Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill
SB 1981: Workers Compensation - As enacted, adds a requirement that an award of attorneys' fees and costs incurred when an employer unreasonably denies a workers' compensation claim or unreasonably fails to timely initiate any of the benefits associated with the claim must be based on a finding by the workers' compensation judge that the employer's conduct was unreasonable; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 50, Chapter 6.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 1981 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on January 22, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Workers Compensation - As enacted, adds a requirement that an award of attorneys' fees and costs incurred when an employer unreasonably denies a workers' compensation claim or unreasonably fails to timely initiate any of the benefits associated with the claim must be based on a finding by the workers' compensation judge that the employer's conduct was unreasonable; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 50, Chapter 6. Primary sponsor: Richard Briggs (Republican). Most recent recorded action (May 5, 2026): Pub. Ch. 845.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Briggs | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 7 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Pub. Ch. 845
- Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- Signed by Governor.
- Transmitted to Governor for action.
- Signed by Senate Speaker
- Signed by H. Speaker
- Enrolled and ready for signatures
- Concurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA0962)
- Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/13/2026
- Subst. for comp. HB.
- Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0961)
- H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0962)
Showing 12 most recent of 23 actions. Full history