Tennessee Senate Bill SB1207

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6, relative to lobbyists.

Summary

SB1207 amends Tennessee’s lobbyist disclosure law to require lobbyists to identify each bill or legislative measure for which they are being compensated to oppose or support. The bill adds this requirement to the existing reporting provisions in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 6, which governs lobbying and related disclosures. In practical terms, the measure is aimed at increasing transparency around paid lobbying activity by tying compensation disclosures to specific legislation. Rather than requiring only general reporting about lobbying work, the bill would make lobbyists disclose the particular bills or measures connected to their paid advocacy or opposition.

Impact

The bill would modify Tennessee’s lobbying disclosure statutes by expanding the information that registered lobbyists must report. It would affect lobbyists and their employers or clients by requiring more detailed identification of compensated advocacy on specific legislative items, potentially improving public and legislative visibility into who is paying for support or opposition to particular bills.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be a transparency measure, which is typically framed positively by supporters of disclosure and accountability.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the added reporting burden on lobbyists and the possibility that more detailed disclosure could expose client strategies or increase compliance costs. Supporters would likely emphasize transparency and public accountability, while opponents may argue that the requirement is duplicative, administratively burdensome, or overly specific in how it tracks compensated advocacy.