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HB0446 • 2026

State Government

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6 and Title 7, relative to international organizations.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Hulsey
Last action
2025-02-03
Official status
Withdrawn.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's last action was withdrawn, which may affect its status and future implementation.

Restrictions on International Organizations' Jurisdiction

This bill restricts international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), and World Economic Forum from having jurisdiction in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

  • Limits the ability of WHO, UN, and WEF to enforce requirements or mandates within Tennessee.
  • Prohibits state entities from collaborating with these organizations on enforcement actions.
  • Bans state funding for programs related to WHO, UN, and WEF.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tennessee state government
  • Local governments in Tennessee

Terms To Know

Jurisdiction
The authority to make decisions and enforce laws within a specific area.
Civil Penalty
A fine imposed by the government for breaking certain rules or regulations.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill does not specify how it will be enforced.
  • The bill's impact on existing federal and international agreements is unclear.

Bill History

  1. Date Tennessee General Assembly

  2. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Withdrawn.

  3. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  4. 2025-01-28 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
<BillNo> <Sponsor>

HOUSE BILL 446
By Hulsey

HB0446
000796
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 5; Title 6 and Title 7, relative to international
organizations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) This section is known and may be cited as the "Restrictions on International
Organizations' Jurisdiction in the State of Tennessee Act."
(b) The World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic
Forum, directly or indirectly, have no jurisdiction in this state. This state and its political
subdivisions, including, but not limited to, counties, cities, towns, precincts, water
districts, school districts, school administrative units, and quasi-public entities, must not
be compelled to engage in the enforcement of, or to collaborate with the enforcement of,
a requirement or mandate issued by the World Health Organization, the United Nations,
or the World Economic Forum, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation,
a government, public, or private organization acting on behalf of the World Health
Organization, World Economic Forum, or United Nations such as a national focal point;
the International Health Regulations (IHR) agreement of 2005; the United States
department of health and human services, food and drug administration, center for
disease control, or national institute of health; or other United Nations, federal, or state
One Health agencies.
(c) A requirement or mandate issued by the World Health Organization, the
United Nations, or the World Economic Forum, whether directly or indirectly, including,

- 2 - 000796

without limitation, a government, public, or private organization acting on behalf of the
World Health Organization, World Economic Forum, or United Nations such as a
national focal point; the IHR agreement of 2005; the United States department of health
and human services, food and drug administration, center for disease control, or national
institute of health; or other United Nations, federal, or state One Health agencies must
not be used in this state as a basis for action, nor to direct, order, or otherwise impose,
contrary to the Tennessee constitution and laws of this state, a requirement or mandate,
including those for masks, vaccines, or medical testing, or to gather public or private
information about the state's citizens or residents, and such a requirement or mandate
has no force or effect in this state.
(d) This state and all political subdivisions of this state, including, but not limited
to, counties, cities, towns, precincts, water districts, school districts, school
administrative units, and quasi-public entities, shall not accept any funding in support for
any programs associated with the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the
World Economic Forum whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, a
government, public, or private organization acting on behalf of the World Health
Organization, World Economic Forum, or United Nations such as a national focal point;
the IHR agreement of 2005; the United States department of health and human services,
food and drug administration, center for disease control, or national institute of health; or
other United Nations, federal, or state One Health agencies.
(e) A rule, regulation, law, mandate, fee, tax policy, treaty, executive agreement,
or international agreement that violates the congressional legislative powers set forth in
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States constitution pertaining to the implementation of
mandates from the World Health Organization, World Economic Forum, or United
Nations must not be enforced or implemented by this state or an agency, department,

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board, commission, political subdivision, governmental entity of this state, city, county,
municipality, or another political entity.
(f) A person or entity that violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of ten
thousand dollars ($10,000) for a first offense, and twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for
each subsequent offense. A person or entity receiving funding in violation of this section
must return such funding to the funding organization.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.