Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2026

HJR 1230: Memorials, Recognition - Norman G. "Greg" Lane -

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Norman G. "Greg" Lane for his distinguished service in the United States Army. It recognizes his career spanning over 25 years, including active duty from 1981 to 1993 and reserve service until 2005, during which he held various leadership roles in training and education. The resolution expresses gratitude for his contributions to developing future military leaders through his work with Army ROTC programs and acknowledges his induction into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame. This type of commemorative resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves to publicly recognize an individual's military service and achievements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally honors veteran Norman G. Lane for distinguished military service, expressing gratitude and recognition for his contributions to Army ROTC and leadership development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 436: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, revises the formula for calculating tax relief on real property owned by eligible disabled veterans so that in determining the amount of relief to such a taxpayer, the assessed value on the first $175,000 of full market value is to be multiplied by the ad valorem tax rate of the jurisdiction instead of by a rate that has been adjusted to reflect the relationship between appraised value and market value in that jurisdiction. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

HB 436 modifies property tax relief for eligible disabled veterans in Tennessee. It changes how tax relief is calculated by requiring that the first $175,000 of a property's full market value (used as the veteran's primary residence) be multiplied by the jurisdiction's standard property tax rate - not an adjusted rate - when determining relief. This directly affects disabled veterans who own qualifying residential property, ensuring relief is based on the actual local tax rate applied to their home. The change applies to tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and simplifies the calculation method for local governments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax relief for disabled veterans by changing calculation to standard tax rate, reducing their property tax burden. This alignates with tax relief for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax relief for disabled veterans by using standard tax rate instead of adjusted rate, directly expanding financial benefit for qualifying veterans' primary residences.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SJR 877: Memorials, Recognition - Women Veterans Appreciation Day -

This resolution designates June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day" in Tennessee. It honors the service of Tennessee's over 40,000 women veterans, recognizing their historical and ongoing contributions from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. The resolution commemorates milestones like the 1948 Women Armed Services Integration Act and highlights a planned Women Veterans Appreciation Week (June 7-13, 2026). It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges women veterans' service through state recognition. The resolution was introduced and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in early 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFormally recognizes women veterans' service and contributions through designated appreciation day, aligning with recognition indicator for support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2026

HJR 792: Memorials, Death - General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr. -

This resolution commemorates General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr.'s life and service to Tennessee, specifically honoring his decades of public service as a District Attorney General, military legal officer, and community leader in Hartsville. It expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family and recognizes his contributions to criminal justice, rural electrification through Tri-County Electric, and his deep ties to Hartsville and surrounding communities. The resolution has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor's signature.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors military legal officer's service via memorial resolution, aligning with veterans' recognition under topic description90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

in committee · Tennessee · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 52: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the "Veterans Assistance for Livelihood, Opportunity, and Relief (VALOR) Act," which exempts disabled veterans who have 100 percent permanent and total disability from a service-connected cause from the payment of certain taxes and fees. - Amends TCA Section 5-8-102; Title 55, Chapter 4; Title 67 and Title 70, Chapter 2.

HB 52, the VALOR Act, exempts Tennessee veterans with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability from specific taxes and fees. It removes the $10 fee for permanent hunting/fishing licenses, reimburses property taxes on their primary home, and waives registration fees for one vehicle (passenger car, RV, or half/¾-ton truck). Eligibility requires verification of disability status through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly benefiting qualifying veterans who own homes or vehicles in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for disabled veterans (waiving fees/taxes), directly reducing their tax burden. This aligns with 'support' indicators of tax relief for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts 100% disabled veterans from taxes/fees on licenses, property, and vehicle registration, directly expanding financial benefits per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 524: Montgomery County - As enacted, permits a court to transfer, upon motion by the defendant, a criminal case to the veterans treatment court program in Montgomery County if the veterans treatment court program would have jurisdiction over the case if the offense had been committed in Montgomery County, the defendant files with the court a written waiver of the right to be tried by an impartial jury of the county in which the crime was committed, and the district attorney general for Montgomery County agrees to accept transfer of the case. - Amends TCA Title 16 and Title 40.

HB 524 allows eligible veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to Montgomery County's veterans treatment court program under specific conditions. The bill affects veterans who meet the program's jurisdictional criteria (as if the crime occurred in Montgomery County), require a written waiver of their right to a jury trial in their home county, and have the Montgomery County District Attorney General agree to the transfer. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to permit this transfer process for contiguous counties with populations between 220,000-220,100 (based on 2020 census data), which Montgomery County satisfies. This creates a new procedural pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment courts instead of standard criminal proceedings. The bill became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor's approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables veterans' access to treatment courts, a rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform aimed at reducing recidivism through specialized programming rather than traditional punishment.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHB 524 creates a pathway for veterans to access specialized treatment court instead of standard criminal proceedings, promoting rehabilitation and support services for veterans facing charges.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 479: Military - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act." - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2.

HB 479 creates the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act," establishing a state reimbursement program for eligible Tennessee National Guard members. It directly affects Guard members who pay premiums for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage, allowing the state to reimburse them for those premiums if not already covered by federal funds. The program requires members to apply through the military department's guidelines, with reimbursement ceasing if federal assistance covers the same costs. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and requires separate state funding appropriations to operate.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses premiums for National Guard healthcare coverage, funding a key benefit for veterans' medical readiness95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 276: Naming and Designating - As enacted, designates the National Guard Armory in Cheatham County as the "First Sergeant Charles Anderson Douglas National Guard Armory." -

SB 276 designates Cheatham County's National Guard Armory as the "First Sergeant Charles Anderson Douglas National Guard Armory" to honor his service. The bill directly affects the armory's official name and requires signage identifying it by that name. It is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding mechanisms, simply recognizing First Sergeant Charles Anderson Douglas's military service and advocacy for the armory's construction.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a veteran's service via facility naming, aligning with recognition indicator under SUPPORT. No policy/financial impact, but directly recognizes veteran contribution.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

died · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1164: Law Enforcement - As enacted, authorizes uniformed law enforcement officers to wear decorations, medals, service medals, and badges awarded to the officers by the armed forces of the United States, the Tennessee national guard, or the state guard during the week prior to Veterans Day and Memorial Day, the day of Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and the day immediately following Veterans Day and Memorial Day. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 58.

HB 1164 allows uniformed law enforcement officers in Tennessee to wear military medals, badges, or service decorations earned from the U.S. Armed Forces, Tennessee National Guard, or State Guard during specific periods around Veterans Day and Memorial Day. This includes the week before, the holiday itself, and the day after each observance. The bill permits this temporary wearing, though employers may still prohibit it if they determine it poses a safety risk to officers or the public. The policy directly affects Tennessee law enforcement personnel during these designated holiday periods.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows law enforcement to display military honors during Veterans Day/Memorial Day, recognizing veteran service through symbolic acknowledgment during official observances.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 114: Scholarships and Financial Aid - As enacted, makes various changes to the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 10.

HB 114 amends Tennessee's STRONG Act to expand educational benefits for National Guard members. It explicitly covers mandatory fees (like parking, tech, and library fees) and master's degree program fees, in addition to 100% of in-state tuition. The bill increases the maximum credit hours for eligibility from 120 to 130 and requires reimbursement applications within 45 days of course completion. It also adds eligibility requirements, barring members suspended from federal tuition assistance due to academic issues. This law, effective May 2, 2025, directly affects Tennessee National Guard members pursuing higher education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded educational benefits for National Guard, increasing appropriations for scholarships and mandatory fee coverage under STRONG Act.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition coverage and fees for National Guard education benefits, increasing access and funding for higher education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition coverage to include mandatory fees and master's programs, increases credit hours, and speeds reimbursement for National Guard veterans' education benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans