Tennessee Senate Bill SB0551

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to the board of medical examiners.

Summary

SB0551 makes a narrow change to Tennessee law governing the Board of Medical Examiners. Under current law, the governor is required to consult in appointing or otherwise acting under the referenced provision; this bill changes that language so the governor "may consult" instead. The measure does not create a new board, expand its powers, or alter the board’s composition beyond this wording change. In practical terms, the bill gives the governor more discretion and removes a mandatory consultation requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-6-102(a)(4). Because the bill is limited to a single statutory phrase, its legal effect is confined to the appointment/consultation process tied to the Board of Medical Examiners and related provisions in Titles 63 and 68. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-6-102(a)(4) by changing a mandatory consultation directive for the governor to a permissive one. This reduces the statutory obligation on the governor in the context of the Board of Medical Examiners and may affect how appointments or related executive actions are handled, but it does not otherwise revise the board’s duties, licensing authority, or regulatory framework.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available record. Based on the text alone, the bill appears technical and administrative rather than controversial, with a limited policy change focused on executive discretion.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the materials provided. If there were concerns, they would likely center on whether removing the mandatory consultation requirement weakens stakeholder input or, conversely, whether it appropriately streamlines the governor’s appointment process. The available record does not identify any legislators, professional groups, or medical stakeholders taking a position.