Tennessee House Bill HB0597

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 2/5/25
• Failed: 3/5/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6, relative to lobbyists.

Summary

HB0597 would amend Tennessee’s lobbyist registration/disclosure law to require a lobbyist to identify each bill or other legislative measure for which the lobbyist is being compensated to support or oppose. The measure is narrowly focused on transparency in lobbying activity and would add a new disclosure item to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6. In practical terms, the bill would make lobbyists report not just who they represent, but also which specific pieces of legislation they are paid to advocate for or against. The requirement would apply to compensated lobbying on individual bills and legislative measures, and the act would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 3-6-302(b)(2), by expanding required lobbyist disclosures. It would affect registered lobbyists and the entities that hire them by imposing a more detailed reporting obligation tied to specific bills and measures, thereby increasing transparency in the legislative process and potentially aiding public oversight of lobbying activity.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests limited support in committee, as the bill failed in the House Public Service Subcommittee by a 2-4 vote. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate to indicate broader support or opposition, but the vote outcome suggests the proposal did not gain enough traction at that stage.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the added disclosure burden on lobbyists and their clients versus the transparency benefits of knowing exactly which bills are being paid advocacy targets. Supporters would generally favor the measure as a good-government reform to illuminate influence on legislation, while opponents may view it as duplicative, administratively burdensome, or potentially exposing strategic advocacy relationships. The subcommittee defeat indicates that at least a majority of members were not persuaded to advance the bill.