Beacon Impact

2026 OPPOSED BILLS

EXPANDING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

SB1643 (Walley) / HB1544 (Barrett)—EFS Spending

Requires the Tennessee Department of Education to submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing participation, demographics, and total state spending for the Education Freedom Scholarship. 

Read it here: SB1643 (Walley) / HB1544 (Barrett)

SB2441 (Powers) / HB2420 (White)—Virtual School Closure

Requires the commissioner of education to close virtual schools that meet certain performance criteria. 

Read it here: SB2441 (Powers) / HB2420 (White)

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

SB 2131 (Haile) / HB2031 (Faison)—Accessory Dwelling Units

Establishes statewide rules allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in residential areas.

Read it here: SB 2131 (Haile) / HB2031 (Faison) 

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

SB1958 (Stevens) / HB1971 (Farmer)—Private Cause of Action Repeal

Repeals TCA 1-3-121, removing the right of Tennesseans to have a private cause of action against the government. 

Read it here: SB1958 (Stevens) / HB1971 (Farmer)

SB1731 (Stevens) / HB1791 (Zachary)—State Appeal of Interlocutory Order

Expands when the state may appeal an interlocutory order of a circuit or chancery court. 

Read it here: SB1731 (Stevens) / HB1791 (Zachary)

HEALTHCARE

SB2040 (Harshbarger) / HB1959 (Scarborough)—Pharmacy Benefit Manager Prohibition

Prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or controlling pharmacies in Tennessee, requiring them to divest those interests in order for the pharmacies to maintain a state license.

Read it here: SB2040 (Harshbarger) / HB1959 (Scarborough)

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

SB1832 (Yarbro) / HB1461 (Clemmons)—Data Center Requirements

Imposes new requirements on high-performance computing facilities such as data-processing centers and mandates that 50% of their computing output serve a public benefit. Requires annual reporting, energy-use disclosures, and compliance audits.

 
SB1807 (Bailey) / HB1468 (Clemmons)—Pricing of Goods and Services

Prohibits algorithmic pricing of goods or services. 

Read it here: SB1807 (Bailey) / HB1468 (Clemmons)

SB2653 (Taylor) / HB2392 (Reneau)—Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act

Creates the Tennessee Data Center Impact Review Act, requiring large data centers to obtain a state permit and disclose detailed information about water use, wastewater impacts, and environmental effects before operating in Tennessee. 

Read it here: SB2653 (Taylor) / HB2392 (Reneau)

SB2128 (Taylor) / HB1847 (Butler)—Data Center Infrastructure Costs

Requires that the owner or operator of a data center pay the full cost of any infrastructure needed to support the facility.

Read it here: SB2128 (Taylor) / HB1847 (Butler)