Governor’s budget amendment signals final stretch of session as Senate advances key priorities
The General Assembly is entering the final stretch of session as budget discussions take center stage at the Capitol. This week, Governor Lee’s administration presented its supplemental budget amendment to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, building on the proposal introduced earlier this year and outlining key updates ahead of final negotiations. In the weeks ahead, lawmakers will continue refining the budget to reflect the priorities of the General Assembly and the people of Tennessee.
Meanwhile, additional Senate committees closed for the year, signaling a full transition toward floor action as major legislative priorities continue advancing through the final stages of session.
Senate provides legal recourse for patients coerced into gender transition procedures
On Monday, Senate Republicans passed legislation to ensure Tennesseans who were harmed after being coerced into medical gender reassignment procedures have a clear path to seek justice. Senate Bill 2031, sponsored by Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), establishes a private right of action for individuals who believe they were coerced into undergoing gender-related medical treatments and later suffered harm.
“Patients deserve honest, objective medical guidance—not pressure or persuasion when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Lowe. “We have heard from individuals who now live with irreversible consequences after being pushed toward life-altering procedures. This legislation ensures they have the ability to hold providers accountable and seek justice in a court of law.”
The bill sets a clear statute of limitations, allowing individuals to bring civil action within 18 years of the procedure or from the point harm is discovered. It defines applicable procedures as those intended to help a person identify with a sex inconsistent with their biological sex.
“This is about restoring trust and accountability in the medical profession,” Lowe added. “When providers fail in their duty of care—especially in cases involving permanent, life-changing interventions—patients must have a meaningful avenue for recourse.”
Senate Finance Committee advances protections for patients seeking detransition care
The Senate Finance Committee this week advanced Senate Bill 676, sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), to ensure individuals have access to medically necessary detransition services. The legislation requires health insurance plans that cover gender transition procedures to also cover detransition care, helping patients receive comprehensive treatment if they choose to reverse prior medical interventions.
The bill also increases transparency by requiring gender clinics to report data on both transition and detransition procedures to the Tennessee Department of Health. The legislation directs the Department of Commerce and Insurance to pursue a federal waiver to include detransition services in marketplace plans.
To strengthen accountability, healthcare professionals who violate the law would face disciplinary action, including a minimum six-month suspension to practice medicine, while clinics could be subject to civil fines of up to $150,000. The Attorney General is authorized to investigate violations and enforce compliance.
Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act advances
To build on the success of coordinated efforts to combat violent crime in Memphis, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1467. Sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), the legislation would enact the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act to shed light on when prosecutors lessen or dismiss criminal charges.
“It’s like our law enforcement officers are out there catching fish all day, and then someone else is quietly throwing them back in the water,” said Taylor. “That’s not how you keep a community safe. We’re backing the men and women in uniform who are doing the hard work to take violent criminals off the streets. If a serious case gets reduced or dropped, there ought to be sunlight on that decision. This bill is about transparency, accountability, and making sure justice actually sticks.”
The bill increases transparency by requiring district attorneys in jurisdictions where the Memphis Safe Task Force or a federal violent crime task force is operating to report when prosecutors enter into a plea agreement, reduce or dismiss charges or decide not to prosecute certain serious offenses. Reports must be compiled and submitted each Friday for actions taken during that week and individual reports must be filed within 10 business days of a prosecutor's decision.
Reports must be submitted to the U.S. Attorney for the district, the Tennessee Attorney General, the Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the District Attorneys General Conference. Additionally, each district attorney general must submit an annual report by March 1 to the Governor, the Speakers of both chambers, the chairs of the House Criminal Justice and Senate Judiciary Committees, and the District Attorneys General Conference.
“I want to thank President Donald Trump and Governor Bill Lee for their leadership and commitment to helping make Memphis safer,” Taylor continued. “Their support for the Memphis Safe Task Force has led to real results—taking violent criminals off our streets, recovering illegal firearms, and protecting families across our city. We are Making Memphis Matter again, one criminal at a time.”
Over the past six months, the task force has led to more than 7,400 arrests, including 722 gang members, over 1,200 firearms recovered, nearly 820 drug offenses, 653 firearm-related offenses, 44 homicide-related arrests, and 97 sex offenders, along with the recovery of 150 missing children. These results have significantly improved public safety in Memphis and drawn national attention, including a recent visit from Donald Trump to highlight the task force’s success.
The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Adding courts and prosecutors to strengthen public safety in Memphis
To support the growing number of prosecutions stemming from the Memphis Safe Task Force, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 846. Sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis), the legislation creates two additional criminal courts, four new assistant district attorney general positions, and two criminal investigator positions in the 30th Judicial District, which includes Shelby County, effective September 1, 2026.
“We can’t lock up criminals if we don’t have enough judges to put them in front of, and we need the judges to try harder than a step-dad to get the cases heard,” said Taylor. “This bill will make Memphis Matter by making Memphis safe.”
The bill now heads to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
Legislation advances to restore separation of powers and return policymaking authority to the General Assembly
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation this week aimed at restoring the General Assembly’s authority to make public policy without politically motivated lawsuits undermining the legislature's constitutionally designated powers. It requires lawsuits against state law be based on a specific injury rather than hypothetical claims.
In 2018, a change in state law significantly expanded who can challenge state statutes in court, allowing individuals to file lawsuits against laws passed by the General Assembly, even if they have not suffered a direct or personal injury. This change opened the door to politically driven litigation designed to block or delay laws enacted by the legislature.
Senate Bill 1958, sponsored by Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon), would restore Tennessee’s judicial review standards to the framework that existed prior to 2018 by requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate a direct and particularized injury before challenging a state law in court.
“Tennessee’s laws should be debated and decided by the elected representatives of the people, not rewritten through politically motivated lawsuits,” said Sen. Stevens. “Courts exist to interpret the law when a real dispute occurs, not to act as a policy-making authority based on hypothetical scenarios brought by activist groups. When the judiciary is used as a political tool to block laws passed by the legislature, it undermines the constitutional balance of powers. This legislation restores that balance and ensures policy decisions remain where they belong – with the people's elected lawmakers.”
In these frivolous lawsuits, courts rely on testimony from so-called “experts” to guide decisions that can ultimately shape statewide policy. Supporters of the legislation argue that these experts frequently bring their own political biases into the courtroom, allowing major policy decisions to be influenced by unelected individuals rather than the representatives chosen by voters.
“These are the same experts whose guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic led to prolonged school closures, sweeping mask mandates, and vaccine mandates that affected families across Tennessee,” said Stevens. “Many of these same experts also promote irreversible gender transition procedures on children as settled science. Those kinds of policy debates should happen in the legislature, where elected officials are accountable to the people, not in courtrooms driven by activist lawsuits.”
Senate Bill 1958 preserves the ability for individuals directly affected by a law to challenge it in court and clarifies that laws in violation of the Tennessee or US Constitution can still be challenged.
“The legislation simply restores the longstanding requirement that lawsuits be based on a real and specific injury, preventing politically motivated groups from filing cases based on hypothetical constitutional questions,” Stevens added.
Legislation aiming to create state-level criminal penalties for illegal immigrants who violate federal orders of removal advances
Legislation advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week would empower Tennessee to impose state-level criminal penalties on illegal immigrants who have received a final order of removal under federal law but refuse to leave, or who unlawfully reenter the state after deportation. Senate Bill 1779, sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) is a key component of Tennessee’s 2026 immigration enforcement package and reinforces lawmakers’ commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect Tennessee communities.
“This legislation makes clear that Tennessee will not sit on the sidelines when it comes to protecting our communities,” said Johnson. “States should have the authority to enforce the rule of law in their own backyards. Illegal immigrants who defy lawful removal orders or reenter our state illegally need to be held accountable. If federal law changes, this legislation puts Tennessee in a strong position to work alongside the federal government and empower the state to prosecute those unlawfully present, while ensuring our policies remain consistent with constitutional limits.”
Under the legislation, violations would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, and would apply only to individuals 18 years of age and older.
The bill includes a trigger mechanism contingent on future changes in federal law or a U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Arizona v. United States, which would restore states’ authority to determine unlawful presence.
To safeguard due process, the bill requires that any state criminal proceedings be paused until an individual has exhausted all available federal appeals or legal challenges related to their removal order or deportation.
The unlawful reentry provision is contingent on future changes in federal law or a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Arizona v. United States, while the remaining provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
The measure now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Senate passes Charlie Kirk Act to protect civil debate on college campuses
The Senate passed legislation this week to strengthen free speech protections and promote open debate at Tennessee’s public colleges and universities. Senate Bill 1741, sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington), enacts the Charlie Kirk Act, which prohibits public institutions of higher education from disinviting or refusing to host speakers based on their viewpoints or in response to threatened protests or political pressure.
“Tennessee’s public colleges and universities should be places where ideas are challenged, debated, and defended—not silenced,” said Rose. “The Charlie Kirk Act ensures our campuses remain committed to free expression, civil discourse, and intellectual diversity. No speaker should be shut out because their views are unpopular or controversial.”
The legislation requires public colleges and universities to adopt strong institutional free speech protections modeled after the University of Chicago Principles and to maintain neutrality on divisive political and social issues. It also protects the academic freedom, religious liberty, and conscience rights of students and faculty.
The bill honors the legacy of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated in September 2025 while speaking at a campus event.
Legislation protecting religious expression in schools advances
The Protecting Religious Freedom and Expression in Public Schools Act passed the Judiciary Committee this week. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), Senate Bill 1714 would require public schools, including charter schools, to teach parts of the Bible to students as literature in a historical context. Age-appropriate instruction would include the history of Israel, stories and ethical teachings from the Old and New Testaments, the life of Jesus, early Christian church history, and the Bible's impact on Western civilization.
“This legislation protects students’ constitutional rights while ensuring they understand the Bible’s profound influence on our nation and Western civilization,” said Hensley. “It affirms the freedom of students to express their beliefs and provides schools with a responsible framework to teach this material without coercion.”
The bill establishes time for students, with signed consent forms from parents, and staff to participate in silent or vocal group prayer as protected by the First Amendment. Prayers would be held outside of instructional time and cannot be broadcast over a public address system.
Bible instruction must comply with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and may not be taught as religious dogma or used to coerce student beliefs. Students would have the option to opt out of this instruction.
Public prayer was standard practice in schools in Tennessee and across the nation before the U.S. Supreme Court's 1962 decision in Engel v. Vitale, which prohibited school-sponsored prayer. A recent report from the Pew Research Center revealed 69% of Tennesseans favor prayer in public schools.
The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Senate Finance advances resolution to prepare for state-led education authority
The Senate Finance Committee this week advanced Senate Joint Resolution 650, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), positioning Tennessee to take on a greater role in education policy should federal authority shift back to the states. The resolution supports ongoing efforts to wind down the U.S. Department of Education and return responsibility for K–12 education to state governments.
“Tennessee has led the nation in education innovation, and we stand ready to take even greater responsibility for educating our students,” said Johnson. “This resolution is about being proactive—making sure we are prepared to protect local control, reduce federal overreach, and continue delivering strong results for Tennessee families if these responsibilities return to the states.”
SJR 650 also urges the governor to establish a task force made up of members from the General Assembly, the governor’s office, the Department of Education, and the Attorney General’s office to develop a plan for assuming additional responsibilities. The group would evaluate potential statutory changes and explore opportunities for greater flexibility, including the use of federal block grants if mandates are reduced. The resolution does not make immediate changes to current programs but ensures Tennessee is prepared for a potential transition.
Committee advances legislation to strengthen AI accountability and safety
To protect the public and ensure responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 2171. Sponsored by Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston), the bill requires major AI companies to create, publish, and follow their own safety plans outlining how they will manage risks to children and the public.
“This is a commonsense approach to a rapidly evolving technology,” said Yager. “We’re not telling companies how to build their systems, we’re requiring them to be transparent, take responsibility, and act quickly when something goes wrong, especially when it comes to protecting children and public safety.”
The legislation also establishes incident reporting requirements, mandating that companies notify the Attorney General within 15 days of serious incidents, such as harm to a child, theft of an AI model, or an AI-enabled cyberattack, or within 24 hours if there is an immediate threat to life.
Additionally, the legislation ensures accountability by granting enforcement authority solely to the Attorney General, allowing for civil penalties while avoiding the creation of a new regulatory agency or private right of action.
The bill now heads to the Commerce and Labor Committee for further review.
Legislation holds AI developers accountable for harmful content
Another bill advanced this week to protect Tennesseans from emerging artificial intelligence (AI) threats. The Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1493, sponsored by Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) to create a Class A felony for AI developers who knowingly train AI to encourage or support homicide or suicide, act as a mental health or health care professional, form emotional relationships that isolate individuals from family and friends, or deceptively solicit sensitive personal or financial information.
The legislation also allows individuals to pursue civil action, including damages of up to $150,000 and court-ordered shutdowns of non-compliant AI systems. Additionally, the bill requires owners or operators of an AI system to establish safeguards preventing minors from accessing sexually explicit content.
A civil penalty will apply for failure to establish these protections. The measure now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Criminalizing manipulation of prediction markets for profit
To protect the integrity of emerging prediction markets platforms, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1992. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), the legislation creates a Class E felony offense for individuals who, for financial gain, engage in conduct intended to affect whether an event happens or not while they or another person are a party to a prediction market contract tied to the outcome.
“Prediction markets should reflect real-world outcomes, not be manipulated for personal financial gain,” said Haile. “When individuals attempt to influence whether an event happens or not in order to profit from it, it undermines trust and the integrity of the entire system. This legislation makes it clear that we will not tolerate that kind of behavior in Tennessee and ensures that those who try to game the system are held accountable.”
The bill targets fraudulent or manipulative behavior designed to distort outcomes for financial gain, ensuring accountability and promoting fairness in markets where participants have a financial stake in real-world events.
The measure now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Senate advances initiative to promote Tennessee beef industry
The Senate passed Senate Bill 2652 this week, sponsored by Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), to establish a new branding initiative within the Department of Agriculture highlighting Tennessee-raised beef. The effort aims to strengthen one of the state’s top agricultural commodities by increasing visibility and expanding market opportunities both in-state and beyond.
“Beef cattle are one of Tennessee’s strongest agricultural assets, and this initiative gives us a chance to showcase that to a broader audience,” said Lowe. “We’ve seen real success with campaigns like Tennessee milk, and now we’re building on that momentum to promote Tennessee beef—supporting our farmers, growing demand, and keeping our agricultural economy competitive.”
Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act advances to protect minors
To protect minors from exploitation, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 2566. Sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), the bill, known as the “Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act”, establishes a new criminal offense for grooming.
“This legislation targets the warning signs we too often see before abuse occurs and gives law enforcement the tools to act before it’s too late,” said Bowling. “By criminalizing grooming behaviors and holding offenders accountable—especially those in positions of trust—we are taking a strong step to protect Tennessee’s children from exploitation.”
The bill defines grooming as a pattern of at least two behaviors, such as isolating a minor, building emotional dependence, or crossing physical boundaries, when done with the intent to lead to a sexual offense.
This applies to offenders with a significant age difference, generally requiring a gap of at least 10 years, with a lower threshold of four years for individuals in positions of trust like teachers, coaches, or clergy. It also makes clear that a minor’s perceived consent or the absence of physical contact cannot be used as a defense.
The measure will head to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
Requiring warning signs about human trafficking at adult-oriented establishments advances
To increase awareness of the link between human trafficking and adult-oriented entertainment for those who patronize these establishments, the Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 2481. Sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), the bill requires adult-oriented establishments, such as strip clubs and adult theatres, to post a warning sign about the potential link between the industry and crimes such as human trafficking and sexual assault.
The sign must state: “Attention: By engaging in this type of entertainment, you may be contributing to an increase in domestic assault, rape or sexual assault, and human trafficking.” It must be clearly visible, 8.5 x 11 in size, and displayed in bold, centered text on a white background.
If an establishment fails to meet this requirement, the local adult-oriented establishment board is prohibited from issuing a license.
The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final vote.
Senate Finance Committee advances Hunger-Free Campus grant program
The Senate Finance Committee this week advanced Senate Bill 172, sponsored by Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), to establish the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program aimed at addressing food insecurity among college students. The program, to be administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), would provide grants to eligible public and private institutions to support campus-based efforts to ensure students have reliable access to food. Funding would come from gifts, grants, donations, and future appropriations, though the legislation specifies no state funding is included in the upcoming fiscal years.
“Too many of our college students are facing food insecurity, and it directly impacts their ability to succeed,” said Massey. “This legislation is about removing a basic barrier to achievement. When students have reliable access to food, they are healthier, perform better academically, and are more likely to stay in school and graduate. This is not just compassionate policy—it’s smart policy that strengthens both our workforce and our state’s future.”
To qualify, institutions must meet certain criteria and use funds for approved hunger-relief initiatives, giving campuses flexibility to implement solutions tailored to student needs.
In Brief…
Senate urges Congress to protect women’s athletics under Title IX – The Senate advanced Senate Joint Resolution 589, sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), calling on Congress to reaffirm and preserve equal athletic opportunities for women and girls under Title IX. The resolution responds to growing concerns that federal rulemaking under the Biden Administration has created uncertainty around whether schools can continue to maintain separate athletic competitions based on biological sex.
SJR 589 expresses the General Assembly’s position that sex-specific teams are essential to protecting fair competition and opportunities for female athletes, including scholarships and recognition. The measure urges Congress to provide clear statutory guidance affirming that Title IX allows for separate women’s athletic programs, helping ensure consistency for schools and safeguarding opportunities for women and girls.
Issuing traffic violations for self-driving vehicles - To create a process for traffic violations by self-driving vehicles, the Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 2253, sponsored by Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon). The bill lets law enforcement issue a moving violation to the vehicle and send the notice to the registered owner or the company that made the vehicle. As self-driving vehicles become more common on roads, this legislation ensures Tennessee has a clear process for handling violations safely and fairly.
Expanding charter school sponsorship - To expand eligibility to sponsor public charter schools in Tennessee, the Education Committee passed Senate Bill 2318. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), the legislation allows private, religious, and church-affiliated schools to sponsor public charter schools. The bill also authorizes regionally accredited private institutions of higher education to serve as charter school sponsors, expanding current law, which limits this authority to public institutions of higher education. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for a final vote.
Expanding use of deadly force to protect property - In an effort to strengthen property rights and personal protections, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1847. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), the legislation expands the lawful use of deadly force in certain circumstances to protect real or personal property. Under existing law, deadly force is not permitted solely to prevent trespass or property interference. This bill allows someone to use deadly force to stop serious property crimes or recover property taken by force, but only if they reasonably believe it’s immediately necessary and there are no other safe options, or if using lesser force would put them or others at risk of serious harm. The measure now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Secure storage options for guns at courthouses - The Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 2352, sponsored by Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald). The legislation authorizes county sheriffs to provide free, secure storage lockers at or near courthouse entrances for individuals legally carrying firearms where they are prohibited inside the building. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Enhanced handgun carry permit for retired law enforcement officers - To ensure law enforcement officers forced to retire early due to injury receive the same benefits as other qualifying officers, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1628. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), the legislation extends the fee waiver for lifetime enhanced handgun carry permits to include officers who retired due to a line-of-duty injury, even if they served fewer than 10 years. The proposal will now go to the Senate Floor for final vote.
Closing loopholes to crack down on cellphones in prisons – The Judiciary Committee advanced legislation to close a loophole that allowed lax punishments of only a fine for illegally possessing a telecommunications device in a penal institution. Under Senate Bill 2388, sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), the Class E felony offense will now be subject to the full range of penalties authorized under state law, ensuring stronger consequences for contraband in correctional facilities. Additionally, the legislation requires municipalities to cover the cost of an autopsy when it is requested by the municipality or its law enforcement agency, unless the state assumes the cost. The bill now heads to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
Sanctity of Life Day - To recognize the value of all life, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1940. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), the measure designates January 22 of each year as “Sanctity of Life Day” in Tennessee, the date the U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final vote.
Verifying voter status in Tennessee – The Senate State and Local Government Committee advanced legislation this week to strengthen election integrity and improve the process for verifying voter eligibility. Senate Bill 2204, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), authorizes the coordinator of elections to establish an electronic portal to check citizenship status through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program during the voter registration process. By allowing election officials to verify citizenship at the front end of an application—rather than after someone has already been added to the rolls—the bill helps improve efficiency, consistency, and confidence in Tennessee’s voter registration system. The legislation now heads to the full Senate for final consideration.
College professor tenure – The Senate this week passed Senate Bill 2259, sponsored by Sen. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), to require each board of regents of public institutions of higher education in Tennessee to adopt and implement new policies to ensure that the rewarding, denial or revocation of tenure is not used as a form of discipline. Disciplinary actions could not alter or suspend a faculty member's tenure status, except as provided for by institutional policy after due process, according to the bill. It also ensures uniform disciplinary procedures for tenured and non-tenured faculty. Chancellors, the board of regents, and chief executive officers would have sole discretion over suspension and termination.
Transparency in hotel fees – The Senate passed legislation this week aimed at protecting consumers when booking hotels in Tennessee through third party sites. Senate Bill 2363, sponsored by Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), requires third-party booking sites to disclose any additional fees required to access its services and which services require consumers to pay additional fees. It establishes that any violation under this measure is covered under the Consumer Protection Act of 1977.
Transparency in student testing for parents - To improve transparency in student assessments and help parents better understand the tests their children are required to take, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2403. Sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), the legislation requires public schools to annually report which student assessments are administered by the state and which tests are administered by the local school district so that parents know which tests are being required by whom. It ensures the Department of Education publishes the information online in a clear and accessible format.
The bill also directs the department and vendors of state-approved universal screeners to create a framework projecting a student’s expected proficiency on the English Language Arts portion of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) based on screener results, and requires the department to publish statewide results.
Additionally, the legislation establishes a nine-member teacher review board to annually examine the TCAP, including questions that 65% or more of students answer incorrectly.
Expanding access to pre-K for educators’ families – The Senate passed Senate Bill 2426, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), to provide greater childcare flexibility for public school employees. The legislation allows children of LEA employees who reside within the district and are three years old by August 15 to enroll in the district’s voluntary pre-K program, if space remains after prioritizing at-risk students. The measure helps support Tennessee’s educators while ensuring at-risk children continue to receive first access to available seats.
Issuing bonds for water and waste water systems - The Senate State and Local Government Committee passed legislation that authorizes the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee to issue bonds for the benefit of the water and waste water system operated by the authority. Sponsored by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and carried by Senator Page Walley (R-Bolivar), the bill establishes issued bonds are subject to approval of both the board for the Megasite Authority as well the state funding board. Senate Bill 2226 goes before the full Senate for final consideration.
Installing adult changing table signs at rest areas and welcome centers - To require the department of transportation to install signs or markers indicating that an adult-sized changing table is located at a rest area or welcome center, the Tennessee Senate passed Senate Bill 2529, sponsored by Senator Tom Hatcher (R-Maryville). The legislation also ensures the department will publish the locations of rest areas and welcome centers with adult-sized changing tables on its website. The bill now goes before the full Senate for final consideration.
Reporting requirements for mass violence threats - To strengthen public safety by ensuring laws related to threats of mass violence are clear and focused, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 591. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), the legislation clarifies the requirement to submit a report of a threat of mass violence only applies to credible threats. Currently, the law requires that all threats of mass violence must be reported, even if the student is not capable of carrying out the threat. This change takes into consideration students with intellectual disabilities, who might make non-credible threats. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for a final vote.
Improving criminal proceedings notification system data sharing - To strengthen communication and ensure accurate tracking of criminal cases, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 2210. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), the legislation requires criminal court clerks to provide the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association with all necessary data to maintain the state’s criminal proceedings notification system, helping ensure timely and reliable information for law enforcement and public safety efforts. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for final consideration.
Updating tracking of cold medicine sales - To simplify regulations and strengthen oversight, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 2323. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), the bill allows online purchases of products containing pseudoephedrine under strict safeguards, including identity verification, real-time approval, and delivery limited to the purchaser’s residential address. The legislation requires the use of a state-approved, real-time electronic tracking system for all sales and removes the requirement that pharmacists counsel purchasers. It ensures sales do not exceed legal limits by requiring pharmacies to block transactions that trigger “stop sale” alerts while maintaining the current annual limit of 43.2 grams. The bill now heads to the Senate Floor for a final vote.
Keeping marijuana policy in Tennessee’s hands – The Senate passed legislation this week to ensure Tennessee remains in control of its marijuana laws, regardless of any future federal reclassification. Senate Bill 1603, sponsored by Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), prevents marijuana from being automatically removed or rescheduled under Tennessee law if federal policy changes first. Instead, any change at the state level would require action by the General Assembly and the creation of a formal regulatory framework. The legislation helps ensure Tennessee—not Washington—sets the rules on marijuana use in our state.
Equipping teachers with AI training – The Senate Finance Committee this week advanced Senate Bill 677, sponsored by Sen. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), to better equip teachers with emerging classroom technology. The legislation requires teachers in grades 6–12 to complete, at their own pace, at least one course on the use of artificial intelligence as part of their existing professional development hours.
The course will be provided at no cost and must be completed by August 1, 2027, or within two years of becoming a licensed teacher, whichever is later. The measure ensures Tennessee educators are prepared to responsibly integrate AI into the classroom while staying ahead of rapidly evolving technology.
Cracking down on fraudulent freight theft – The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation this week to combat rising freight theft and hold bad actors accountable. Senate Bill 2466, sponsored by Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), establishes a new offense of “fraudulent freight theft” and ensures it is prosecuted under existing theft laws. The bill also strengthens protections for victims by requiring law enforcement to accept theft reports regardless of where the crime occurred and allowing claims by a person with financial interest in the freight, even without evidence of forced entry. Additionally, it supports insurance and civil recovery efforts by ensuring official reports are recognized and clarifying that victims may pursue legal action. The legislation now heads to the Senate Finance Committee for fiscal consideration.
Strengthening accountability for crimes against minors - To ensure offenders convicted of multiple crimes against children serve jail sentences for each victim, the Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1633. Sponsored by Senator Tom Hatcher (R-Maryville), the legislation requires defendants convicted of multiple offenses involving more than one minor victim to serve consecutive sentences. A court may only order otherwise if it finds consecutive sentencing is not warranted based on the facts and not in the interest of justice. The bill now heads to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
Modernizing judicial compensation – The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation this week to create a more consistent statewide framework for compensating general sessions and juvenile court judges. Senate Bill 1734, sponsored by Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon), establishes salary minimums based on county population, provides for annual inflation adjustments, and ensures that no general sessions or juvenile judge earns more than a circuit court judge. The new system takes effect September 1, 2030. The bill preserves flexibility for counties while bringing greater fairness and transparency to judicial pay. It now heads to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.
Extending the timeline for judicial redistricting – The Senate passed legislation this week to provide additional time for completion of Tennessee’s proposed statewide judicial redistricting plan. Senate Bill 166, sponsored by Sen. Page Walley (R-Bolivar), extends the deadline to finalize the plan from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028, and gives the General Assembly until December 31, 2028, to approve any updated judicial district lines. The one-year extension is intended to help ensure Tennesseans continue to have reasonable and timely access to circuit, chancery, and criminal courts across the state.
Expanding athletic trainers’ ability to treat activity-limiting conditions - The Senate passed a bill that updates the rules for athletic trainers in Tennessee. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin), Senate Bill 502 officially recognizes athletic trainers as healthcare providers and expands what they are allowed to do under the supervision of a sports-related physician. Trainers can now treat conditions that limit a person’s ability to participate in physical activity, not just injuries. This bill allows athletic trainers to practice to a fuller extent of their training and use certain healthcare procedures, including emergency temperature checks, blood glucose monitoring, some injections, and basic wound care, excluding staples or sutures.
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