All Roll Calls
Yes: 111 • No: 30
TennesseeSB 1667114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29; Title 55 and Title 56, relative to motor vehicle financial responsibility.
Sponsored By: Bill Powers (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Motor Vehicles
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.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Repeatedly uninsured owners face crash compensation caps
For cases filed on or after July 1, 2027, the law limits certain crash claims for pain and suffering. The cap is $375,000 when the plaintiff owned or leased the involved vehicle, it lacked required financial responsibility at the crash, and officials issued that owner or lessee at least three separate written notices for that vehicle in the prior three years. Proven catastrophic loss or injury raises the cap to $750,000. The cap excludes non-owner drivers and passengers, claims involving another vehicle, and claims unrelated to operating the specified vehicle. In wrongful-death cases, the deceased person must meet the ownership, coverage, and notice conditions. The defendant must plead and prove the conditions, and courts must read the cap narrowly. When compliance is disputed, the judge or jury deciding the facts must make a specific finding on compliance.
Higher penalties for uninsured vehicle owners
Beginning July 1, 2027, vehicle owners or lessees face a $500 coverage-failure fee, up from $25. Continued failure adds $1,000, up from $100. A repeat notice within three years of the first triggers a single $1,500 fee if required proof or statements are not provided; registration must also be suspended or revoked. The $500, $1,000, and $1,500 fees respectively send $200, $400, and $600 to county clerks, and $50, $100, and $150 to the Department of Safety. The rest goes to the uninsured motorist identification restricted fund; 20% of each clerk share stays reserved for insurance-verification work, even if unspent.
Vehicle owners face stricter registration rules
Beginning July 1, 2027, officials cannot process a first vehicle registration without proof of insurance or another approved financial guarantee. Insurance documents, including phone images, must show at least 30 days of coverage from a Tennessee-authorized insurer. Another option is a one-year Revenue certificate showing a required cash deposit, bond, or self-insurer status. After the specified coverage-failure notice, officials cannot renew registration until all fees are paid and required documents are provided; insurance certificates must promise at least 30 more days of coverage. The first-registration proof rule and notices reminding owners and drivers to carry proof with every registration or renewal end June 30, 2029.
Auto insurers face weekly reporting requirements
Beginning July 1, 2027, auto insurers must use the required IICMVA verification model, subject to statutory exceptions. They must send Revenue or its agent a full coverage list at least weekly, including vehicle identification numbers, insurer codes, policy numbers, and effective dates. Reports may be electronic or use another accepted method; weekly reporting excludes state and local government vehicles and vehicles registered under sections 55-4-122 or 55-4-502. When coverage cannot be verified, insurers using the model must accept unknown-carrier requests or provide a current coverage list upon request. Requests for that current list cannot occur more than once a week.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bill Powers
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Paul Rose
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026
Yes: 68 • No: 22
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/22/2026
Yes: 25 • No: 6
Senate vote • 4/20/2026
SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/25/2026
TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2027
5/27/2026Pub. Ch. 1077
5/27/2026Signed by Governor.
5/22/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/11/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/30/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/30/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
4/24/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 68, Nays 22, PNV 1
4/22/2026HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0642)
4/22/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/22/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/22/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6
4/22/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0855)
4/22/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/22/2026
4/21/2026SenateRecommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
4/20/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
4/16/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
4/14/2026SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
3/25/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
3/18/2026SenateReset on Final calendar of Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
3/11/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
3/4/2026SenateAction deferred in Senate Transportation and Safety Committee to 3/11/2026
3/4/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Transportation and Safety Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
2/25/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
1/21/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0642
Introduced
SA0855
Related Bills
HB 2656, AN ACT to amend Chapter 325 of the Private Acts of 1945; as amended by Chapter 335 of the Private Acts of 1968; Chapter 282 of the Private Acts of 1972; Chapter 23 of the Private Acts of 1973; Chapter 93 of the Private Acts of 1983; Chapter 83 of the Private Acts of 1985; Chapter 218 of the Private Acts of 1990; Chapter 11 of the Private Acts of 1991; Chapter 65 of the Private Acts of 1993; Chapter 90 of the Private Acts of 2000; Chapter 77 of the Private Acts of 2002; Chapter 136 of the Private Acts of 2002; Chapter 27 of the Private Acts of 2011; Chapter 41 of the Private Acts of 2022; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to the City of Lafayette.
SB 1232, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 32, Part 1, relative to expunction of criminal records.
SB 1602, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 55, Chapter 10, relative to leaving the scene of an accident.
SB 1668, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 6 and Title 7, relative to penalties for violations of ordinances.
SB 0254, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, relative to criminal law.
SB 2468, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29 and Title 39, relative to criminal conduct.