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SB1036 • 2026

Driver Licenses

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 12 and Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to licenses.

Active

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

Sponsor
Bowling, Russell
Last action
2025-02-12
Official status
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary text does not provide specific details on how the Department of Safety will conduct its review or what happens if a private vendor is found to be more cost-effective than state agencies.

Driver Licenses in Tennessee

This bill requires that driver licenses and photo identification cards be manufactured and printed within Tennessee using the most cost-effective method.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires all driver licenses and photo identification cards to be manufactured and printed within Tennessee.
  • Directs the Department of Safety to review different ways to make these documents, including doing it themselves or through a contract with another state agency or private company.
  • Specifies that the most cost-effective method must be used for manufacturing and printing.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who need driver licenses or photo identification cards in Tennessee.
  • The Department of Safety and other state agencies involved in license production.
  • Private companies that currently make these documents for Tennessee.

Terms To Know

cost-effective
Finding the way to do something at the lowest cost while still getting good results.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a private vendor is found to be more cost-effective than state agencies.
  • It's unclear how this change will affect current contracts with out-of-state vendors.
  • There are no details on how the Department of Safety will conduct its review.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Transportation and Safety Committee

  2. 2025-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Transportation Subcommittee

  3. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  4. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Transportation Committee

  5. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  6. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  7. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1017
By Russell

SENATE BILL 1036
By Bowling

SB1036
003043
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 12
and Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to licenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
55-50-103.
Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, all driver licenses and photo
identification licenses must be manufactured and printed in this state. The department
shall review and determine the cost-effectiveness of having such licenses manufactured
and printed by the department or another state department or agency or through a
contract with a private vendor. The department shall have licenses manufactured and
printed in this state using the most cost-effective means.
SECTION 2. For purposes of review and determining cost-effectiveness, including
evaluating current contracts and vendors, this act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public
welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this act takes effect January 1, 2026, the public
welfare requiring it.