1:30 p.m. - Finance, Ways & Means - Watch - Budget Bills
- Yesterday, Senate Republicans on the appropriations subcommittee voted to add millions worth of earmarks to Gov.
Bill Lee’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, potentially diverting an equal amount away from the administration’s spending priorities.
- Neither Gov. Lee nor Senate Republicans included tax cuts that would benefit working families or initiatives that will broadly combat rising prices and inflation.
- A few notable line items added by the Senate GOP: Another $4.5 million for the attorney general, whose budget has nearly doubled since 2019. $4 million for county health departments to backfill cuts to CDC grant funding courtesy of Trump and DOGE. $35 million to extend a tax break for companies that provide broadband internet.
- Today, Senate Republicans will introduce the budget bills and reveal a detailed look at the changes they made to the governor’s spending plan.
- 11. SB1429 by Johnson - Budget Implementation Act
- 12. SB1430 by Johnson - Bond bill, which authorizes the state to borrow $1 billion.
- 13. SB1431 by Johnson - Appropriations Act, which includes all the spending for the upcoming fiscal year.
G.O.P. grandstands against ‘DEI hires’ but allows nepotism, political hires
10 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 2. SB 1083 *Johnson, Hensley
- Senate Bill 1083 would enact the "Dismantle DEI Act" which prohibits state agencies, local governments and colleges from basing hiring decisions on metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
- The Republican sponsor claimed he believes government hiring should only be based on “merit,” but his legislation still allows government officials to hire friends, family members and campaign supporters.
- Republicans have proven they fundamentally do not understand the purpose of “diversity, equity and inclusions” initiatives, which are meant to ensure that everyone in the organization feels respected and valued.
- Instead of canceling DEI initiatives and playing into FOX News stereotypes, the Republican Party should be focused on real problems, like Tennessee’s road funding crisis, spiraling healthcare costs and sky-high inflation.
- Extra Useless: The next bill on the calendar follows the same failed thinking – SB 1084 *Johnson, called the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act."
Bill forces Memphis’ utility to serve a new customer outside the city
10 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 6. SB1138 by Taylor
- A developer building a housing subdivision outside of the city of Memphis was rejected on his application to connect his subdivision to the city’s sewer system operated by Memphis Light, Gas & Water.
- Rather than investing in an alternative sewer system for the property, the developer called his friends in the Tennessee General Assembly. Those Shelby County Republicans filed a bill designed to force the city-owned utility to serve that developer’s subdivision.
- It wasn’t long ago state Republicans gave Shelby County communities the right to de-annex from Memphis, but they still want their friends to have the benefits of being in the city.
- You can read about the entire saga in documents submitted to the Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation (page 59).
Sen. Akbari bill probes spate of false DUI arrests
10 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 15. *SB1166 by Akbari.
- More than 600 sober drivers have been arrested on suspicion of DUI in Tennessee, according to news reports by WSMV4 Investigates. The reporter found that innocent drivers are losing their jobs and insurance while they wait on the evidence to exonerate them.
- Sen. Raumesh Akbari wants to figure out why so many officers are charging sober drivers with drunken driving charges.
- Senate Bill 1166 will require the TBI to provide an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the instances of sober drivers being charged with DUI. If patterns are revealed, the senator will recommend corrective actions be taken.
GOP shutters failed state school district as it considers Memphis schools takeover
10 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 26. *SB1273 by Johnson
- Senate Bill 1273 will officially close the failed Achievement School District, a state school district established over a decade ago to seize low-performing schools from their local school districts. The results have been abysmal.
- Just as Republican lawmakers are finally admitting their mistake with the ASD, some in the Republican Party are backing a bill that allows the state to takeover Memphis Shelby County Schools.
G.O.P. bill shields gun industry from accountability—even in cases of negligence
10 a.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 33. SB1360 by Hensley
- Senate Bill 1360 creates more legal protections for gun manufacturers by raising the burden of proof to an extremely high “clear and convincing evidence” standard and requiring that plaintiffs prove a dealer or manufacturer directly caused harm.
- It also eliminates longstanding legal avenues such as negligence per se and limits claims of negligent entrustment. Even if a gun seller knowingly arms someone dangerous, victims may have no recourse. This sets a dangerous precedent by treating gun sellers differently from every other industry.
- The bill expands state preemption and further strips local governments of their ability to regulate firearms and ammunition—even on commonsense matters like where guns can be discharged.
- Gun shot wounds are the leading cause of death for children in the state of Tennessee.
G.O.P. eyes state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools
1 p.m. - Finance, Ways & Means - Watch - 21. SB0714 by Taylor
- Republican-backed legislation that would strip power from the locally elected Memphis-Shelby County Schools board and create a state-appointed panel to oversee the district is scheduled to get its first hearing in the state Senate.
- The state of Tennessee has a piss-poor record of managing school districts. The Achievement School District was marketed as a needed intervention to turnaround under-resourced schools, but the results never materialized.
- Here’s a novel idea! Instead of taking over local schools, Republicans in the legislature could invest in public school students. Under Republican control, Tennessee ranks 45th in the nation for per student spending – behind all eight of our neighboring states.
G.O.P. bill dismantles Human Rights Commission, moves civil rights enforcement to biased Attorney General
1 p.m. - Finance, Ways & Means - Watch - 30. SB 0861 *Stevens
- This Republican-backed bill would terminate the independent watchdog protecting the civil rights of workers, renters, homeowners and consumers.
- The Human Rights Commission has safeguarded the civil rights of Tennesseans since 1963 by investigating reports of discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. The Commission generally resolves issues without costly litigation.
- Senate Bill 861 would move the division under the Republican Attorney General, a political appointee who has actively undermined the civil rights of women, minorities, students and LGTBQ families.
10 a.m. Senate Floor
1. *SB1059 by Lowe. (HB1073 by Garrett.)
Election Laws - As amended, specifies that “contribution” as it relates to campaign finances does not include any activity done independently of or in coordination with a candidate, their political campaign committee, or their agent, related to the development, production, and use of canvassing literature and scripts used in door-knocking campaigns, and including the cost of paying canvassers, recording answers to scripted questions, and compiling and storing data received as a result of door-knocking.
Bill amends “Campaign Finance” chapter definition on “contributions.”
Bill adds a section under the clause “Contribution shall not be construed to include the following:”
The end results looks like coordinated, PAC-funded canvassing would no longer be considered a campaign contribution.
2. SB1083 by Johnson. (*HB0622 by Maberry.)
Local Government, General - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49. As introduced, enacts the "Dismantle DEI Act," which prohibits local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate in order to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace.
3. SB1084 by Johnson (*HB0923 by Maberry.)
Human Rights - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49, Chapter 7. As introduced, enacts the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act."
4. *SB1133 by Gardenhire. (HB1256 by Doggett.)
Criminal Offenses - As amended, mandates that when a court issues a bench warrant or capias, the defendant must be listed as a fugitive from justice in available state and federal databases, including the National Crime Information Center. The judicial official must sign the warrant by the end of the business day, and the clerk must transmit it to the entering agency within one business day. The entering agency then has three business days to add the warrant to the databases, and a surety is not liable if this is not done. If the defendant is apprehended out of state in an area beyond the listed extradition limits, the district attorney general must decide within one business day whether to initiate extradition proceedings.
5. SB1135 by Bailey. (*HB1050 by Parkinson.)
Nuisances - As amended, establishes that certain specified circumstances automatically qualify as a nuisance. It allows courts to require those responsible for maintaining a nuisance to pay statutory damages between $1,000 and $50,000. Eligible claimants include property owners within the same zip code as the nuisance who file a claim asserting property value damage.
6. SB1138 by Taylor. (*HB0543 by Vaughan.)
Sewage - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 35; Title 7, Chapter 82 and Title 68, Chapter 221. As introduced, prohibits a municipal sewer system or utility district that has operated a sewerage system outside of the corporate boundaries of the city or town for 25 years or more from ceasing operation of the sewerage system outside the corporate boundaries so long as the sewerage system maintains sufficient capacity, as determined by a study conducted by TACIR.
Watch. Legislative overreach. Forcing the Memphis-owned utility into a decision that benefits a developer and is not in the policy of the utility.
7. *SB1143 by Crowe. (HB1283 by Hill.)
Election Laws - As amended, requires the Coordinator of Elections to include training on temporary forms of identification issued to non-United States citizens that may not be used as identification for voting purposes as part of the educational standards for election officials.
8. *SB0128 by Bailey. (HB0164 by Marsh.)
Professions and Occupations - As amended, requires the Board of Chiropractic Examiners (BCE) to adopt rules for: (1) regulating the practice of animal chiropractic; (2) establishing educational standards for certification of a chiropractic physician to perform animal chiropractic; and (3) establishing health and sanitation standards for a facility where a chiropractic physician performs animal chiropractic and human patients are treated.
9. *SB0298 by Roberts. (HB1197 by Kumar.)
Education, Curriculum - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6. As introduced, makes various changes to the approval process and notice requirements for nonsectarian, nonreligious Bible courses; clarifies that public charter schools are authorized to provide nonsectarian, nonreligious Bible courses in the same manner as local education agencies.
10. *SB0322 by Massey. (HB0915 by Sparks.)
Salaries and Benefits - Amends TCA Section 8-50-813. As introduced, grants eligible employees leave of up to six workweeks because the employee is caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
11. SB0519 by Roberts. (*HB0219 by Reedy.)
Real Property - Amends TCA Title 66, Chapter 2, Part 3. As introduced, requires foreign persons who purchase land in this state and who file a report of such purchase to the United States department of agriculture under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to also file the report with the commissioner of agriculture.
12. *SB1153 by Crowe. (HB1205 by Kumar.)
Physicians and Surgeons - As amended, authorizes a physician, including an osteopathic physician, or podiatrist, to prescribe, dispense, or administer medication for, or otherwise treat, the physician's or podiatrist's own self in short-term, minor, or acute emergency situations. Authorizes a physician to prescribe, dispense, or administer medication for, or otherwise treat, immediate family within the physician's regular scope of practice if there is no other physician offering healthcare services at a location within 30 miles of the physician's primary practice site. Authorizes a physician or podiatrist to prescribe, dispense, or administer a scheduled drug to their own self or for immediate family only in acute, emergency situations.
13. *SB1399 by Roberts. (HB1353 by Littleton.)
Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16. As introduced, creates an offense for a person who harms or threatens to harm an individual involved in the judicial process or a family member of such person with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against the justice system participant in connection with their participation in the judicial process, punishable as a Class E felony.
Isn’t it already illegal to harm someone or threaten to harm them?
14. SB0606 by Bailey. (*HB0495 by Baum.)
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68. As introduced, rewrites the fee limits for a party requesting a patient's medical record in either paper or electronic format from a provider or the provider's third-party release of information provider.
15. *SB1166 by Akbari. (HB1274 by Shaw.)
DUI Offenses - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 38. As introduced, requires the Tennessee bureau of investigation to provide a report to the speakers of the senate and the house of representatives on or before January 1 each year detailing the instances in the most recent year for which complete data is available in which a person who was arrested for driving under the influence but where no alcohol or other intoxicants are detected in the person's blood or breath.
False DUI bill
16. SB1168 by Akbari. (*HB0778 by McKenzie.)
Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - With amendment, requires OREA to conduct a study and provide recommendations to the appropriate General Assembly Education committees concerning the implementation of an incentive programs for educators with 15 or more years of experience. The study must be complete and a report submitted by no later than December 31, 2025.
17. SB1172 by Akbari. (*HB0686 by Camper.)
Historical Sites and Preservation - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9 and Title 13. As introduced, enacts the "African American Cultural and Historical Grant Act."
18. SB1193 by Gardenhire. (*HB0863 by Faison.)
Local Government, General - As amended, requires all multi-family facilities, buildings, and structures constructed under a voluntary attainable housing incentive program to be deed-restricted for at least 30 years, rather than in perpetuity.
19. SB1201 by Jackson. (*HB1090 by Sexton.)
Correction, Dept. of - As amended, requires the Department of Correction to use existing resources to conduct a study on the construction and operation of a facility designed to house eligible inmates who are working to reenter society after incarceration.
20. SB1202 by Jackson. (*HB0671 by Scarbrough.)
Bonding, Surety and Professional - As amended, allows a surety to petition the court for release from their obligations after bond forfeiture, provided they demonstrate good faith efforts to locate the principal. The court will hold a hearing to evaluate these efforts, and if satisfied, may release the surety from further obligations. Additionally, the amendment requires bondsmen to initial each page of the bond order to confirm their awareness of the bond conditions, with a copy retained by the clerk and provided to the bondsman.
21. *SB1239 by Jackson. (HB1357 by Littleton.)
Children's Services, Dept. of - As amended, Enacts the End Childhood Hunger
Act, which creates a task force that is administratively attached to the Department of Human Services (DHS) to recommend a strategic action plan to guide the administration and Tennessee General Assembly on how to end childhood hunger.
22. *SB1240 by Jackson. (HB1351 by Littleton.)
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As amended, establishes certification standards for recovery residences, requiring organizations approved by the commissioner to enforce specific policies.
23. *SB1241 by Jackson. (HB1360 by Littleton.)
Child Abuse - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39. As introduced, expands the definition of child abuse to include a person under the age of 18 witnessing the abuse of another child in the person's immediate family or household or domestic abuse of a member of the person's immediate family or household; specifies that reunification between a parent and a child placed in foster care due to abuse must not occur unless the parent has complied with the parent's statement of responsibilities in the permanency plan and the child has received mental health counseling.
24. *SB1265 by Johnson. (HB1302 by Lamberth.)
Agriculture, Dept. of - Amends TCA Title 53, Chapter 7 and Chapter 380 of the Public Acts of 2023. As introduced, revises the Tennessee Meat Inspection Act to facilitate the implementation of a state meat inspection program.
25. *SB1271 by Johnson. (HB1306 by Lamberth.)
Economic and Community Development - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 53; Title 9, Chapter 21 and Title 9, Chapter 23. As introduced, clarifies that certain definitions concerning housing facilities and developments with regard to industrial development corporations include affordable and workforce housing; authorizes a municipality or county to approve amendments to an economic impact plan when approving the plan.
26. *SB1273 by Johnson (HB1307 by Lamberth.)
Education, Dept. of- As amended, sunsets the Achievement School District (ASD). In its place, this bill establishes a tiered intervention system for schools identified as priority schools. The system gives LEAs three options for existing ASD schools with progressing interventions from the first to the third tier (most intensive).
Ending the failed state ASD.
27. SB1274 by Johnson. (*HB0124 by Lamberth.)
Environment and Conservation, Department of - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 203, Part 1 and Title 68, Chapter 211, Part 1. As introduced, makes various changes related to fees set by the department for environmental regulatory programs; makes changes to the regulation of coal combustion residuals disposal units.
28. SB1291 by Johnson. (*HB0114 by Lamberth.)
Scholarships and Financial Aid - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 10. As introduced, makes various changes to the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act.
29. *SB1316 by Johnson. (HB1330 by Lamberth.)
Boards and Commissions - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 20; Title 33; Title 38; Title 40; Title 52; Title 55; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68; Title 70 and Title 76. As introduced, enacts the "Less is More Act of 2025."
30. *SB1318 by Johnson. (HB1332 by Lamberth.)
Correction, Dept. of - As amended, revises the age that one can apply for a lawful handgun carry permit from 21 years of age to 18 years of age as long as they are a lawful resident of the state.
Handgun carry permit at age 18.
31. *SB1346 by Yarbro. (HB1299 by Lamberth.)
Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 39, Chapter 17. As introduced, creates a civil and criminal action for individuals who are the subject of an intimate digital depiction that is disclosed without the individual's consent under certain circumstances.
32. *SB1359 by Watson. (HB1344 by Lamberth.)
Education, Higher - With amendment, allows institutions to request their unspent capital outlay funds (from Public Chapter 1130(2022)) be redirected to other purposes. Requests under this part would be submitted to the comptroller’s office who would approve or deny the request, set the parameters for an approved request, and disburse funds as approved. Lastly, the comptroller would be required to submit quarterly reports to the speakers of both houses and select committees relative to institutions that have requested redirection of funds.
33. SB1360 by Hensley. (*HB0873 by Fritts.)
Remedies and Special Proceedings - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 42 and Title 39. As introduced, removes the ability to bring a civil liability action for negligence per se against a seller of a qualified product; expands "qualified products" to include knives, body armor, pepper spray, silencers, and other certain products; requires physical injury for a negligent entrustment action rather than an unreasonable risk of physical injury; specifies that a person who will be subject to an ordinance in the future or reasonably intends to be physically present in the political subdivision is an adversely affected party for purposes of filing certain actions; makes various other changes regarding civil actions against arms dealers, manufacturers, and sellers and the preemption of local regulation of firearms.
1 p.m. Senate Finance, Ways & Means
1. *SB0300 by Roberts. (HB0371 by Scarbrough.)
Sentencing - As amended, requires, in addition to any other sentence authorized under current law, a person convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in general sessions court to complete a cognitive behavioral training course.
What purpose does this cognitive training course serve – other than to deplete the pockets of the defendant?
2. *SB0409 by Bailey. (HB0487 by Farmer.)
Clerks, Court - As amended, increases incrementally court costs and various fees charged by the clerks of court for a wide variety of services and filings in state and local courts over the next three fiscal years in varying amounts. Requires filing fees and cost in civil cases to be collected at the time services are requested from the clerk or another officer of the court.
More fees
3. *SB0203 by Massey. (HB0212 by Howell.)
Special License Plates - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4. As introduced, authorizes a person who holds an official amateur radio station license issued by the federal communications commission to submit an application for issuance of a special purpose plate and proof of license to the county clerk electronically, by mail, or in person.
Specialty license plate omnibus bill
4. *SB0324 by Massey. (HB1200 by Kumar.)
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - Amends TCA Title 18; Section 38-6-103; Title 39 and Title 40. As introduced, enacts "Savanna's Law," which creates a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders; requires the bureau to maintain the registry.
5. SB0869 by Hensley. (*HB0938 by Capley.)
Licenses - Amends TCA Title 70. As introduced, creates a bait privilege license to allow hunting or taking of whitetail deer and wild-appearing swine using bait on privately owned or privately leased land.
6. SB0693 by Johnson. (*HB0045 by McCalmon.)
Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40. As introduced, increases the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony for a person who commits child abuse by knowingly treating a child between the ages of nine and 17 in such a manner as to inflict injury.
7. SB1085 by Johnson. (