HB0788 • 2026

Safety, Dept. of

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 8 and Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, relative to photo identification licenses.

Active

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

Sponsor: Freeman, Oliver
Last action: 2025-03-18
Official status: Taken off notice for cal in s/c Transportation Subcommittee of Transportation Committee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on whether individuals with non-photo driver's licenses can obtain a new photo ID for free.

Free Photo ID Licenses for Those Without Valid IDs

This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Safety to provide free photo identification licenses to people who sign an affidavit stating they do not have a valid government-issued photo ID.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Safety to give out free photo ID licenses if someone signs an affidavit saying they don't have another valid photo ID.
Makes sure these free IDs are available at all places where driver's licenses or other photo IDs are given out.

Who It Names or Affects

People who need a government-issued photo identification but do not have one.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and its staff.

Terms To Know

Affidavit: A written statement that someone signs to say it is true, used here for people who don't have a valid photo ID.
Photo Identification License: An official card with your picture on it from the government.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the current contract for software updates is used up.
There might be extra costs of $890,000 in fiscal years 2025-26 if more changes are needed to the system.

Bill History

2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Transportation Subcommittee of Transportation Committee
2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Transportation Subcommittee for 3/18/2025
2025-02-20 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2025-02-19 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee
2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee
2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL 1136
By Oliver

HOUSE BILL 788
By Freeman

HB0788
002902
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5;
Title 8 and Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3, relative to
photo identification licenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-50-336(g), is amended by
deleting the subsection and substituting:
(1) Notwithstanding § 55-50-323, a photo identification license issued pursuant
to this section must be provided free of charge to a person if the person signs an
affidavit stating the person does not have a valid government-issued photo identification.
Such free photo identification licenses must be made available at each location in this
state where the department issues a driver license or photo identification license.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (e), a photo identification license may be issued
to a person who meets the criteria of subdivision (g)(1) even if the person has a valid
non-photo-bearing driver license.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.