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 1404 sets aside state funds from the Department of Transportation to cover costs for highway or bridge memorials honoring service members killed in action, as designated by bills passed during Tennessee's 2025 legislative session. It specifically allocates money for any bill or resolution naming an interstate, U.S. highway, or state highway as a memorial route or designating a bridge on those routes for fallen service members, per existing law (TCA §54-1-133). The bill also acknowledges potential revenue loss from future bills that reduce state revenue without increasing spending. It applies to the 2024-2025 fiscal years and takes effect upon enactment.
HJR 177 is a non-binding resolution urging the naming of the Blue Springs Boat Ramp in Speedwell, Tennessee, in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater. It directly affects the location of the boat ramp by proposing a commemorative name change to honor Prater, a soldier who died in Iraq in 2007 and received military awards for heroism. The resolution cites Prater's service, his sacrifice during his second deployment, and his personal connection to fishing at the ramp, where he spent time with his family. This is a symbolic gesture with no legal or financial impact, as it only requests the name change without creating new laws or obligations.
SB 249 requires Tennessee state parks to offer resident veterans the same discounts for activities, retail purchases, camping, and lodging as those provided to state employees. It also establishes a separate 50% year-round discount for camping and overnight cabin lodging for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, contingent on providing documentation of disability and Tennessee residency. Veterans must present proof of veteran status and residency to qualify for the standard discounts, and additional documentation is required for the 50% disability discount. The bill amends Tennessee law and takes effect July 1, 2025.
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.
HB 1350 allows eligible disabled veterans in Tennessee to choose between a free distinguishing placard or a free license plate for parking, instead of requiring both. Veterans who qualify for a free license plate under existing law (TCA § 55-4-256) may now apply for a free placard to use instead. Veterans who already have a free license plate can also obtain a placard by paying the standard passenger vehicle fee ($20 as of current TCA § 55-4-111). This bill amends Tennessee Code §§ 55-21-106 and 55-4-256 to implement these options, effective July 1, 2025.
SB 12 increases property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the value threshold for reimbursement. The bill amends Tennessee law to change the reimbursement amount from covering the first $175,000 of a home's market value to the first $200,000. This directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who receive property tax relief under existing programs. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, for tax years beginning on or after that date. The amendment applies to all relevant sections of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.
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.
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.
SJR 44 is a commemorative resolution honoring the 1175th Transportation Company, Tennessee Army National Guard, for their service during a 2023-2024 deployment to the U.S. Southwest Border. It specifically recognizes 125 soldiers who provided reconnaissance support under Federal Order RFA 2024, aiding U.S. Border Patrol operations in McAllen, Texas, while under the command of Captain Everett Miller and 1st Sergeant Cyrus Shores. The resolution expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's gratitude for their "meritorious service" and "selfless commitment" to the nation and state. As a symbolic gesture (not a law with policy changes), it has no direct effect on individuals or policies beyond formal recognition. The resolution was signed by both chambers and the Governor on March 4, 2025.
