SB 1828 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Education - As enacted, enacts the "Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act." - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 1828 requires public schools and colleges in Tennessee to include instruction on the "positive impacts of religion on American history" when teaching American history. It specifically allows teachers to cover 19 historical examples, such as the Pilgrims' religious practices, religious references in the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's views on religion, and the role of religious leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. The bill states this teaching is consistent with the First Amendment and aims to provide an "accurate historical account" of religion's influence. It applies to all public school teachers, administrators, and higher education instructors in Tennessee, though it does not mandate specific content - only that these topics may be included. The bill claims this approach reduces "ignorance of American history, hate, and violence."
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Apr 14, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
8
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0813)
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 70, Nays 22, PNV 0
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0674)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 6
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Paul Rose
Paul Rose
RRepublican
TN
32