Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed several notable bills into law. One expands the legal justification for using deadly force to protect property. Under the legislation (effective July 1, 2026), a person who is not engaged in felony or Class A misdemeanor conduct and is lawfully present where they reside may use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to prevent imminent arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or aggravated cruelty to animals, or when there is an imminent danger of death, serious bodily injury, or grave sexual abuse to themselves or a third person. It also covers situations where lesser force would expose someone to grave sexual abuse. The law includes conditions for reentering property after unlawful dispossession and maintains restrictions on its use.

Another bill permits certain religiously affiliated private postsecondary institutions to apply for and operate public charter schools in the state, while continuing to prohibit private K-12 schools from doing so.

Two measures address commercial drivers. One aligns state rules with federal standards by requiring commercial driver’s license holders to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and complete reports. Starting January 1, 2027, those who fail inspections may be placed out of service and have their licenses suspended until they pass a state test, with exemptions for certain deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers holding federal waivers. A separate bill imposes new penalties on individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. who operate commercial vehicles in Tennessee, making it a Class A misdemeanor, along with penalties for those who knowingly allow it. It also enables the state attorney general to pursue civil penalties against employers, including potential minimum $1 million fines in cases tied to crashes involving such drivers.

Finally, Lee signed legislation increasing penalties for drink spiking and intentional tampering with food, beverages, or pharmaceuticals intended to cause intoxication, injury, or death, with violations escalating to Class D through Class B felonies depending on intent.