Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 7, 2026

HJR 1546: Memorials, Retirement - Trooper William Bennett -

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally recognizes and honors Trooper William Bennett of the Tennessee Highway Patrol as he retires after thirty years of service. The resolution acknowledges his extensive background, including his military service, education, and various roles within law enforcement, particularly his work protecting the Tennessee General Assembly. It expresses official gratitude for his dedication to public safety and his personal contributions to the state, but it does not create any new laws, change policies, or allocate funding. The primary effect of the bill is to issue a ceremonial commendation to be presented to Bennett, serving as a public acknowledgment of his career rather than a functional legislative change.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally recognizes and honors a veteran's retirement, explicitly acknowledging his military service and expressing official gratitude.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 1, 2026

SJR 1107: Memorials, Recognition - Station Camp JROTC Drill team -

This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the Station Camp High School JROTC Drill Team for winning top honors at the Mt. Juliet All-Services Drill Championship. It recognizes the cadets and their instructors, Master Sergeant Archie Harville and Colonel Todd Overby, for their precision, discipline, and leadership in the competition. The resolution serves as a public commendation and does not alter any laws or policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally honors JROTC cadets and instructors for their discipline and leadership, serving as a public commendation that recognizes veteran-related service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

passed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HJR 1547: Memorials, Recognition - "Veterans Suicide Prevention Day," September 22 -

This Tennessee state resolution officially designates September 22 as Veterans Suicide Prevention Day to recognize the service of military veterans. The bill highlights the urgency of addressing suicide among veterans by citing national and state statistics regarding veteran mortality rates. It functions as a commemorative measure to raise awareness rather than establishing new legal requirements or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates a day to raise awareness of veteran suicide prevention, directly supporting mental health services and addressing a critical healthcare need.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates a day to recognize veterans and raise awareness about suicide prevention, aligning with support indicators for recognizing veteran service.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SJR 1031: Memorials, Recognition - Fallen veterans of Happy Valley High School -

This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the fourteen alumni of Happy Valley High School who died while serving in the U.S. military. It recognizes their sacrifices during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm by listing their names, service details, and military decorations. The resolution does not create new laws or programs but serves as an official state tribute to their service and sacrifice. It directs that a copy of the resolution be prepared for presentation to the families or appropriate organizations upon request.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally honors fallen veterans through official state recognition, listing names and service details as a tribute to their sacrifice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

passed · Tennessee · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 202: Memorials, Recognition - 105th Attack Squadron, 105th anniversary -

This Tennessee House resolution honors the 105th Attack Squadron of the Tennessee Air National Guard on its 105th anniversary. The document acknowledges the unit's long history, tracing its roots to World War I and detailing its extensive service in various conflicts and humanitarian missions over the last century. It formally expresses gratitude for the squadron's contributions to national security and freedom, noting its recent transition to operating the MQ-9 Reaper drone. The resolution serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a National Guard squadron's service and contributions, explicitly expressing gratitude and recognition for veterans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

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 absent

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

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 948: Housing - As enacted, requires certain property, projects, and joint ventures to meet certain requirements if a legislative body of a county or municipality adopts by resolution or ordinance an affordable housing program. - Amends TCA Title 47 and Title 67.

The bill title provided in your query (about housing) does not match the actual bill text, which is about veterans' property tax exemptions. SB 948 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, to require disabled veterans to provide documentation of their military service and disability to qualify for a property tax exemption. This change directly affects disabled veterans seeking the exemption, as they must now submit proof of service and disability to the relevant authority. The bill was signed by the Governor and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax exemption for disabled veterans, a form of tax relief, directly supporting Budget & Taxes topic through tax reduction.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires documentation for disabled veterans to qualify for property tax exemption, ensuring program integrity and protecting the benefit for eligible veterans.85% 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