TN SB0976The bill urges the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to study the sale and distribution of smokeless nicotine products and other alternative nicotine products to individuals under 21 years old. It encourages the department to provide recommendations to the legislature on how to reduce these sales and distributions to minors. The bill also makes amendments to various sections of Tennessee law related to tobacco products.
TN SB0976 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Steve Southerland (R), currently “Introduced” since February 5, 2025.
We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 250 of them sponsored by Steve Southerland.
Supporters of the bill would frame it as a proactive measure to protect young people from the potential harms of nicotine addiction. They would emphasize the importance of research in understanding the impact of alternative nicotine products and the need for informed policy decisions to promote public health.
Critics of the bill might argue that it could unnecessarily restrict access to nicotine products for adults and limit personal choice. They may contend that the focus should be on education and responsible use rather than imposing additional regulations that could affect businesses and consumer rights.
The analysis of SB0976 reveals no direct overlaps between Senator Steve Southerland's personal financial interests and the tobacco and tobacco-derived products industry that the bill addresses. As a funeral director and owner of a funeral home, his primary business activities do not intersect with the sale or distribution of tobacco products or nicotine alternatives. Furthermore, his other financial interests, including various bank assets and rental properties, do not suggest any potential for personal financial gain from the legislation aimed at regulating tobacco sales to individuals under 21 years of age. Therefore, the risk of conflict of interest is minimal.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Funeral Director | — | AI-researched |
| Employer | Owner of Southerland Family Funeral Home | — | AI-researched |
| Business Owner | Owner of Southerland Family Funeral Home | — | AI-researched |
| Employer | STATE OF TN | Government | TN Ethics Commission |
| Spouse Employer | TN CONSOLIDATED RETIREMENT | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | PERSONAL RENTAL PROPERTY | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | FIRST HORIZON BANK | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | PHILLIPS EDISON | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | TRUIST INVESTMENT SERVICES | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | HOME FEDERAL BANK | — | TN Ethics Commission |
Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Tennessee General Assembly. Conflict analysis examines the sponsor's personal financial interests for potential overlaps with the bill's subject matter.
What does TN SB0976 do?
The bill urges the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to study the sale and distribution of smokeless nicotine products and other alternative nicotine products to individuals under 21 years old. It encourages the department to provide recommendations to the legislature on how to reduce these sales and distributions to minors. The bill also makes amendments to various sections of Tennessee law…
What is the status of TN SB0976?
TN SB0976 is currently “Introduced” in the Tennessee legislature.
Who sponsored TN SB0976?
Steve Southerland (R) sponsored TN SB0976.
