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HB 802

State Employees - As enacted, classifies as state employees for purposes of defense and other related provisions, soil and water conservation district board of supervisors, employees, officers, and agents, and persons designated by a soil and water conservation district as participants in volunteer programs authorized by such districts. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 42 and Title 9, Chapter 8.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rusty Grills

Tennessee HB 802 extends state employee legal defense protections to soil and water conservation district board members, employees, and authorized volunteers for official actions.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 425
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Bill Summary · HB 802

Legislative bill overview

HB 802 extends state employee classification and legal protections to soil and water conservation district (SWCD) board members, employees, officers, and authorized volunteer participants. This reclassification applies defense provisions and related protections under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8, Chapter 42 and Title 9, Chapter 8, typically covering liability protections and legal defense coverage for official acts.

Why is this important

Soil and water conservation districts perform environmental management work that may expose workers to liability claims or legal disputes. By classifying SWCD workers as state employees for defense purposes, the state assumes legal defense costs and potential liability exposure for their official actions, which could reduce operational costs for these districts and encourage volunteer participation by removing personal legal risk.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability cost shift: Extending state legal defense to SWCD volunteers and board members transfers potential defense costs from districts or individuals to the state budget, raising questions about fiscal impact and appropriate use of state resources
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of "participants in volunteer programs authorized by such districts" lacks specificity, potentially allowing broad interpretation of who qualifies for state protections
  • Precedent concerns: Classifying volunteers and board members as state employees for defense purposes may create pressure to extend similar protections to other volunteer-based conservation or environmental organizations

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

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