Government Operations

SB 1562 extends the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board's existence until June 30, 2029, and requires the board to submit a progress report to the Education, Health, and General Welfare Joint Evaluation Committee by December 31, 2026. This report must address findings from a December 2025 performance audit of the board's operations. The bill directly affects the board's structure and reporting obligations, ensuring ongoing oversight of veterans' homes management. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-247 and 4-29-250 to reflect these changes.

SB 1513 extends the existence of Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS) until June 30, 2029, instead of allowing it to sunset earlier. It requires DCS to report to the Government Operations Committee by December 31, 2026, on its progress addressing issues identified in a December 2025 performance audit. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections (Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 37, Chapter 5) to implement these changes. This directly affects DCS operations and its accountability to the specified legislative committee, with no immediate changes to child welfare services or public eligibility.

HB 2080 changes the governance of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) by replacing its current board with a new nine-member board appointed by the governor (3 members), Senate Speaker (3 members), and House Speaker (3 members), effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires that certain information about the corporation’s CEO, including compensation and employment details, be subject to public records requests under Tennessee law. It also sets a termination date for the TELC on June 30, 2030, ending the corporation’s operations. The new board will assume all existing authority and contracts without interruption after the transition.

SB 2228 modifies Tennessee's education laws by ending the Dyslexia Advisory Council and directing the existing Advisory Council for Students with Disabilities to handle dyslexia-related matters. It also terminates the Energy Efficient Schools Council and creates a new Office of Energy Efficient Schools within the Department of Education. The bill expands eligibility for individualized education accounts, which allow families to use public funds for approved educational services. These changes affect students with dyslexia or disabilities, families using education accounts, and the Department of Education's administrative structure, while amending multiple education-related statutes.

SB 2403 requires Tennessee public schools to annually report all local assessments (including purpose, subject, grade level, and administration schedule) to the state Department of Education. This information must be published online for public access by July 2027, allowing parents and students to compare assessments across schools. The bill eliminates schools' ability to use non-state universal reading screeners for kindergarten through third grade, mandating instead the state-provided Tennessee universal reading screener. Additionally, it creates an Assessment Review Board of nine classroom teachers to evaluate the state's assessment program tests from the previous school year.