Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 30, 2026

HJR 1422: Memorials, Death - Jerome "Hertis" Phillips -

This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the memory of Jerome "Hertis" Phillips, a resident of Oneida who passed away. The document outlines his life achievements, including his service in the U.S. Army, his work as a minister, his long tenure as a supervisor and county commissioner, and his dedication to his family. It expresses the General Assembly's respect for his public service and offers condolences to his surviving wife, children, and other relatives. Once enacted, the resolution serves as an official record of appreciation for his contributions to his community and state.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a veteran's service, explicitly recognizing his U.S. Army contribution as a public service achievement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an annual training pay bonus supplement for eligible campus police officers and public safety officers in the amount of $800. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38 and Section 49-7-118.

HB 8 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill specifically applies to officers at Tennessee institutions of higher education who meet training requirements. It also ensures officers serving in the military during active conflicts (and missing training due to that service) receive the bonus. The provision takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $800 annual bonus for campus police completing training, directly increasing compensation for eligible officers under Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly ensures military-serving officers receive bonus for active duty, recognizing veteran service and supporting their benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 436: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, revises the formula for calculating tax relief on real property owned by eligible disabled veterans so that in determining the amount of relief to such a taxpayer, the assessed value on the first $175,000 of full market value is to be multiplied by the ad valorem tax rate of the jurisdiction instead of by a rate that has been adjusted to reflect the relationship between appraised value and market value in that jurisdiction. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax relief for disabled veterans by changing calculation to standard tax rate, reducing their property tax burden. This alignates with tax relief for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax relief for disabled veterans by using standard tax rate instead of adjusted rate, directly expanding financial benefit for qualifying veterans' primary residences.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2026

HJR 792: Memorials, Death - General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr. -

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors military legal officer's service via memorial resolution, aligning with veterans' recognition under topic description90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2026

HR 7: Naming and Designating - Designates September 22 as "Veterans Suicide Prevention Day." -

This House Resolution (HR 7) designates September 22 as "Veterans Suicide Prevention Day" in Tennessee. It does not create new policies or funding but formally recognizes the state's commitment to addressing veteran suicide through symbolic acknowledgment. The resolution cites Tennessee's higher veteran suicide rate (184 deaths in 2022) and references existing VA suicide prevention efforts like Risk ID screening and Caring Contacts. It aims to raise awareness during National Suicide Prevention Month (September) without altering legal requirements or services. This is a commemorative resolution, not a substantive legislative change.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Veterans Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness, aligning with recognition of veteran healthcare needs per indicators.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 52: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the "Veterans Assistance for Livelihood, Opportunity, and Relief (VALOR) Act," which exempts disabled veterans who have 100 percent permanent and total disability from a service-connected cause from the payment of certain taxes and fees. - Amends TCA Section 5-8-102; Title 55, Chapter 4; Title 67 and Title 70, Chapter 2.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for disabled veterans (waiving fees/taxes), directly reducing their tax burden. This aligns with 'support' indicators of tax relief for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts 100% disabled veterans from taxes/fees on licenses, property, and vehicle registration, directly expanding financial benefits per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 524: Montgomery County - As enacted, permits a court to transfer, upon motion by the defendant, a criminal case to the veterans treatment court program in Montgomery County if the veterans treatment court program would have jurisdiction over the case if the offense had been committed in Montgomery County, the defendant files with the court a written waiver of the right to be tried by an impartial jury of the county in which the crime was committed, and the district attorney general for Montgomery County agrees to accept transfer of the case. - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables veterans' access to treatment courts, a rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform aimed at reducing recidivism through specialized programming rather than traditional punishment.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHB 524 creates a pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment court instead of standard criminal proceedings, promoting rehabilitation and support services for veterans facing charges.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 479: Military - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act." - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses premiums for National Guard healthcare coverage, funding a key benefit for veterans' medical readiness95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 276: Naming and Designating - As enacted, designates the National Guard Armory in Cheatham County as the "First Sergeant Charles Anderson Douglas National Guard Armory." -

SB 276 designates Cheatham County's National Guard Armory as the "First Sergeant Charles Anderson Douglas National Guard Armory" to honor his service. The bill directly affects the armory's official name and requires signage identifying it by that name. It is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding mechanisms, simply recognizing First Sergeant Charles Anderson Douglas's military service and advocacy for the armory's construction.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a veteran's service via facility naming, aligning with recognition indicator under SUPPORT. No policy/financial impact, but directly recognizes veteran contribution.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

died · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1164: Law Enforcement - As enacted, authorizes uniformed law enforcement officers to wear decorations, medals, service medals, and badges awarded to the officers by the armed forces of the United States, the Tennessee national guard, or the state guard during the week prior to Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the day of Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and the day immediately following Veterans Day and Memorial Day. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 58.

HB 1164 allows uniformed law enforcement officers in Tennessee to wear military medals, badges, or service decorations earned from the U.S. Armed Forces, Tennessee National Guard, or State Guard during specific periods around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. This includes the week before, the holiday itself, and the day after each observance. The bill permits this temporary wearing, though employers may still prohibit it if they determine it poses a safety risk to officers or the public. The policy directly affects Tennessee law enforcement personnel during these designated holiday periods.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows law enforcement to display military honors during Veterans Day/Memorial Day, recognizing veteran service through symbolic acknowledgment during official observances.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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