Veterans

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

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

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 114: Scholarships and Financial Aid - As enacted, makes various changes to the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 10.

HB 114 amends Tennessee's STRONG Act to expand educational benefits for National Guard members. It explicitly covers mandatory fees (like parking, tech, and library fees) and master's degree program fees, in addition to 100% of in-state tuition. The bill increases the maximum credit hours for eligibility from 120 to 130 and requires reimbursement applications within 45 days of course completion. It also adds eligibility requirements, barring members suspended from federal tuition assistance due to academic issues. This law, effective May 2, 2025, directly affects Tennessee National Guard members pursuing higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded educational benefits for National Guard, increasing appropriations for scholarships and mandatory fee coverage under STRONG Act.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition coverage and fees for National Guard education benefits, increasing access and funding for higher education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition coverage to include mandatory fees and master's programs, increases credit hours, and speeds reimbursement for National Guard veterans' education benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 7, 2025

HJR 698: Memorials, Recognition - Captain Larry L. Taylor American Legion Post 293 in Signal Mountain -

This is a ceremonial resolution (HJR 698) honoring the newly formed Captain Larry L. Taylor American Legion Post 293 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. It formally congratulates the post's officers and members on their establishment and recognizes the post's namesake, Captain Larry L. Taylor, a Medal of Honor recipient and Signal Mountain resident. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Tennessee General Assembly for the veterans' organization's service.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally recognizes Medal of Honor recipient and veterans' post, aligning with topic's recognition indicator. Symbolic but directly addresses veteran service acknowledgment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 1: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to enact legislation to expand and improve efforts to treat traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. -

This is a resolution (not a binding bill), formally urging the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that would expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It specifically references the Veterans' National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act (H.R. 3649), which would fund pilot programs for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside counseling. The resolution does not create new policy but requests Congress adopt such legislation to improve veteran care. It directly affects veterans with TBI or PTSD by advocating for broader treatment options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges Congress to fund veterans' TBI/PTSD treatment access via pilot programs (H.R. 3649), explicitly expanding healthcare services for covered conditions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges Congress to expand TBI/PTSD treatments and fund pilot programs via referenced bill (H.R. 3649), directly advancing veterans' healthcare access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 646: Memorials, Recognition - Run for the Wall Week -

House Joint Resolution 646 designates May 13-24, 2025, as "Run for the Wall Week" in Tennessee. The resolution commemorates the annual Run for the Wall motorcycle event, which raises awareness about prisoners of war and missing in action personnel while honoring veterans. It specifically acknowledges the event's planned route through Tennessee, including stops in Cookeville (May 18-20) and Chattanooga (May 20-21), as part of its journey to Washington, D.C., and the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois. This ceremonial resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates 'Run for the Wall Week' to honor veterans via commemorative event, directly recognizing service and raising awareness for POW/MIA personnel as stated in bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 2, 2025

HJR 674: Memorials, Recognition - Vietnam War, 50th anniversary of its end -

House Joint Resolution 674 is a commemorative resolution passed by Tennessee's legislature to honor the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (May 7, 2025). It recognizes the service of over 2.5 million Americans who served in the conflict and expresses gratitude to the 6.6 million living Vietnam War veterans for their sacrifices. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to veterans' contributions to national security and freedom. It was signed into law by Governor on May 2, 2025, following approval by both legislative chambers.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes Vietnam War veterans' service and sacrifices through commemoration, aligning with recognition-based support for veterans per topic description.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans