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TennesseeSB 2642114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 35 and Title 48, relative to charitable organizations.

Sponsored By: Kerry Roberts (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Charitable Solicitations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Good‑faith protections for banks and buyers

Beginning July 1, 2026, a holder or other person who in good faith relies on a charity’s affidavit, and does not know it is wrong, is not liable for delivering property or information. They may rely on the affidavit’s facts without more checks and are not presumed negligent for missing documents. Rights or liens obtained from a charity in reliance on the affidavit stay valid even if the charity later misuses the funds.

Charities can sue for withheld gifts

Beginning July 1, 2026, if a holder refuses to deliver property or information after the deadline (60 days after a complete affidavit, or an approved extension), a charity can sue to recover it. The suit must be filed within one year of the refusal. If the court finds the holder acted unreasonably, it may award actual damages, court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and punitive damages of $500 to $10,000.

Faster transfers to charities after death

Beginning July 1, 2026, when a bank, broker, or plan learns the owner died, it must try within 10 business days to notify each named charity and give contact info. A named charity can file a sworn, notarized affidavit to get the asset or details, with proof like its IRS letter, proof of death, board authority, and a W‑9 (unless the holder waives them). The affidavit counts as complete unless the holder sends a written, specific deficiency within 60 days. After a complete affidavit, the holder must pay or transfer by the earlier of 90 days after the first complete affidavit or 60 days after all required affidavits; a good‑faith dispute allows one 60‑day extension with notice. Transfer agents must change ownership, and anyone who receives the request must verify the charity’s authority within 60 days.

Limits on banks’ charity paperwork

Beginning July 1, 2026, holders may only check identity when someone appears in person for a charity. They may not demand Social Security numbers, birth dates, passport numbers, home contact info, income, assets, marital or family details, run credit or criminal checks, or force the charity to open an account. They may not force co‑beneficiaries to file together, except to close an account or avoid risk after commercially reasonable notice and forms. No ID is required for claims sent by mail or electronically. Holders may share the names of charitable co‑beneficiaries only to help coordinate claims.

What assets are covered, and when

The law defines beneficiary designations and which charitable organizations and purposes qualify. It covers non‑probate transfers like pay‑on‑death accounts, securities, and some employment benefit plans. It does not cover insurance policies, annuities, or other products regulated under Tennessee Title 56. These rules apply to conduct and claims on or after July 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kerry Roberts

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 167 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/30/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 3/30/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/26/2026

Yes: 94 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/19/2026

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/14/2026Senate

  2. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2026House

  3. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Concurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0720)

    3/30/2026Senate

  7. Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 3/30/2026

    3/27/2026Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/26/2026House

  9. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0720)

    3/26/2026House

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

    3/26/2026House

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

    3/23/2026House

  12. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0580)

    3/19/2026Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0

    3/19/2026Senate

  14. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/19/2026Senate

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/19/2026Senate

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

    3/17/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

  18. Reset on Final calendar of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

    2/24/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026

    2/24/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 2/24/2026

    2/17/2026Senate

  21. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

    2/5/2026Senate

  22. Filed for introduction

    2/2/2026Senate

  23. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • HA0720 (Substitute)

    3/26/2026

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0580

    PDF

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