Tennessee House Bill HB0788

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 8 and Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, relative to photo identification licenses.

Summary

HB0788 requires the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to issue a photo identification license free of charge to any person who signs an affidavit stating that they do not have a valid government-issued photo ID. The free photo ID must be available at every location in the state where driver licenses or photo identification licenses are issued. The bill also allows a person who qualifies for the free photo ID to receive it even if they already hold a valid non-photo-bearing driver license. The measure amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. In practical terms, it expands access to state-issued photo identification for people who lack acceptable ID, while removing the usual fee barrier for that specific group.

Impact

The bill changes Tennessee’s driver licensing and photo ID statutes by creating a mandatory no-cost photo identification option for individuals without valid government-issued photo identification. It also overrides existing fee provisions and an existing restriction that could otherwise prevent issuance to someone who already has a valid non-photo-bearing driver license. The affected parties are the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, state licensing offices, and residents who need photo ID for voting, banking, travel, employment, or other identification purposes.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as an access-oriented measure with a generally supportive policy rationale. Its purpose suggests an effort to reduce barriers for residents who lack photo identification, and there is no evidence in the supplied record of organized opposition or amendment activity. The overall tone is neutral to favorable toward expanding access to identification documents.

Contention

The main policy issue raised by the bill is whether the state should provide photo identification at no cost to people who certify they lack government-issued photo ID, and whether that should apply even when the person already has a non-photo driver license. Potential concerns would likely center on administrative cost, verification of eligibility through affidavit, and whether the change could affect existing licensing rules. No specific opposing viewpoints, committee objections, or vote splits are included in the provided record.