Tennessee Senate Bill SB1499

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/26
• Engrossed: 2/19/26
• Enrolled: 3/17/26
• Passed: 4/1/26
• Chaptered: 4/6/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 17, relative to the board of communications disorders and sciences.

Summary

SB1499 makes a narrow housekeeping change to Tennessee law governing the Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences. The bill removes the board from one of the statutory lists of state boards and commissions subject to certain sunset-style review provisions in Title 4, Chapter 29, and adds the board to a different list of entities that are expressly continued in law. The underlying board itself is created in Title 63, Chapter 17, and the bill does not change its licensing, disciplinary, or regulatory authority. In practical terms, the measure updates the state’s administrative code so the Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences remains recognized as an active board under Tennessee law. It is a technical amendment affecting state government structure and the statutory treatment of the board, rather than a policy change affecting speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or the public directly.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 17 by deleting the board from one statutory subsection and adding it to another that continues the board by name. This preserves the Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences as an ongoing state entity and aligns the sunset/continuation statutes with the board’s existing creation and function under § 63-17-104. The bill has no apparent effect on licensure standards, enforcement powers, or regulated parties beyond maintaining the board’s legal status.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support for the bill. The Senate Government Operations Committee recommended passage on a 9-0 vote, and the floor motion to adopt passed 31-0. No committee transcripts were provided, and there is no indication of opposition or controversy in the available record. The overall sentiment appears to be routine and favorable, consistent with a noncontroversial technical cleanup measure.

Contention

There is little to no visible contention in the available materials. Because the bill is a technical statutory update, any discussion would likely have centered on administrative housekeeping and ensuring the board remains properly listed in the continuation statutes. No opposing arguments, amendments, or concerns from affected professionals or state agencies are reflected in the provided record.