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HB 1456

Claims Commission, Tennessee - As introduced, increases the amount for which the state may be liable for damages in causes of action arising in tort from $300,000 per claimant to $500,000 per claimant and from $1 million per occurrence to $1.5 million per occurrence. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 8 and Title 29.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Gino Bulso

Tennessee bill raises state tort liability caps from $300k/$1M to $500k/$1.5M per claimant/occurrence, expanding compensation available to injured parties suing state entities.

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
#claimscommission #tennessee
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Bill Summary · HB 1456

Legislative bill overview

HB 1456 increases Tennessee's tort liability caps by raising the maximum state liability from $300,000 to $500,000 per individual claimant and from $1 million to $1.5 million per occurrence. This modifies the state's sovereign immunity protections under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 9, Chapter 8.

Why is this important

Tort liability caps directly affect injured parties' ability to recover damages from the state for negligence or wrongful acts by state employees or agencies. The increases represent the first adjustment to these caps in years, potentially reflecting inflation and changing legal standards, but they remain significantly lower than many states' caps and private sector damages awards.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact on state budget: Higher liability caps will increase costs for state agencies and potentially require higher insurance premiums or dedicated claims fund allocations
  • Adequacy of compensation: Injured parties and tort reform advocates may argue the new caps remain insufficient for serious injuries, while government agencies may claim the increases create unsustainable financial exposure
  • Comparative state analysis: Tennessee's caps may still lag behind neighboring states, raising questions about whether increases are sufficient or whether further adjustments will be needed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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