Tennessee Senate Bill SB1152

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 67, relative to the Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act.

Summary

SB1152, titled the Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act, would prohibit Tennessee from charging a business license fee to any veteran of the United States military, including members of the National Guard and reserves. The bill is framed as a veterans’ reintegration and economic development measure, with legislative findings stating that veterans bring transferable skills, certifications, and experience that can benefit local communities and entrepreneurship. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-4-723 by adding a new subsection that creates a statewide fee exemption for veterans seeking a business license. It applies notwithstanding existing provisions that otherwise authorize business license fees, and it would take effect July 1, 2025. The measure would therefore reduce or eliminate local and state business licensing costs for eligible veterans starting on that date.

Impact

SB1152 would change Tennessee tax and licensing law by carving out a categorical exemption from business license fees for veterans, including National Guard and reserve members. The practical effect would be to reduce licensing costs for veteran-owned businesses and to require state and local licensing authorities to waive those fees for covered applicants. Because the bill amends Title 67, it directly affects the business tax and licensing framework rather than creating a general grant or tax credit program.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill. On March 18, 2025, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee recommended passage by an 8-0 vote, indicating unanimous committee approval at that stage. The bill’s stated purpose—supporting veterans’ transition to civilian life and encouraging entrepreneurship—appears to have been broadly well received in committee.

Contention

No committee transcript is available, and the recorded vote shows no opposition in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. As a result, there is little evidence of substantive contention in the available materials. Any potential concerns would likely center on the loss of fee revenue to local governments or the scope of the exemption, but those issues are not reflected in the provided discussion or vote record.