House Bill 2337 and Senate Bill 2194 propose amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding hospitals. The first section of the bill adds a requirement that notice must be provided at least thirty (30) days prior to certain transactions involving hospitals. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 48-68-206 by designating the existing section as subsection (a) and introducing a new subsection (b). This new subsection states that a hospital established solely for the benefit of a county government and with an estimated sales value exceeding five hundred million dollars is not considered a public benefit hospital entity under subdivision (a)(5). Furthermore, this provision will take effect only upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county government's legislative body.

In the amendments to Section 48-68-206(a)(5), the bill deletes the existing language and substitutes it with a new provision that clarifies the control of proceeds from transactions, stating that proceeds must not be returned to any county or municipal government except to fulfill lawful obligations. The bill emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in hospital transactions while ensuring that large county-benefit hospitals are treated distinctly under the law. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the urgency of the public welfare.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48-68-203(a), 48-68-203
Amended with SA0733 -- 03/23/2026: 48-68-203(a), 48-68-203, 48-68-206, 48-68-206(a)(5)