Education - As enacted, generally provides that a middle school student or high school student who transfers from one member school to another is immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at the member school to which the student transfers if certain criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 49.
SB 16 prohibits Tennessee public schools from using public funds to join athletic associations that restrict student participation based on limited school transfers (allowing only one transfer without penalty). The bill requires athletic associations to comply with open meeting laws and undergo annual audits by the state comptroller to ensure transparency. It also establishes procedures for schools to notify athletic associations about students in foster care, with strict consent requirements under privacy laws. The legislation affects public schools, athletic associations, and student athletes by changing how school funding is allocated for athletic participation rules. This bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Failed
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Signed Feb 23, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Apr 7, 2025 · House Apr 17, 2025
How they voted
28–5
Passed
Total votes 33
Apr 7, 2025
D
Democratic6
83% Yea
R
Republican27
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
39
Key actions
16
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Feb 23, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 30, Nays 2 (Amendment 1 - HA0299)
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 30, Nays 2 (Amendment 3 - HA0543)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 3 - HA0543)
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 83, Nays 10, PNV 0
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0299)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (29-69)
house
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0269)
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 4
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 3 PNV 0
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/12/2025
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Adam Lowe
RRepublican
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