Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HJR 641: Memorials, Recognition - Cadet Kenneth Darden, CSM Darol Walker Award, Austin Peay State University -

HJR 641 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to formally congratulate Cadet Kenneth Darden, an Army ROTC student at Austin Peay State University (APSU), on winning the CSM Darol Walker Award. The resolution recognizes his military service (including 11 years of active duty, three deployments to Iraq, and multiple medals), academic excellence (3.7 GPA in leadership science), and leadership roles (captain of APSU's Ranger Challenge team, Homecoming King). As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but publicly honors his achievements as a senior ROTC cadet who excels academically, militarily, and in extracurricular activities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes veteran service (11 years active duty, deployments, medals) and academic leadership, directly aligning with recognition-based support indicators for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 299: Education, Higher - As introduced, extends to the dependent children and spouses of veterans who sustained a permanent and total service-connected disability during a qualifying period of armed conflict the same waiver of all tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education being provided to the dependent children and spouses of veterans who were killed, died due to injuries received, or reported as prisoners of war or missing in action during a qualifying period of armed conflict. - Amends TCA Title 49.

HB 299 expands Tennessee's tuition waiver program for dependents of veterans to include children and spouses of veterans who sustained a permanent 100% service-connected disability during military service. It directly affects dependent children under 23 and spouses of qualifying veterans who received U.S. government certification of their disability. Key provisions require proof of the disability determination, limit spouse eligibility to 10 years from the disability certification date, and apply the waiver to all state public universities starting July 2025. The bill modifies existing education code to extend this benefit to a new group of veterans' families, matching the existing waiver for dependents of veterans who died or were missing in action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition waiver access for veterans' dependents at public colleges, increasing educational affordability and access for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition waiver benefits to dependents of veterans with permanent service-connected disabilities, directly advancing educational support for veterans' families per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 309: Veterans - As introduced, requires the bureau of parks and conservation to designate at least one day per year, instead of just one day per year, during which access to and use of all state parks, including campgrounds and golf courses, must be free of charge for all veterans. - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 3.

HB 309 amends Tennessee law to require the Bureau of Parks and Conservation to designate **at least one day annually** - instead of exactly one day - when all state parks, campgrounds, and golf courses are free for veterans. This directly affects **veterans** seeking access to state park facilities, expanding potential free days beyond the current single-day requirement. The key provision modifies an existing law (TCA Title 58, Chapter 3) to mandate annual free access while shifting responsibility from the "division of parks" to the "bureau of parks and conservation." The bill does not create new fees or alter veteran eligibility, only adjusting the frequency and administrative oversight of free park access.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' free park access from exactly one day to at least one day annually, increasing benefit availability per bill's amendment of TCA Title 58, Chapter 3.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 368: Veterans - As introduced, removes the market value cap used for calculating property tax relief on the primary residence for disabled veterans who are eligible for property tax relief and requires the state to fully reimburse such veterans for local property taxes paid for a given tax year on that property. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

SB 368 removes a market value cap that previously limited property tax relief for disabled veterans in Tennessee. It requires the state to fully reimburse eligible disabled veterans for all local property taxes paid each year on their primary residence, instead of capping relief at a specific property value. This directly affects disabled veterans who own and live in their primary residence and qualify for property tax relief under Tennessee law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requires full state reimbursement for disabled veterans' property taxes, increasing state spending on tax relief for a vulnerable group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves market value cap, requiring full reimbursement of property taxes for disabled veterans' primary residences, expanding financial relief beyond previous limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 279: Military - As enacted, defines "working day" for purposes of determining the military leave and compensation available to state and local government employees who are members of any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who are called to active military service. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 33.

SB 279 defines "working day" for Tennessee state and local government employees who are reserve military members called to active duty. It specifies that a "working day" means the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work in a 24-hour period. This change directly affects government employees serving in reserve components of the U.S. military when activated, clarifying how their military leave and compensation are calculated. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 8, Chapter 33, and became effective April 24, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies military leave and compensation for government employees, protecting employment rights during reserve service by defining 'working day' for leave calculation.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies military leave compensation for reserve employees, ensuring consistent pay during active duty, supporting veteran employment rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HJR 382: Memorials, Recognition - Middle Tennessee Veterans Support Group -

This resolution (HJR 382) is a ceremonial honor for the Middle Tennessee Veterans Support Group on its 25th anniversary. It recognizes the group’s work since 2000, which includes weekly gatherings of over 175 veterans from multiple conflicts (WWII through the War on Terror) and community outreach. The resolution has no policy impact - it does not change laws, allocate funds, or affect any individuals or entities beyond offering symbolic recognition. It was formally adopted by Tennessee’s legislature and signed by the Governor as a gesture of appreciation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes veterans' service via ceremonial honor for Middle Tennessee Veterans Support Group's 25 years of work, aligning with 'recognizes veteran service' support indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 766: Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, adds a 5 percent penalty on delinquent property taxes with the penalty to be used to provide tax relief for the homeowners who are elderly low-income, disabled, or a disabled veteran or widow of a disabled veteran. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.

HB 766 adds a 5% penalty to overdue property taxes in Tennessee. The penalty money will fund tax relief for elderly low-income homeowners, disabled homeowners, disabled veterans, and widows of disabled veterans. The penalty is calculated only on the base amount of overdue taxes (excluding interest or other penalties). This change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses penalty revenue to fund tax relief for elderly low-income/disabled homeowners and veterans, directly advancing tax relief for vulnerable groups per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds tax relief for vulnerable homeowners, protecting property rights and preventing housing loss for elderly/low-income/disabled groups.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates penalty funds for tax relief for disabled veterans and widows of disabled veterans, directly funding veteran-specific benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1140: Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As enacted, makes changes relative to temporary group hunting event permits. - Amends TCA Title 58 and Title 70.

SB 1140 allows Tennessee's Fish & Wildlife Commission to issue free temporary hunting licenses to veterans with any service-connected disability percentage who participate in hunts sponsored by not-for-profit organizations. The license is valid only for the duration of the specific hunting event (maximum 7 days) and requires a Veterans Administration certification as proof of disability. This policy change directly affects disabled veterans seeking access to organized hunting opportunities without cost. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 70-2-104 (hunting regulations) and 58 (fish & wildlife commission authority), effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free hunting licenses to disabled veterans with VA certification, expanding recreational access and services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 295: Education, Higher - As introduced, extends to the dependent children and spouses of veterans who sustained a permanent and total service-connected disability during a qualifying period of armed conflict the same waiver of all tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education being provided to the dependent children and spouses of veterans who were killed, died due to injuries received, or reported as prisoners of war or missing in action during a qualifying period of armed conflict. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 295 expands Tennessee's tuition waiver program for dependents of veterans to include children and spouses of veterans with permanent, total service-connected disabilities (100% disability rating). It directly affects dependent children under 23 and spouses of qualifying veterans who served during a qualifying conflict. The bill requires U.S. government certification of the disability, mandates Tennessee residency for the veteran at application, and sets a 10-year eligibility window for spouses. The waiver covers all tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, effective for the 2025-2026 academic term.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition waiver access for veterans' dependents at public higher ed institutions, increasing educational opportunities for eligible students.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSB 295 explicitly expands tuition waiver eligibility to include spouses/children of veterans with permanent service-connected disabilities (100% rating), directly advancing educational benefits for veterans' families beyond existing provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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