SB 536 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Sports - As enacted, revises present law relative to an intercollegiate athlete's name, image, or likeness. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 536 requires the Tennessee higher education commission to report by December 31, 2025, on how public universities use tuition discounts and waivers, including their financial impact and effects on student academic outcomes. The bill directs the commission to evaluate state financial support tied to these discounts and submit the report to the governor and relevant legislative committees. It does not address athlete name/image/likeness rights (as incorrectly stated in the title), but instead mandates a state-level review of tuition discount policies. The law took effect May 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 1, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

370
Passed
Total votes 37
Mar 24, 2025
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
10
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 33, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0234)
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0234)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 78, Nays 9, PNV 8
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0174)
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025
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
Photo of John Stevens
John Stevens
RRepublican
TN
24