New Year, New Rules: Key Tennessee Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2025

Issue #311

28 Dec

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 62 / low of 60, Rainy conditions from 3-7 PM, thunderstorm expected at 7 PM

📰 New Year, New Rules: Key Tennessee Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2025

📰 Film Needs Crew For Columbia Shoot

📰 Low Risk of Severe Storms This Evening

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, December 28th

Monday, December 30th

Tuesday, December 31st

Thursday, January 2nd

Saturday, January 4th

New Year, New Rules: Key Tennessee Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2025

As 2024 concludes, the State of Tennessee is set to usher in 2025 with a series of new laws that address various aspects of daily life. These laws, ranging from online safety to alcohol regulations, aim to enhance public safety and adapt to modern challenges.

Effective January 1, 2025, the following laws will take effect:

  • Online Controls for Minors
    New legislation will empower parents to oversee their children’s online activities by tightening restrictions on social media and adult content access. The Protecting Minors from Social Media Act mandates that social media platforms obtain parental consent before allowing users under 18 to create accounts.

  • Bartenders to complete training to identify, prevent sexual assault
    In an effort to address alcohol-related issues, a new law requires bartenders and others directly serving alcohol to complete a minimum of three-and-a-half hours of alcohol awareness training. This includes education on the role of alcohol in sexual assault and harassment, bystander intervention, and ensuring patron safety.

  • Law enforcement officers eligible to get retirement hazardous duty benefits
    Eligible law enforcement officers and firefighters will now qualify for hazardous duty retirement benefits. Workers can receive this benefit either upon retirement or when they turn 60, provided they have at least 20 years of service and are not retiring due to a disability.

  • Virtual IDs for buying alcohol in grocery stores
    Tennessee will permit the use of virtual identity verification for purchasing alcohol in grocery stores. This builds on existing rules allowing virtual IDs for other purposes, such as air travel.

Legislation also taking effect includes:

  • HB 1814: This law mandates that landlords provide potential tenants with the name and address of property management agencies operating the home. Additionally, tenants must receive written details of the names and addresses of property owners or individuals authorized to act on their behalf. The law also requires landlords to offer an email or telephone number for maintenance services or an online portal for communication.

  • SB 2307: A new law ensures that hydrogen gas is taxed equivalently to other types of fuel. This change is expected to increase revenue for the state’s Highway Fund while reducing revenue for the General Fund.

  • SB 1919: This legislation requires health insurance providers that already cover prescription contraceptives to offer coverage for a year’s supply. The law is designed to make it easier for individuals, particularly those in healthcare deserts, to access birth control and allows TennCare beneficiaries to obtain a 12-month refill from their health plans.

Film Needs Crew For Columbia Shoot

Ryan Jump from Wandering King Productions is filming part of The Silent Adversary Short Film in Columbia Jan 6-8 and is in need of some crew and would like to bring in people who are local and interested in film, or would like to help the film’s mission of bringing hope to those with cancer and raising funds for several different charities.

They are in need of:

2-3 Production Assistants (biggest need)

Sound Mixer

They are also seeking out any local businesses that would like to sponsor the film. Your business will be featured in the credits of a movie, and if you check out their crowdfunding page, you will see your giving also helps 4 great causes. 

Please contact Ryan directly if you are interested. 

Low Risk of Severe Storms This Evening

From U.S. National Weather Service - Nashville Tennessee’s post…

Low chance of severe weather in Middle TN tonight.

Main area of concern: south of I-40, west of I-24

Damaging straight line winds are the main concern, but a tornado cannot be ruled out.

Bottom line: please keep an eye on the weather this evening. Don't go to bed without charging your phone and making sure your weather radio is plugged in and on, all in case you go under and warning and need to get to shelter.

*If you’re not already following them, the Weather Down in Muletown Facebook page is a good source for local weather updates! 👇

“We are watching and will keep you posted! If we get any watches or warnings, we will let you know! Before anyone asks, the tornado threat is LOW but, not zero. Cap’n and I are on it.” 

(Sponsor)

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🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, December 28th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7 PM
Johnny Jameson & the Empty Pints, McCreary’s, 7:00 PM
Lisa Law Trio, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
New Binge Music, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, December 29th

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

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