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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 48 would change Tennessee's property tax relief for disabled veterans by removing a market value cap on the primary residence. It requires the state to fully reimburse eligible disabled veterans for all local property taxes paid on their primary home each year, instead of capping the relief at a specific property value. This applies to veterans already qualifying for property tax relief under current law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and is funded through state general funds.
HB 812 would allocate 1% of revenue from Tennessee's sports gaming tax to the Department of Veterans Services for veterans' services. This new funding stream would be in addition to the existing 4% allocated to mental health services, meaning sports gaming tax revenue would now support both areas. The bill amends Tennessee Code to require this specific allocation, effective July 1, 2025. The primary direct beneficiary is the Department of Veterans Services, which would receive dedicated state funds for its programs.
HB 53 would regulate paid advisors who assist veterans with claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee's Department of Veterans Services. It requires written agreements that cap fees at five times the monthly benefit increase (if successful), prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees, and bans guarantees of specific outcomes. The bill mandates clear disclosures that the service is not affiliated with government agencies and that free assistance may be available, while restricting how veterans' personal information is handled and requiring background checks for staff accessing such data. Violations would be subject to penalties under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, but the law does not apply to VA-accredited representatives.
HB 328 requires Tennessee state parks to offer veterans who are Tennessee residents the same discounts for activities, camping, lodging, and retail purchases as those provided to state employees. It specifically mandates a year-round 50% discount on camping and cabin fees for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (verified by the VA), subject to availability and reservations made within 30 days. Veterans must provide proof of residency and VA disability status to qualify for the 50% discount, while standard veteran discounts require only proof of veteran status and residency. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all state parks managed under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Chapter 3.
SB 473, the VALOR Act, would exempt Tennessee veterans with 100% service-connected disability (verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying certain fees and taxes. It removes the $10 fee for permanent sport hunting/fishing licenses, requires state reimbursement of local property taxes on a veteran’s primary residence, and eliminates vehicle registration fees for one private passenger vehicle, RV, or truck under 3/4 ton. The exemption applies to veterans who own and use their primary residence as their main home. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.
HB 342, the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act," regulates paid advisors who assist veterans with benefit claims. It prohibits charging upfront or nonrefundable fees, guaranteeing specific outcomes, or receiving compensation for referrals, and requires written agreements that tie payment solely to actual benefit increases (capped at five times the monthly increase). The law mandates clear disclosures to clients about free services available through government agencies and sets data privacy rules, including background checks for staff handling veterans' sensitive information. Violations are treated as consumer protection law violations, with penalties paid to the state general fund, though VA-accredited representatives remain exempt.
