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TennesseeSB 1887114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 22, relative to tourism.

Sponsored By: Jack Johnson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Tourist Development, Dept. of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

State match boosts regional tourism budgets

The state gives confirmed regional tourism organizations $2 for every $1 they budget. Each award is at least $35,000 a year. The department can keep unused funds and raise next year's maximum award. These state dollars can also count as the nonfederal match for eligible federal tourism grants.

New rules on spending tourism grants

Confirmed regional tourism organizations operate under the department's supervision and must provide progress reports when asked. They must attend two tourism or organizational conferences each year and send written feedback. Before funds are released, the department must approve planned marketing and see proof of board approval. Funded marketing must fit the state brand and include music, history, family adventure, scenic beauty, or outdoor experiences. Planned marketing spending must be more than the organization's match amount. No more than 40% of funds may pay administrative costs. An organization may request up to 50% for admin on its annual application if it has at least one full‑time tourism position budgeted without program funds.

Standard tourism terms now defined

The law defines key terms like destination marketing organization, tourism, tourism event, promotion, and visitor. A tourist is someone who travels more than 50 miles from home or from out of state. Agencies can use these definitions in several other tourism‑related laws unless those laws say otherwise.

Who can represent each tourism region

Each year, the department confirms one regional tourism organization for each of the nine development districts. Eligible applicants are nonprofit membership groups or tax‑exempt public agencies that market the whole district. Applicants must prove district‑wide support with county mayor letters, county tourism group letters, or a paid‑member list covering every county. If groups dispute representation, the commissioner makes the final decision and notifies them.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 177 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/2/2026

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 3/30/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/30/2026

Yes: 94 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/30/2026

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

SENATE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026Senate

  2. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/7/2026Senate

  3. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/6/2026Senate

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/6/2026House

  5. Concurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0610)

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/2/2026

    3/31/2026Senate

  8. Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0

    3/30/2026Senate

  9. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/30/2026Senate

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/30/2026House

  11. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0610)

    3/30/2026House

  12. Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0

    3/30/2026House

  13. Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/30/2026

    3/27/2026Senate

  14. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    3/24/2026Senate

  15. Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/24/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/24/2026

    3/17/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

    3/10/2026Senate

  18. Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/17/2026

    3/3/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/3/2026

    2/24/2026Senate

  20. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    2/18/2026Senate

  21. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/11/2026Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 2/18/2026

    2/11/2026Senate

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

    2/2/2026Senate

  24. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/22/2026Senate

  25. Filed for introduction

    1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • HA0610 (Substitute)

    3/30/2026

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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