Tennessee Senate Bill SB1383

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 12; Title 29; Title 50 and Title 56, relative to insurance.

Summary

SB1383 amends Tennessee workers’ compensation law by increasing the minimum required amounts of certain insurance coverage. Specifically, it raises the amount in Tennessee Code Annotated § 50-6-404(a)(1) from $50,000 to $100,000 and the amount in § 50-6-404(b) from $100,000 to $200,000. The bill is framed as an insurance-related measure and applies to the statutory requirements governing workers’ compensation coverage. The act takes effect on January 1, 2026. In practical terms, it would require affected employers or insurers to maintain higher coverage limits under the workers’ compensation provisions referenced in Title 50. The bill does not create a new program or benefit; rather, it updates existing financial thresholds in state law.

Impact

The bill directly amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 50-6-404, increasing statutory insurance coverage thresholds tied to workers’ compensation requirements. This change would affect employers, insurers, and any parties subject to the coverage mandates in Title 50 by requiring higher minimum policy limits or equivalent financial security. Because the bill only changes dollar amounts and includes a future effective date, its legal impact is limited to adjusting existing compliance standards rather than restructuring the underlying workers’ compensation system.

Sentiment

Based on the available record, there is no committee transcript or vote history showing debate, opposition, or amendments, so the bill’s sentiment cannot be measured from discussion. The measure appears neutral and technical in nature, with no recorded controversy in the provided materials. The absence of recorded votes or committee remarks suggests there is no documented public disagreement in the available context.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve the cost of higher required coverage for employers and insurers, especially smaller businesses, and whether the increased limits are necessary or appropriately calibrated. However, no participant, committee, or voting record in the supplied context identifies any actual opposition or disputed issue.