SJR 559 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to pass the Eliminating Discrimination And Creating Corridors to Expand Student Success (ED ACCESS) Act of 2022. -

SJR 559 is a Tennessee legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass the ED ACCESS Act of 2022. This federal bill would remove a ban preventing students with felony drug convictions from accessing the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), a key federal tax credit for college costs. The resolution cites research showing correctional education programs reduce recidivism and argues that denying the AOTC makes college less affordable for this group without deterring drug crime, noting similar restrictions don’t apply to other felonies. It does not change current law but formally supports federal action to address this policy.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Apr 20, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
5
Apr 20, 2026
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 2/3/2026
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bill Powers
Bill Powers
RRepublican
TN
22