Tennessee Overview – 2024 Session
TENNESSEE
Legislative Overview – 2023-24 Session
(Adjourned on April 25, 2024)
31 pet related items were proposed during the 2023-24 legislative session, 14 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 991/SB 836 | Landlord-Tenant Breed-Specific Policy Prohibition: Amends Title 56 (Insurance), Chapter 7 (Policies & Policyholders), Part 1 (General Provisions) of Tennessee Code Annotated by adding a new section prohibiting an insurer of homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, or insurance that covers a manufactured or mobile home from making certain changes to or refusing to issue a policy based solely on the specific breed or mixture of breeds of a dog that lives or is otherwise cared for on the property to which the policy applies. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 1908/SB 1867 | Public School Therapy Dog Pilot Program: The “Beyond Ordinary Learning Opportunities (BOLO) Act amends Title 49 (Education), Chapter 6 (Elementary & Secondary Education), Part 3 (Elementary, Middle and Secondary Schools Generally) of Tennessee Code Annotated by adding a new section to require the Department of Education to establish a one-year pilot program to place a therapy dog in five public schools in the 2024-2025 school year. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE 5/9/24) |
| HB 2540/SB 2384 | Rabbit Sale Restrictions – Age, Coloring: Amends Title 39 (Criminal Offenses), Chapter 14 (Offenses Against Property), Part 2 (Animals), Section 39-14-204 (Dyed baby fowl and rabbits) of Tennessee Code Annotated to adjust the age at which a rabbit that has been colored, dyed, stained, or otherwise had their natural color changed may be sold. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 2731/SB 2606 | Venomous Snake Restrictions: Amends Title 39 (Criminal Offenses), Chapter 17 (Offenses Against Public Health, Safety & Welfare), Section 39-17-101 (Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited) and Title 70 (Wildlife Resources), Chapter 4 (Miscellaneous Regulations), Part 4 (Exotic Animals), Section 70-4-405(h)(7) (Housing and transportation of wildlife-Requirements – Mobile Facilities) of Tennessee Code Annotated to strike references to “poisonous” snakes and replace with the term “venomous”. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 2880/SB 2808 | “Poisonous” Snake and “Venomous” Snake Definition Amendment: Amends Title 39 (Criminal Offenses), Chapter 17 (Offenses Against Public Health, Safety & Welfare), Sections 39-17-101 (Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited) and 39-17-402 (Definitions) and Title 70 (Wildlife Resources), Chapter 4 (Miscellaneous Regulations), Part 4 (Exotic Animals), Section 70-4-405(h)(7) (Housing and transportation of wildlife-Requirements – Mobile Facilities) of Tennessee Code Annotated to define the terms “poisonous” and “venomous” and provide for certain transport regulations. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE 7/1/24) |
| HB 2938/SB 2513 | Commercial Dog and Cat Breeder Licensure: Amends Title 44 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 17 (Dogs and Cats) of Tennessee Code Annotated by adding a new Part 44-17-801 to a establish a process for the Department of Commerce & Insurance to create a licensure process for commercial breeders of cats and dogs. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| ORD 2023001 | Smyrna Retail Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Ordinance amends Title 10 (Animal Control), Chapter 2 (Dogs and Cats) of Smyrna, TN Municipal Code by adding a new Section 10-210 (Sale of Dogs and Cats) to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats in city pet stores. | ADOPTED (EFFECTIVE 3/7/23) |
View ALL Tennessee legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.