SB1981Introduced in the Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 50, Chapter 6, relative to workers' compensation.
Introduced by Richard Briggs, District 7
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
As enacted, adds a requirement that an award of attorneys' fees and costs incurred when an employer unreasonably denies a workers' compensation claim or unreasonably fails to timely initiate any of the benefits associated with the claim must be based on a finding by the workers' compensation judge that the employer's conduct was unreasonable; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 50, Chapter 6.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
May 5, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 2 · April 13, 2026
32
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
32 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lowe | 1 | Yes |
| Tom Hatcher | 2 | Yes |
| Rusty Crowe | 3 | Yes |
| Randy McNally | 5 | Yes |
| Becky Massey | 6 | Yes |
| Richard Briggs | 7 | Yes |
| Jessie Seal | 8 | Yes |
| Steve Southerland | 9 | Yes |
| Todd Gardenhire | 10 | Yes |
| Bo Watson | 11 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/12/2026
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0581)
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Subst. for comp. HB.
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0961)
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0962)
Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/13/2026
Concurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA0962)
Enrolled and ready for signatures
Signed by Senate Speaker
Signed by H. Speaker
Transmitted to Governor for action.
Signed by Governor.
Pub. Ch. 845
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
Verify the information
Our commitment to neutrality
We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.