SB 479 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

General Assembly - As introduced, enacts the "Restoring State Sovereignty Through Nullification Act," which establishes processes by which the general assembly may nullify an unconstitutional federal statute, regulation, agency order, or executive order. - Amends TCA Title 3 and Title 4.

SB 479, the "Restoring State Sovereignty Through Nullification Act," proposes a process for Tennessee's General Assembly to declare certain federal actions unconstitutional and void. It directly affects Tennessee's legislative body, which would have the authority to nullify federal statutes, regulations, agency orders, or executive orders it deems beyond constitutional limits. The bill establishes specific procedures for the General Assembly to review and formally reject such federal actions based on its interpretation of separation of powers and the Tenth Amendment. This is a proposed legislative mechanism, not yet enacted, and remains pending before the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
Bill status in committee 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2024
House Passage
Apr 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Mar 11, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2024 · House Apr 11, 2024

How they voted

270
Passed
Total votes 27
Mar 21, 2024
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican21
21 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/11/2025
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/11/2025
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 11, 2024
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (69-6-4)
house
Mar 21, 2024
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (27-0)
senate
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Janice Bowling
Janice Bowling
RRepublican
TN
16