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SB 351

Local Government, General - As introduced, requires county and city attorneys to consult with and advise elected county and city officials, the officials' deputies, and the officials' employees as to the proper application and enforcement of federal and state laws that are pertinent to carrying out the duties of the officials' respective offices. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 12 and Title 13.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Brent Taylor

Local governments cannot create or enforce policies that enable guaranteed income payments to individuals.

Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
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Bill Summary · SB 351

Summary — SB 351 (Session 114, Tennessee)

Overall purpose

SB 351, as amended, seeks to regulate local government authority regarding guaranteed income programs and clarifies roles for local attorneys. The bill has two main components:
1) Prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing any policy that makes a payment to an individual under a guaranteed income program.
2) Requires county and city attorneys to consult with and advise elected officials, their deputies, and their employees on the proper application and enforcement of federal and state laws relevant to the offices’ duties. (Note: This second component is part of the original bill language that was amended; see below for the current enacted text.)

Key provisions

Section 1 — Definition and scope (new part 7-51-2601 and 7-51-2602)

  • Defines “guaranteed income program” as:
    • An program that issues unconditional cash payments to individuals on a regular basis for any purpose.
    • Excludes programs that condition cash payments on seeking reemployment, performing work, or attending work training.
  • Defines “local government” to include counties, incorporated cities or towns, metropolitan governments, their agencies/units, or other state political subdivisions.
  • Prohibits a local government from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, regulation, code, requirement, or policy that has the purpose or effect of making a payment to an individual under a guaranteed income program.

Section 2 — Effective date

  • The act takes effect upon becoming law (immediate effect once enacted).

Provisions added by amendment (as reflected in the fiscal notes and amended text)

  • The amendment reiterates the guaranteed income prohibition, aligning with the new part added to Title 7. The central prohibition is that local governments cannot create or enforce policies that facilitate guaranteed cash payments to individuals under such programs.

Who is affected

  • Local governments in Tennessee (counties, incorporated cities/towns, metropolitan governments, and their agencies/units) are directly affected.
  • Local officials, their deputies, and employees are impacted insofar as the measure affects what their governments may do regarding guaranteed income programs.
  • Local government attorneys would be responsible for advising officials on legal compliance with federal/state law as it pertains to their duties (per the intent of the original bill language).

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal impact: Not significant. Analyst notes suggest no substantial cost to local governments because any consultation by local government attorneys would utilize existing staff/resources.
  • Practical impact: The primary policy change is a prohibition on local government policies that create or sustain guaranteed income payments, potentially affecting pilots or proposals at the local level.

Timeline and status (as of the amendment and action history)

  • The bill was amended in the Senate to include the guaranteed income provisions.
  • Key legislative steps (highlights):
    • February–April 2025: Passed several readings in committee and the Senate.
    • April 9, 2025: Senate passed the bill as amended (Amendment 1 – SA0308) with a vote of 26 ayes, 4 nays.
    • April 9–10, 2025: Status indicates transmission to House and other standard steps.
  • Sponsors include a primary sponsor (with a co-sponsor noted).

Bottom line

SB 351, in its amended form, primarily prohibits local governments from enacting or enforcing policies that would facilitate guaranteed income payments to individuals. It also contemplates, through the companion language, that local government attorneys advise officials on applying and enforcing relevant laws. The fiscal impact is expected to be minimal, as the changes largely regulate policy actions rather than creating or funding programs. The act would take effect upon becoming law.

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

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