Tennessee Senate Bill SB1738

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/26
• Engrossed: 2/23/26
• Enrolled: 4/23/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-116 and Section 55-6-107, relative to military personnel.

Impact

If passed, this legislation will have a significant impact on active military service members, allowing them financial relief when managing the registration of their vehicles while stationed away from home. This is particularly relevant for all-electric vehicles, which may be incentivized through this exemption. The intention behind the bill is to provide support to military families by reducing their financial burden in relation to vehicle registration during periods of deployment or assignment outside Tennessee.

Summary

Senate Bill 1738 seeks to amend Tennessee law regarding the registration fees for all-electric vehicles owned by members of the military. Specifically, the bill introduces an exemption for active military service members who are stationed outside of Tennessee and are not at a military reservation within the state. This exemption allows eligible service members to renew their vehicle registration without having to pay any additional fees that may otherwise be required under Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-116.

Contention

While the bill aims to support military personnel, it may spark discussions on how exemptions like this could set a precedent for other vehicle types or categories of exemptions. Opponents might raise concerns about equitable treatment of non-military residents who also benefit from electric vehicle incentives. Moreover, discussions around jurisdiction and the state’s role in regulating fees for vehicle registrations could arise, questioning whether the exemptions are fair or manageable within the broader tax framework.