Tennessee House Bill HB1408

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/25
• Refer: 2/24/25
• Refer: 4/15/25
• Engrossed: 4/16/25
• Enrolled: 4/29/25
• Passed: 5/21/25
• Chaptered: 5/27/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 29; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 57; Title 58; Title 59; Title 60; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69; Title 70 and Title 71, relative to statutory revisions required for implementation of the annual appropriations act.

Summary

HB1408 is a technical appropriations-related measure that makes a targeted amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated to support implementation of the annual appropriations act. The bill adds a new subsection to Section 4-3-1016 authorizing transfers in fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, from the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund, which is associated with the Access Tennessee Act of 2006. The bill does not create a new program or broadly change policy across the code; instead, it provides a specific fiscal authorization tied to the state budget process. Its practical effect is to allow the state to move money from the Access Tennessee fund during FY 2024-2025 as part of carrying out appropriations decisions.

Impact

HB1408 amends Tennessee’s fiscal transfer authority by expressly permitting transfers from the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. This affects state financial administration and the operation of the Access Tennessee fund under Title 56, chapter 7, part 29, while leaving the underlying health insurance program structure intact. The bill is a budget-implementation measure and is effective immediately upon becoming law.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly favorable and routine. It advanced through the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee and Committee with unanimous or near-unanimous support, and it passed floor consideration by substantial margins. The voting pattern suggests the bill was viewed as a necessary technical companion to the appropriations act rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record, and no committee transcript is provided showing debate. Any potential concern would likely center on the use of transfers from the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund and whether those funds should be redirected as part of the budget process. However, the recorded votes indicate no organized opposition in committee and only limited dissent on the floor.