Tennessee Senate Bill SB1429

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/25
• Chaptered: 5/27/25
• Passed: 5/27/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 29; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 57; Title 58; Title 59; Title 60; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69; Title 70 and Title 71, relative to statutory revisions required for implementation of the annual appropriations act.

Summary

SB1429 is a technical appropriations implementation bill. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated across many titles only to make statutory revisions needed to carry out the annual appropriations act, rather than creating a broad new policy program. The bill’s specific substantive change authorizes transfers in fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, from the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund, which is tied to the Access Tennessee Act of 2006. In practical terms, the bill affects state fiscal administration and the management of a dedicated health insurance fund, allowing the state to move money from that fund during FY 2024-2025 as part of budget implementation. Because the bill is framed as a conforming or cleanup measure, its impact is limited to aligning statutes with the enacted budget and authorizing the needed fund transfer authority. The general sentiment around the bill appears strongly favorable and routine. The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee recommended passage with amendment(s) on a 10-0 vote, indicating no recorded opposition in committee. The bill was then enacted as Public Chapter No. 529 and signed by the governor, suggesting broad agreement that the measure was necessary for budget execution. There is little evidence of substantive controversy in the available materials. Any discussion would likely center on the fiscal use of the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund and whether the transfer authority is appropriate, but no specific objections or competing viewpoints are reflected in the provided vote history or text. The bill appears to have been treated as a standard appropriations-related statutory revision rather than a contested policy change.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee law in Title 4 to authorize transfers from the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and otherwise makes cross-title statutory revisions needed to implement the annual appropriations act. Its legal effect is primarily fiscal and administrative, affecting state budget execution and the handling of a dedicated health insurance-related fund rather than changing eligibility, benefits, or broader regulatory policy.

Sentiment

The available legislative history suggests a positive, noncontroversial reception. The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee advanced the bill unanimously, and the measure ultimately passed and became law. That pattern indicates the bill was viewed as a routine budget implementation vehicle necessary to keep state statutes aligned with the appropriations act.

Contention

No major points of contention are evident in the provided record. The only potentially sensitive issue is the authorization to transfer money from the Access Tennessee health insurance program fund, which could raise questions about the use of dedicated health-related funds. However, the unanimous committee vote and lack of recorded debate or dissent suggest that any concerns were minimal or resolved before final passage.