TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Feb 19, 2026

The Tennessee House of Representatives has passed legislation that aims to “clarify” that private citizens and organizations may refuse to recognize same-sex marriages without facing punishment. According to WBIR, HB1473, sponsored by Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, passed on a vote of 68-24. A companion bill, SB1746, has been introduced by Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma. Bill sponsors say it is designed to clarify the impact of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment and the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges on public versus private entities. Opponents say the bill could lead to businesses refusing to serve gay and lesbian couples and be applied to other situations, including discrimination against bi-racial couples, immigrants and others. WSMV has more on the legislation.