Tennessee House Bill HB0884

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Refer: 3/5/25
• Refer: 3/26/25
• Engrossed: 1/13/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 14, relative to adult-oriented establishments.

Summary

HB0884 amends Tennessee’s definition of an “adult-oriented establishment” in Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 14. The bill replaces the current definition, which focuses on a commercial establishment whose principal or predominant stock or trade is sexually oriented material, devices, paraphernalia, or specified sexual activities, with a broader definition that includes any facility, establishment, business, or service, or portion thereof, that offers sexually oriented material, devices, or paraphernalia; adult cabaret entertainment; or specified sexual activities, and that restricts or purports to restrict admission to adults or a class of adults. The bill is a definitional change, but it can affect how state and local authorities classify and regulate businesses that provide adult entertainment or related content. By expressly adding “adult cabaret entertainment” to the statutory definition, the measure may expand the range of venues subject to Tennessee’s adult-oriented establishment regulations, including licensing, zoning, location, or operational restrictions tied to that classification.

Impact

HB0884 changes the statutory definition in Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-51-1401(5), which is the key term used in the state’s adult-oriented establishment regulatory scheme. The practical effect is to broaden the category of covered businesses by expressly including adult cabaret entertainment, potentially bringing more venues under existing adult-business regulations and any associated local enforcement or permitting rules.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have received generally favorable consideration in committee and on the floor, as reflected by repeated recommendations for passage and substantial majority votes at each stage. At the same time, the recorded nays indicate that the measure was not unanimous and drew meaningful opposition, suggesting some legislators had concerns about the scope or policy implications of expanding the definition of adult-oriented establishments.

Contention

The main point of contention is the expansion of the statutory definition to include adult cabaret entertainment, which may be viewed by supporters as clarifying and updating the law, but by opponents as broadening regulation of expressive or entertainment venues. The votes show opposition at the subcommittee, committee, and floor stages, indicating disagreement over whether the bill simply modernizes terminology or materially expands government authority over adult entertainment businesses.