Tennessee House Bill HB1123

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 20, Chapter 1; Title 24, Chapter 5; Title 55, Chapter 12 and Title 56, Chapter 7, relative to civil actions.

Summary

HB1123 makes a narrow change to Tennessee’s civil damages law by increasing the amount referenced in Tennessee Code Annotated § 24-5-113(a)(3) from $4,000 to $25,000. The bill does not create a new cause of action or broadly rewrite civil procedure; instead, it updates a specific monetary threshold used in the civil actions statutes. Because the bill is effective July 1, 2025, it would apply prospectively to cases and claims governed by that statute after the effective date. The practical effect is to raise the dollar amount tied to the statute, which may affect how certain civil claims are valued, litigated, or settled under Tennessee law. The bill amends only one statutory provision, but it is part of a broader title structure that touches civil actions and related legal remedies. The available record shows no committee transcript, no recorded votes, and no formal status information beyond the bill text itself, so there is no documented debate or amendment history to indicate strong support or opposition. Based on the text alone, the measure appears technical and limited in scope rather than controversial. There is no specific evidence in the provided materials of disagreement over the bill’s policy goals, but the main point of possible contention would be the size of the increase—from $4,000 to $25,000—which could be viewed as either an overdue inflation adjustment or a significant expansion of the statutory amount. Any concern would likely come from parties affected by civil liability exposure, insurers, litigants, and attorneys who practice in Tennessee civil courts.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 24-5-113(a)(3) by increasing a statutory dollar amount from $4,000 to $25,000, thereby changing the legal threshold or amount referenced in that civil actions provision. It affects Tennessee civil law and may influence the valuation or handling of certain claims, but it does not otherwise alter the structure of civil procedure or create new rights or duties beyond the revised amount.

Sentiment

The available materials suggest a neutral to mildly supportive posture, with no recorded opposition, committee debate, or vote history to indicate controversy. The bill appears to be a technical statutory update, and the absence of discussion suggests it was not a high-profile or heavily contested measure in the available record.

Contention

The only apparent point of contention is the magnitude of the increase in the statutory amount, from $4,000 to $25,000. Supporters would likely view this as an update to reflect current conditions, while critics could argue it raises exposure in civil cases or changes the balance of litigation incentives. Any practical concern would likely come from insurers, defendants, and civil practitioners rather than from a broader policy dispute.