Senate Bill 1958, also known as House Bill 1971, amends Tennessee law regarding causes of action, specifically addressing the state's sovereign immunity. The bill deletes Section 1-3-121 entirely and modifies Section 49-7-191(f) to allow individuals who believe a violation has occurred to seek relief under a specified statute. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that establishes a cause of action for individuals seeking declaratory or injunctive relief related to the legality or constitutionality of governmental actions by political subdivisions, while explicitly stating that this does not allow for damages or challenges to state statutes.

Furthermore, the new section clarifies that it does not waive the sovereign immunity of the state or its officials, ensuring that the state's legal protections remain intact. The term "political subdivision" is defined to include various local governmental entities. The bill also includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-3-121, 49-7-191(f), 49-7-191