SB 2078 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Lottery, Scholarships and Programs - As introduced, requires the Tennessee higher education commission to submit a report to the education and finance committees of the senate and house of representatives identifying any fiscal year, beginning with the 2004 fiscal year, for which net lottery proceeds were insufficient to fully fund certain scholarships and grants, resulting in a pro rata reduction in award amounts or a draw upon the general shortfall reserve subaccount. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 4, Chapter 51 and Title 49, Chapter 4.

SB 2078 requires Tennessee's Higher Education Commission (THEC) to submit a report by October 1, 2027, identifying all fiscal years since 2004 where lottery funds were insufficient to fully cover specific state scholarship programs. The report must detail years when this shortfall caused either reduced scholarship amounts for students (pro rata reductions) or the use of a general reserve fund to cover the gap. This bill does not change funding levels or eligibility but mandates transparency about past shortfalls affecting scholarship awards.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 11, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Mar 11, 2026
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bo Watson
Bo Watson
RRepublican
TN
11