Tennessee § 26-2-221 - Garnishment of compensation due from state — Amount exempted.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-2-221 — Garnishment of compensation due from state — Amount exempted., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 26-2-221. Garnishment of compensation due from state — Amount exempted.
Garnishment of salaries, wages or other compensation due from the state, or from any county or municipality, to any officer or employee thereof, is permissible. Garnishment of compensation due from the state to contractors or vendors of the state is permissible. No such officer, employee, contractor, or vendor may validly claim any privilege or immunity in that regard. Such officer, employee, contractor, or vendor shall be entitled to an exemption of the amount of wages, salary, or compensation so due as is exempt from levy or garnishment in favor of officers, employees, contractors, or vendors of private corporations in like circumstances. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to apply to or to allow garnishments of state compensation to contractors or vendors of the state where the state determines that payment of such garnishment would result in an interruption of essential state services. Acts 1978, ch. 915, § 40; T.C.A., § 26-250; Acts 2001, ch. 412, § 1. Cross-References. Amount of earnings exempt from garnishment, § 26-2-106 . Law Reviews. Garnishment — Municipal Corporations, 17 Tenn. L. Rev. 880. Rights of Creditors in Insurance — The Tennessee Exemption Statutes (Paul J. Hartman), 5 Vand. L. Rev. 760. Attorney General Opinions. Applicability to withholding of payments to debtors of state, OAG 84-164, 1984 Tenn. AG LEXIS 185 (5/15/84).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 26-2-221
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-2-221 cover?
Section 26-2-221 ("Garnishment of compensation due from state — Amount exempted.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 26-2-221?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 26-2-221" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 26-2-221 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.