New Year, New Laws: 29 Changes to Tennessee Law Coming January 1

NASHVILLE, TN — Tennesseans will be able to buy Tennessee-produced high-gravity beers and buy cheaper lifetime handgun permits under two of the new laws going into effect on New Year's Day.

High-gravity beer isn't illegal in Tennessee, so to speak. It's been available for purchase at liquor stores and bars and restaurants holding liquor licenses. But the strong stuff has not been available for purchase in grocery stores, convenience stores or at beer bars or growler fills which don't hold a liquor license; what's more is that all that high-alcohol beer is almost exclusively from out-of-state, as Tennessee brewers had to obtain a distillery license to make anything stiffer than 6.2 alcohol-by-volume.

On New Year's Day, however, Tennessee brewers will be able to brew beer up to 10.1 ABV, a change that opens up a variety of styles to in-state production. Plus, the stronger stuff will be available for purchase anywhere with a beer permit. It's the latest evolution in the change to the state's beer laws that has led to a dramatic increase in the number of craft breweries operating in the Volunteer State, largely precipitated by a change in the state's wholesale beer tax in 2014, when the state began taxing beer on volume rather than price.

Also on January 1, the cost of a lifetime handgun carry permit will drop dramatically from $500 to $300. The price of a lifetime permit under the new law is fixed at $200 more than the cost of a regular permit. Under another change, active duty military or honorably discharged veterans will be able to acquire handgun permits at 18, rather than 21.

People convicted for vehicular homicide where alcohol or drugs were involved will be ineligible for parole starting January 1. Robbing a pharmacy for the purpose of obtaining a controlled substance will be considered an enhancement factor for sentencing, as well.

Also, Tennessee students will be required to pass a United States civics test before graduating high school.

See the full list of new state laws here.

Image via Shutterstock