Veterans

SJR 147 is a commemorative resolution honoring Troop B, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Tennessee Army National Guard) for winning first place in the 2024 Sullivan Cup Competition. The resolution specifically commends the four soldiers - Staff Sergeant David Riddick, Sergeant Joshua Owen, Specialist Noah Eddings, and Specialist Seth Carter - who led their team to victory as the only National Guard unit in the competition. They defeated ten teams, including six active-duty Army units and four allied teams, in the U.S. Army's annual M1 Abrams tank crew competition. The resolution was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor on March 12, 2025.

SB 257 allows Tennessee local school districts and public charter schools to hire retired law enforcement officers (from federal, state, or local agencies) or honorably discharged U.S. military veterans as school resource officers (SROs) on school grounds. It requires school boards to adopt written policies outlining SRO duties, authority limits, and compliance with student privacy laws like FERPA. The bill also mandates that these SROs complete 40 hours of approved school policing training (at their own expense) and carry firearms on school premises per existing rules. This expands the pool of eligible SROs beyond current law enforcement officers while adding specific training and policy requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.