds are limited to the stated Tennessee purposes. Coalmont OHV Park, Inc. receives proceeds for equipment, trail growth and maintenance, cabins, and other park amenities. Quail Forever proceeds go to Pheasants Forever, Inc. for upland wildlife habitat, public access, and education.

Specialty plates support local community groups

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee residents who own or lease eligible vehicles gain Back the Blue and Nashville Bourbon Auction plates. Buyers must follow registration laws and pay regular registration plus an extra plate fee; this law does not state the amount. Sponsors help design the plates: Back the Blue proceeds support Tennessee officers and families through the Chattanooga Police Foundation, while Nashville Bourbon Auction proceeds support Nashville-area nonprofits. Friends of Sycamore Shoals Historic Area plate proceeds are restricted to the state historic park, Carter County history projects, and qualifying nonprofits based in Carter County. Those nonprofits must mainly serve animal welfare, food assistance, fire protection, emergency medical transport, or after-school and summer daycare.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Heidi Campbell

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 165 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 2 4/13/2026

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 4/6/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/6/2026

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/9/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

    5/4/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 822

    5/4/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/27/2026Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/17/2026Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/16/2026House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/16/2026Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/15/2026Senate

  8. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. Concurred, Ayes 33, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA0709)

    4/13/2026Senate

  10. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/13/2026

    4/10/2026Senate

  11. Passed H., as am., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 0

    4/6/2026House

  12. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0709)

    4/6/2026House

  13. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0708)

    4/6/2026House

  14. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/6/2026House

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

    3/12/2026House

  16. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/9/2026Senate

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

    3/9/2026Senate

  18. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0613)

    3/9/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/9/2026

    3/6/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. Placed on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

    2/25/2026Senate

  22. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

    1/14/2026Senate

  23. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/13/2026Senate

  24. Filed for introduction

    11/17/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • HA0709

    4/6/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • HA0708

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0613

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation