SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 436 modifies property tax relief for eligible disabled veterans in Tennessee. It changes how tax relief is calculated by requiring that the first $175,000 of a property's full market value (used as the veteran's primary residence) be multiplied by the jurisdiction's standard property tax rate - not an adjusted rate - when determining relief. This directly affects disabled veterans who own qualifying residential property, ensuring relief is based on the actual local tax rate applied to their home. The change applies to tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and simplifies the calculation method for local governments.
This resolution commemorates General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr.'s life and service to Tennessee, specifically honoring his decades of public service as a District Attorney General, military legal officer, and community leader in Hartsville. It expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family and recognizes his contributions to criminal justice, rural electrification through Tri-County Electric, and his deep ties to Hartsville and surrounding communities. The resolution has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor's signature.
HJR 721 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Master Sergeant Rachel J. Wilson upon her retirement from the U.S. Air Force. It recognizes her 20+ years of military service, including roles as a Cyber Systems Operations Craftsman with the Tennessee Air National Guard and deployments during operations in Iraq. The resolution formally commends her for distinguished service, specific career achievements, and numerous awards like the Air Force Commendation Medal. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any policies or individuals beyond this expression of gratitude.
HB 52, the VALOR Act, exempts Tennessee veterans with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability from specific taxes and fees. It removes the $10 fee for permanent hunting/fishing licenses, reimburses property taxes on their primary home, and waives registration fees for one vehicle (passenger car, RV, or half/¾-ton truck). Eligibility requires verification of disability status through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly benefiting qualifying veterans who own homes or vehicles in Tennessee.
HB 524 allows eligible veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to Montgomery County's veterans treatment court program under specific conditions. The bill affects veterans who meet the program's jurisdictional criteria (as if the crime occurred in Montgomery County), require a written waiver of their right to a jury trial in their home county, and have the Montgomery County District Attorney General agree to the transfer. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to permit this transfer process for contiguous counties with populations between 220,000-220,100 (based on 2020 census data), which Montgomery County satisfies. This creates a new procedural pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment courts instead of standard criminal proceedings. The bill became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor's approval.
SB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.
This bill creates the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act," establishing a state program to reimburse Tennessee National Guard members for certain health insurance premiums. It specifically covers premiums paid for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage by eligible members who are Tennessee National Guard members and qualify for those programs. The military department will administer the program, with the adjutant general setting application rules, and it will not reimburse premiums already covered by federal government payments. The program requires separate annual appropriations by the legislature and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 203 creates new specialty license plates in Tennessee, including a "Historic Franklin" plate, and extends existing specialty plate programs. It directs funds from the "Historic Franklin" plate sales to provide financial support for the Chester Inn State Historic Site. The bill also authorizes new motorcycle license plates specifically for paratroopers. These changes directly affect Tennessee drivers purchasing specialty plates, historic site funding, and military personnel participating in the paratrooper plate program.
HB 479 creates the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act," establishing a state reimbursement program for eligible Tennessee National Guard members. It directly affects Guard members who pay premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage, allowing the state to reimburse them for those premiums if not already covered by federal funds. The program requires members to apply through the military department's guidelines, with reimbursement ceasing if federal assistance covers the same costs. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires separate state funding appropriations to operate.
