Education - As enacted, authorizes local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies to allow schools in the LEA or the public charter school, as applicable, to display the Ten Commandments, the first sentence of the second paragraph of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and the preamble to the United States Constitution in a prominent location in a school building. - Amends TCA Title 49.
SB 303 would allow Tennessee public schools and charter schools to display specific historical documents - such as the Ten Commandments, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Tennessee Constitution, Bill of Rights, or school history resolutions - in prominent locations like entryways or cafeterias. It requires these displays to be in hard copy (e.g., posters) and lets school boards decide placement and size. The bill aims to educate students on "historical significance and common cultural heritage" as stated in its text. It directly affects all Tennessee public school districts and charter schools.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Last action May 14, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
5
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
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Pody
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 303
Scope: TN
Hi! I can help you understand SB 303. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline