Tennessee Bills

This legislative resolution formally recognizes Veterans Month in November 2026 to honor the service of Tennessee's veterans. It acknowledges the state's large veteran population, including those with service-connected disabilities, and highlights their contributions to the nation. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture of gratitude and remembrance. It directs the state to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation, omitting specific legislative designations.

This bill designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Tennessee to raise public understanding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. The resolution highlights the disease's impact on patients and families, notes the lack of a known cure, and acknowledges the vital role of research and support organizations like the ALS Association. It serves as a commemorative measure to honor those affected by the disease and to encourage continued support for research and advocacy efforts.

This bill designates May 1, 2026, as "Do Something Tennessee Day" to encourage youth and community participation in volunteer service. The resolution formally recognizes this statewide day of action aimed at mobilizing schools, families, and organizations for coordinated service efforts across major Tennessee cities. It highlights the initiative's goal to strengthen youth civic engagement and aligns the state with national service movements. The bill is a commemorative measure that does not create new laws or funding but serves to acknowledge and promote an existing volunteerism program.

This legislative bill requests the installation of a bust honoring Anne M. Davis, a former Tennessee state legislator known as the founding mother of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the State Capitol building. The resolution directs the State Capitol Commission to organize an artist contest to create the bust and specifies its placement near the Senate chambers on the second floor. Funding for the project must be appropriated by the General Assembly, though the commissions are authorized to accept private donations to help cover costs. The bill requires approval from the State Capitol Commission, State Building Commission, and concurrence from the Tennessee Arts Commission before the bust can be installed.

This bill designates April 2026 as National Arab American Heritage Month in Tennessee to recognize the contributions of Arab Americans to society. It honors their achievements in fields such as medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, and military service. The resolution aims to educate the public about Arab American culture and counter misconceptions through official state recognition. This measure is purely commemorative and does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

This proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 624) would require U.S. citizenship as a mandatory qualification for voting in all Tennessee state, county, and municipal elections - including local ballot measures and referendums. It would replace current voting requirements by explicitly stating that only U.S. citizens may vote in these elections, removing any existing provisions that might allow non-citizens to participate. The amendment specifies that citizenship, age (18+), state residency, and registration would be required, with uniform standards across Tennessee. If enacted, it would directly affect non-citizen residents who currently vote in local elections in Tennessee.

This proposed constitutional amendment would change Tennessee's election schedule for certain local officials. It would move elections for judicial officers (like judges) and most county civil officials (such as sheriffs or clerks) from the first Thursday in August to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, effective starting in 2034. Property assessors would remain on the August election schedule, with their next election in 2032. The change aims to align local elections with federal and state election dates.

SJR 618 proposes changing Tennessee's constitutional requirement for judges. Currently, judges must have lived in the circuit or district for one year before election; this amendment would require residency in the *specific county* of the court they will serve for one year instead. The change directly affects candidates running for judicial positions in Tennessee's county courts. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a law changing current court operations.

HB 2550, the "Hunting for Heroes Act," creates a Tennessee National Guard Sportsman License that provides free hunting and fishing licenses to active Tennessee National Guard members in good standing. It requires applicants to submit a valid U.S. military ID and verification of their National Guard membership from the Adjutant General's office. The license grants the same benefits as a standard resident sportsman license, with costs covered by the state general fund (not wildlife resources funds). This bill directly affects current Tennessee National Guard members, eliminating their license fees while maintaining standard hunting/fishing regulations. The license will be available starting July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.

SB 2206, the "Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Act," enables Tennessee to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to claim tax credits for contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The bill requires the Tennessee Department of Education to certify and publish a list of qualified SGOs meeting federal criteria, ensuring these organizations can provide scholarships for elementary and secondary education expenses - including home schooling - under federal law. This directly affects Tennessee students attending private or home schools by expanding access to scholarship funding through tax-credit donations, while SGOs gain eligibility to receive these contributions. The law aligns Tennessee with federal regulations to maintain state eligibility for the tax credit starting in 2027.

SB 2210 increases the required notice period for victims registered in Tennessee's criminal proceedings notification system from 24 to 36 hours before any related hearing. This change directly affects victims who have registered to receive alerts about court proceedings involving their case. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-38-507(b)(1), to update the notice timeframe. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 2130 creates a new pathway for graduates of ABET-accredited engineering technology programs to become registered engineers in Tennessee. To qualify, applicants must have at least eight years of supervised engineering experience, provide references from three licensed Tennessee engineers, and pass two national exams (fundamentals and principles/practice). The bill directly affects engineering technology graduates seeking licensure, expanding eligibility beyond traditional engineering degree holders. It modifies Tennessee's licensing rules to include this category of applicants, effective July 1, 2026.