TennesseeTennessee law allows certain venues to serve alcohol under specific rules
Tennessee law describes which specific venues may qualify for alcohol licenses, how some businesses may serve drinks in shared areas, and where certain passenger boats may sell alcohol.
What it does
The law describes specific venues that may qualify for alcohol licenses, including restaurants, clubs, resorts, and hotels. Each must meet the requirements listed for that venue.
Licensed businesses in one specifically described downtown area may serve drinks in designated spaces, including spaces that are separate or shared. Local officials may set rules for shared areas.
Restaurants in a special historic district that meet the other restaurant requirements may operate under one license using multiple names and may let another business run a restaurant franchise.
Some passenger boat companies may sell alcohol while docked, but only where local officials have approved alcohol sales and the company meets passenger and county rules.
Argument forPassengers on some boats could buy drinks while docked in places that approve alcohol sales, giving them another option during a stop.
Argument againstServing alcohol across separate or shared spaces could make it harder for venues to keep customers from carrying drinks into areas where alcohol is not allowed.
More detail
Certain specifically described venues may qualify for alcohol licenses. The listed venues include particular theaters, clubs, restaurants, resorts, hotels, and residential developments. Each venue must meet its own location and operating requirements. Some provisions set additional rules for licensed areas, food service, security, fees, or separate businesses operating at the venue. The act took effect when it became law.
Licensed businesses in a specifically described downtown area may serve alcohol in designated areas. The rule covers licensed businesses in the described business district and surrounding property in a specified home rule municipality near the Tennessee River. Businesses must file diagrams showing where they plan to serve drinks. Security or other measures must help prevent customers from leaving with alcohol. The municipality's special events office may set rules for service in shared areas. The act took effect when it became law.
Some restaurants in a special historic district may use one license for multiple restaurant names or locations and may grant restaurant franchises. This applies to commercially operated restaurants located in a special historic district. A restaurant must meet the other legal requirements for a restaurant. A franchisee is treated as a licensee and may seek a catering license. The act took effect when it became law.
Certain passenger boat companies may sell alcohol while docked only in places that approve alcohol sales. Only companies operating from counties within the population ranges listed in the law are covered. A company must operate a passenger vessel licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry at least 50 passengers. Alcohol may be stored only in a county where the vessel docks and within a local government's approved area. The act took effect when it became law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1074Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 27Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1095)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 69, Nays 13, PNV 5Passed House
- Apr 16Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 14Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0941)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/14/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0508)
- Apr 14Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 2, PNV 2Passed Senate
- Apr 14Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 10Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2026
- Mar 31Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 2
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 2 3/31/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 24Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/31/2026
- Mar 24Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/31/2026
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 10Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Feb 24Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 0 PNV 0 2/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 2/24/2026
- Feb 17Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
- Feb 10Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
- Jan 15Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 14Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 13Filed for introductionIntroduced
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