All Roll Calls
Yes: 167 • No: 0
TennesseeSB 2642114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 35 and Title 48, relative to charitable organizations.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Charitable Solicitations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Clearer steps for charities claiming inheritances
Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee sets a claim process for charities named to receive property outside wills and trusts. It covers bank accounts, securities, and employment benefit plans, but excludes insurance, annuities, and other products regulated under Title 56. The law applies to conduct and legal claims arising on or after that date. Property holders must try to notify named charities within 10 business days after learning the owner died. Charities can request property or information through a notarized statement signed under penalty of perjury by an authorized representative. The statement identifies the owner, property, charity, and contact person, and says no other entity has a right to that interest. Unless waived, supporting documents include proof of tax-exempt status, organizational existence, death, signing authority, and a signed W-9 tax form. Churches and religious groups can provide a sworn statement instead of a state certificate of existence. Recipients must verify the charity's authority within 60 days after receiving the statement. Holders must provide requested information and transfer property, including changing registered ownership of securities when requested. Distribution is due by the earlier of 90 days after the first complete claim or 60 days after all required claims from identifiable beneficiaries arrive. A good-faith dispute over entitlement adds 60 days only if all potential beneficiaries receive notice within the initial deadline.
Good-faith holders gain charity transfer protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, people delivering property or information in good faith based on a charity's sworn statement gain liability protection. This protection applies when they do not know the statement contains false information. They may rely on its stated facts without further inquiry; incomplete supporting documents do not automatically establish negligence. A charity's later misuse does not invalidate rights or title acquired by a third party for value. Transactions and liens the charity enters into in reliance on the statement remain enforceable against the property.
Stronger protections for charities claiming inheritances
Beginning July 1, 2026, holders generally cannot demand personal identifiers, birth dates, or detailed household finances for charity claims. They also cannot require credit or criminal checks on charity representatives, or force charities to open accounts or become customers. Holders may check government-issued photo identification only during an in-person visit to verify identity and authority. Co-beneficiaries generally do not have to file together or meet shared deadlines. A single final distribution can require joint filing under standard account practices, after reasonable efforts to notify charities and provide forms. Co-beneficiary names may be shared for cooperation, but individual beneficiary identities otherwise remain private. A claim is complete when required information and documents are supplied and no written notice of a specific defect arrives within 60 days. Charities can sue for property or information after the applicable 60-day response period, including an allowed 60-day dispute extension. They must sue within one year of the refusal or failure. If a holder acts unreasonably, courts may award actual damages, court costs, reasonable lawyer fees, and punitive damages of $500 to $10,000.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Janice Bowling
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
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
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
4/24/2026Pub. Ch. 741
4/24/2026Signed by Governor.
4/14/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/2/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/2/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/1/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/1/2026SenateConcurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0720)
3/30/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 3/30/2026
3/27/2026SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
3/26/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0720)
3/26/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
3/26/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/23/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/19/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/19/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0
3/19/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0580)
3/19/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/19/2026
3/17/2026SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
3/3/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
2/24/2026SenateReset on Final calendar of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
2/24/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
2/17/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
2/5/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
2/2/2026SenateFiled for introduction
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA0720 (Substitute)
3/26/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0580
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