SB 161 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires each board of education for an LEA that operates at least one high school to adopt and implement a policy to authorize a high school student to serve as an advisory, nonvoting representative on the board during meetings that are open to the public. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 2.

SB 161 requires Tennessee school districts with high schools to adopt a policy allowing one junior or senior student to serve as a nonvoting representative on each school board. The student must attend all public board meetings (excluding confidential sessions), serve at least one school year, and meet eligibility criteria set by the board. School boards must establish a fair selection process ensuring all high schools within the district have equal opportunity for student representation. The policy must be implemented by the 2025-2026 school year, with students receiving no salary but possible reimbursement for reasonable expenses. This bill directly affects local education agencies and high school students in Tennessee.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 3, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

290
Passed
Total votes 29
Apr 3, 2025
D Democratic5
5 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican24
24 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
14
Committee
7
Amendments
2
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 33, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA0420)
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0163)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0420)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 86, Nays 1, PNV 6
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0279)
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays 0
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 1
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 27, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joey Hensley
Joey Hensley
RRepublican
TN
28