Human Services, Dept. of

Plain English Breakdown

The official text does not provide specific details on funding allocation or administrative costs, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Guaranteed Basic Income Act

This bill requires the Department of Human Services to create and implement a program that provides eligible Tennessee residents with an annual grant of $3,000 starting in 2026.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop and implement a program for giving grants to eligible residents starting in 2026.
• Sets guidelines for applications, including eligibility criteria and how grants will be awarded.
• Specifies that DHS must distribute $3,000 per year to each eligible resident who applies and provides necessary documents.
• Establishes the Guaranteed Basic Income Fund as a separate account within the state's general fund.
• Requires DHS to create rules and forms needed for the program.

Who It Names or Affects

• Eligible Tennessee residents over 18 years old who have lived in the state for at least two consecutive years and possess valid identification.

Terms To Know

Guaranteed Basic Income Fund

A special account within the state's general fund used to pay out grants under this program.

Eligible resident

An individual who is at least 18 years old, has a valid Tennessee ID, and has lived in the state for at least two consecutive years.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much money will be allocated to the Guaranteed Basic Income Fund.
• It's unclear what the exact cost of administering this program will be since guidelines are still being established.

Official Summary Text

This bill enacts
the "Guaranteed Basic Income Act" or the "Protection Against Automation Act
,
"
which requires the
department of human services
to
develop and implement a program in which
eligible residents are awarded an annual guaranteed basic income grant beginning in 2026.
As used in this bill, an
"eligible resident" means an individual who

(
i
)
i
s at least 18;

(
ii
)
p
ossesses a valid Tennessee driver license or photo identification lic
ense; (
iii
)
i
s a full-time resident of this state; and

(
iv
)
w
as a full-time resident of this state in the immediately preceding year.

DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS

This bill requires t
he department
to
establish and publish guidelines for applications, includin
g eligibility and the award of grants.

The department
must
distribute guaranteed basic income grants in the amount of $3,000 per year, which may be paid as a monthly or semi-monthly stipend, to each eligible resident who submits a completed application an
d any supporting documents required by the department. An eligible resident must reapply to receive a grant in a subsequent year.

GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME FUND

This bill establishes

t
he guaranteed basic income fund as a separate account in the general f
und
to be
composed of moneys appropriated by the general assembly for the fund, and gifts, grants, and other donations received by the department for the fund. Pursuant to action by the general assembly, the fund may receive deposits allocated from
privil
ege and excise
taxes
.

RULEMAKING
–
FORMS

This bill requires the
department
to
promulgate forms and rules necessary to effectuate this
bill
and
to
make
such
forms available on the department's website.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1355
By Akbari

HOUSE BILL 1396
By Pearson

HB1396
003054
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 9; Title 67, Chapter 4 and Title 71, relative to
financial assistance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Chapter 5, is amended by adding
the following as a new part:
71-5-2701. Short title.
This part is known and may be cited as the "Guaranteed Basic Income Act" or
the "Protection Against Automation Act."
71-5-2702. Part definitions.
As used in this part, "eligible resident" means an individual who:
(1) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) Possesses a valid Tennessee driver license or photo identification
license;
(3) Is a full-time resident of this state; and
(4) Was a full-time resident of this state in the immediately preceding
year.
71-5-2703. Guaranteed basic income grants.
(a) The department of human services shall develop and implement a program
in which eligible residents are awarded an annual guaranteed basic income grant
beginning in 2026. The department shall establish and publish guidelines for
applications, including eligibility and the award of grants.

- 2 - 003054

(b) The department of human services shall distribute guaranteed basic income
grants in the amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per year, which may be paid as
a monthly or semi-monthly stipend, to each eligible resident who submits a completed
application and any supporting documents required by the department. An eligible
resident must reapply to receive a grant in a subsequent year.
71-5-2704. Forms and rules.
The department shall promulgate forms and rules necessary to effectuate this
part. Rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative
Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, and the department shall make forms
available on the department's website.
71-5-2705. Guaranteed basic income fund.
(a) The guaranteed basic income program established pursuant to this part is
funded through the guaranteed basic income fund established as a separate account in
the general fund.
(b) The fund is composed of moneys appropriated by the general assembly for
the fund, and gifts, grants, and other donations received by the department for the fund.
Pursuant to action by the general assembly, the fund may receive deposits allocated
from taxes levied under title 67, chapter 4.
(c) The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund for the benefit of the fund
in accordance with § 9-4-603. Interest accruing on investments and deposits of the fund
must be credited to and remain part of the fund. Any unencumbered moneys and any
unexpended balance of the fund remaining at the end of a fiscal year do not revert to the
general fund, but must be carried forward until expended in accordance with this part.

- 3 - 003054

SECTION 2. The headings in this act are for reference purposes only and do not
constitute a part of the law enacted by this act. However, the code commission is requested to
include the headings in any compilation or publication containing this act.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.