Education, Higher - As introduced, establishes the hunger-free campus grant program; provides grants to higher education institutions to address student hunger. - Amends TCA Title 49.
HB 7 creates a state grant program to help Tennessee colleges and universities address student hunger. It requires participating institutions (including public universities like the University of Tennessee and accredited private schools) to establish a student-inclusive hunger task force, operate or partner with a campus food pantry, and use grant funds for meal programs or pantry support. Institutions receiving grants must also report annually on their efforts to reduce food insecurity and share data about student needs. The program, administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, depends on future legislative funding appropriations.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Last action Apr 15, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
11
Committee
15
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Education Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Higher Education Subcommittee to 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Higher Education Subcommittee for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Higher Education Subcommittee for 3/12/2025
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Higher Education Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Education Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Michael Hale
RRepublican
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