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SB0551 • 2026

Physicians and Surgeons

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to the board of medical examiners.

Healthcare
Active

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

Sponsor
Reeves, Hale
Last action
2025-03-26
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide details on specific individuals or groups affected beyond mentioning the governor and the board members. The exact impact of this change is uncertain without further context.

Changes to Medical Board Appointments

This bill changes how the governor of Tennessee can choose members for the board that oversees medical doctors and surgeons.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the governor to talk with medical groups when choosing people for the board, but doesn't require it anymore.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The governor of Tennessee
  • People on the board of medical examiners

Terms To Know

Board of Medical Examiners
A group that makes sure doctors and surgeons follow rules and are qualified to work.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the governor will choose board members if they do not consult with medical groups.
  • It is unclear what practical changes this might bring to the appointment process for board members.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  2. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/26/2025

  3. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  4. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  5. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  6. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  7. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  8. 2025-01-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 991
By Hale

SENATE BILL 551
By Reeves

SB0551
000887
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4,
Chapter 29; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to the
board of medical examiners.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-6-102(a)(4), is amended by
deleting the language "The governor shall consult" and substituting the language "The governor
may consult".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.