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SB1653Introduced in the Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9, Chapter 8 and Title 29, relative to damages.

IntroducedSenate Finance, Ways and Means

Introduced by Todd Gardenhire, District 10

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

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.

Where it stands

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026

April 20, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee · March 24, 2026

8

Yes

1

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

9 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Robert Harshbarger4Yes
Todd Gardenhire10Yes
Dawn White13Yes
Kerry Roberts23Yes
John Stevens24No
Sara Kyle30Yes
Brent Taylor31Yes
Paul Rose32Yes
London Lamar33Yes

Bill history

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  3. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  4. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/9/2026

  5. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026

  6. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026

  7. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026

  8. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  9. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026

  10. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026

  11. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026

  12. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2026

  13. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  14. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026

  15. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026

  16. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026

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