Tennessee Senate Bill SB1171

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7; Title 8; Title 35; Title 49; Title 50; Title 56; Title 66 and Title 71, relative to benefits.

Summary

SB1171 makes a narrow change to Tennessee workers’ compensation law by extending the deadline for an employer or insurer to pay a settlement amount after settlement approval. Under current law, payment must be made within 30 days after settlement; this bill changes that period to 45 days. The bill does not create a new benefit program or alter eligibility for benefits generally, but instead adjusts the timing for settlement payment in a specific statutory provision. Because the bill is limited to a single statutory amendment, its practical effect is procedural rather than substantive. It would give parties in workers’ compensation settlements an additional 15 days to complete payment, which may provide more flexibility for processing, administrative review, or funding arrangements. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated section 8-36-503(b), which governs the timing of settlement payments in the workers’ compensation context. By changing the deadline from 30 days to 45 days after settlement, it modifies the obligations of employers, insurers, and other paying parties involved in approved settlements. No other titles or statutes are changed in substance, despite the broader title listing in the caption.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history provided, so the available context does not show formal debate, amendments, or opposition. Based on the text alone, the bill appears technical and administrative in nature, suggesting it may have been viewed as a routine adjustment rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. If concerns were raised, they would most likely relate to whether extending the payment deadline could delay compensation to injured workers or, conversely, whether the extra time is necessary to ensure accurate and orderly settlement processing. However, the record provided does not identify any legislator, stakeholder, or committee member taking a position on those issues.