1 p.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - Budget Bills
- The defining feature of this $60 billion state budget will be the Republican-backed voucher scam -- a $7,300 voucher for 20,000 families who are enrolled in private school – costing taxpayers $150 million in year one.
- After a 2024 election cycle where Republican Party candidates promised to lower the cost of everything from grocery bills to energy costs, Tennessee’s controlling party will pass a budget with no broad relief or cost-cutting measures for working families.
- In fact, Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to rebuild the middle class by raising the minimum wage, repealing the grocery tax and reducing preschool costs by expanding pre-K to all four-year-olds.
The GOP even thwarted Gov. Bill Lee’s $60 million affordable housing proposal to speed the construction of starter homes.
- That said, there is a considerable amount of money dedicated to flood relief, but it’s a paltry amount compared to the total cost of rebuilding.
- So the Republican-designed FY 2026 budget will be known for its $7,300 handout to private school families and perhaps its $1 billion bond, which spoils the G.O.P.’s incessant talking point about Tennessee being a “no debt” state.
- All three budget bills will get a vote in the Senate this afternoon:
- SB1431 by Johnson - Appropriations Act, which includes all the spending for the upcoming fiscal year.
- SB1429 by Johnson - Budget Implementation Act
- SB1430 by Johnson - Bond bill, which authorizes the state to borrow $1 billion.
Republican effort urges support for 30% sales tax rate in Tennessee
1 p.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 5. HJR 0017 Johnson
- House Joint Resolution 17 urges the U.S. Congress to enact H.R. 25, the Fair Tax Act of 2023, which was described by the House sponsor as adding a national sales tax between 17%-23%.
- That’s in addition to Tennessee’s 9.5% state sales tax on purchases.
Business lobbyist asked for delay on G.O.P. bill that criminalizes farmers, contractors who house and transport undocumented workers
1 p.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 11. SB 0392 by Taylor
- Over the weekend corporate lobbyists with the NFIB began voicing concerns over Senate Bill 392, which expands Tennessee’s trafficking laws, for fear that business owners who hire undocumented workers could be charged under the bill. The bill sponsor delayed the vote until today.
- The bill creates criminal offenses for transporting or housing undocumented individuals “for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain.”
- That’s exactly what’s happening throughout Tennessee’s agriculture and construction industries, which rely on undocumented workers and are known to provide transportation and housing for these crews.
- The bill’s sponsor says he’s targeting human smugglers who are exploiting undocumented people.
G.O.P. grandstands against ‘DEI hires’ but allows nepotism, political hires
1 p.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - 16. 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 — who delayed a vote scheduled for Tuesday without explanation — says government hiring should only be based on “merit,” but his legislation still allows government officials to hire friends, family members and political 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 or 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 names I-40 span in Jefferson County “Donald J. Trump Bridge”
1 p.m. - Senate Regular Calendar - Watch - SB 0202 by Massey
- Lawmakers typically use the bridge and highway naming bill to honor Tennesseans who have served their community admirably.
- Today, the Senate will vote to name bridge on Interstate 40 near Douglas Lake in Jefferson County the "President Donald J. Trump Bridge.”
- Bold choice. Most things named after him have gone bankrupt and collapsed under pressure.
9 a.m. Finance, Ways & Means
1. *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. Donald J Trump Bridge?
2. *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.
3. SB1085 by Johnson. (*HB0777 by Reeves.)
Lottery, Scholarships and Programs - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9. As introduced, allows a private postsecondary institution that is a candidate for accreditation by a regional accrediting association and that has its primary campus domiciled in this state to serve as an institution at which a student may be enrolled for purposes of receiving financial aid funded using net proceeds of the state lottery.
Watch. Puts unbudgeted pressure on the Lottery Fund.
4. *HJR0001 by Campbell (HJR 0001 by Reedy)
Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to enact legislation to expand and improve efforts to treat traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans.
5. SB0714 by Taylor. (*HB0662 by White.)
Education - As amended, authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Education (DOE) to take certain intervention actions for Memphis schools.
Watch. More Republican overreach into local government. Republicans are trying to create a new state-run school district while other Republicans are trying to shut one down (ASD)
6. SB0918 by Campbell. (*HB0940 by Camper.)
Boats, Boating - Amends TCA Title 69, Chapter 9. As introduced, increases from 12 to 16, the minimum age for operating a personal watercraft without direct adult supervision; requires persons operating personal watercraft to maintain financial responsibility in the same amounts applicable to motor vehicles.
1 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar
1. SB1382 by Watson. (*HB0858 by Alexander.)
Commerce and Insurance, Dept. of - As amended, prohibits a health benefit plan that provides coverage for advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions from requiring the use of a step therapy protocol before the health benefit plan provides coverage of a federally-approved prescription drug to an enrollee who has received a diagnosis of advanced, metastatic cancer.
2. SB1384 by Watson. (*HB0683 by Lamberth.)
Private Protective Services - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 39 and Title 62, Chapter 35. As introduced, creates the enhanced armed guard certificate that may be obtained upon completion of certain training and other requirements by an armed security guard/officer who has at least five years of full-time experience as a law enforcement officer or four years of active duty military experience in a combat arms military occupational specialty; directs the commissioner of commerce and insurance to establish and approve an enhanced armed guard training course.
Gives security guards permission to carry long guns
3. SB1389 by Watson. (*HB0638 by Carringer.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71. As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider who participates in the TennCare or CoverKids programs from refusing to provide healthcare services to an enrollee based solely upon the enrollee’s refusal to obtain a vaccine or immunization; prohibits the bureau from reimbursing a healthcare provider in violation of such prohibition; requires the director to adopt rules.
Watch. Penalties for primary care providers who deny entry to unvaccinated families.
4. SB1400 by Roberts. (*HB1204 by Kumar.)
Criminal Offenses - With amendment, increases the license suspension period for individuals who refuse a blood test when suspected of a misdemeanor DUI, extending it from one year to one year and six months. It clarifies that refusing a chemical test remains a violation even if a blood sample is later obtained through lawful means. It authorizes oral fluid tests under specific conditions, including consent, a warrant, lawful arrest, or exigent circumstances, and makes the results admissible in court. Additionally, it increases certain sentencing enhancements from three to six years and from five to eight years.
5. SB1414 by Briggs. (*HB1242 by Helton-Haynes.)
Insurance, Health, Accident - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 56. As introduced, expands provisions prohibiting discrimination against 340B entities that are covered entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 256b.
This bill attempts to stop drug manufacturers from using loopholes and restrictions to undermine the 340B program, ensuring that hospitals and clinics can continue using their drug savings to provide affordable care.
6. SB1415 by Briggs. (*HB0751 by Faison.)
Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40. As introduced, creates the offense of knowingly engaging in conduct that places a child in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment by possessing any amount of fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil in the presence of the child; punishes the offense as a Class E felony if the child is over eight years of age and as a Class B felony if the child is eight years of age or less.
Huge enhancement. Perhaps the biggest problem with fentanyl is that people do not know the drugs they’re taking are cut with fentanyl
7. SB1426 by Watson. (*HB0411 by Lynn.)
TennCare - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71. As introduced, requires TennCare coverage of treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS).
8. *SJR0002 by Pody.
General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Expresses support for the Nation of Israel.
9. *SJR0028 by Lowe.
Memorials, Congress - Expresses support for the Constitutional Concealed Carry
Reciprocity Act of the 119th U.S. Congress.
10. *SJR0048 by Massey.
General Assembly, Review Or Ratification of Rules - Ratifies the increase of the 911 surcharge rate to $1.86 as approved by the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board.
Increases 911 user fees by $36 million annually. The alternative to this is relying on local governments to close any funding gaps.
11. SR0120 by Taylor.
General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges Supreme Court to draft and adopt codes of conduct in the court rules for district attorneys general, district public defenders, and court clerks; urges Supreme Court to create panel to investigate current complaints of misconduct regarding three elected district attorneys general.
12. *HJR0017 by Johnson. (HJR 0017 by McCalmon)
Memorials, Congress- Urges Congress to enact H.R. 25, the Fair Tax Act of 2023.
Add a national sales tax between 17% - 23% on every dollar Tennesseans spend. That is in addition to the 9.5% state sales tax on purchases. Regressive form of taxation.
13. SB0392 by Taylor. (*HB0322 by Todd.)
Criminal Offenses - Amends TCA Title 39. As introduced, creates the offense of human smuggling; creates the offense of harboring or hiding, or assisting another in harboring or hiding, within this state an individual who the person knows or should have known has illegally entered or remained in the United States; authorizes the attorney general to take certain actions against a person or organization who commits or is about to commit a human trafficking offense or an aggravated human trafficking offense.
This bill could jam up farmers who “harbor” undocumented workers on their farms and labor brokers who enlist undocumented workers in groups for subcontracting.
14. SB0778 by Lowe. (HB0816 by Travis.)
Driver Licenses - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50. As introduced, designates a traffic citation issued solely on the basis of a violation for the offense of driving while the person's driving privileges are canceled, suspended, or revoked as a nonmoving traffic violation.
15. *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.
16. 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.
17. 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."
18. 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.
19. *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.”
Message Calendar
1. *SB0202 by Massey. (HB0213 by Howell.)
Highways, Roads and Bridges - As amended, renames bridges and highways across the state.
Bridge and road renaming omnibus bill
2. *SB0885 by Reeves. (HB1133 by Boyd.)
Taxes - Amends TCA Title 67. As introduced, allows nuclear energy production facilities to seek pollution control tax credits for certain machinery and equipment. Amendment removes sales taxes on the enriching of uranium and the machinery needed for enriching uranium.
Watch. Interesting details in the fiscal note: There is one small modular reactor (SMR) planned to begin operations by 2033. It is assumed that the proposed exemption will apply to machinery and equipment purchased with regards to the construction of the SMR, if such purchases are not made directly by TVA. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) January 2024 report entitled Capital Cost and Performance Characteristics for Utility-Scale Electric Power Generating Technologies, capital costs for an SMR range between $1,000,000,000 and $5,000,000,000. According to the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council’s Final Report and Recommendations released in October 2024, the construction costs of an SMR in Tennessee is estimated to be approximately $1,400,000,000.
3. *SB1311 by Johnson. (HB1323 by Lamberth.)
Teachers, Principals and School Personnel - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 5 and Title 49, Chapter 6. As introduced, makes various changes to certain teacher licensure requirements.
Budget Bill - Regular Calendar 2
1. *SB1431 by Johnson. (HB1409 by Lamberth.)
Appropriations - As introduced, makes appropriations for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.
$60 billion / $29 billion
2. *SB1429 by Johnson. (HB1408 by Lamberth.)
Budget Procedures - As introduced, authorizes grant payments under the grant assistance program for nursing home care to be made either monthly or quarterly.
3. *SB1430 by Johnson. (HB1407 by Lamberth.)
Bond Issues - As introduced, authorizes the state to issue and sell bonds of up to $1,009,547,000.