Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 30, 2026

HJR 1422: Memorials, Death - Jerome "Hertis" Phillips -

This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors the memory of Jerome "Hertis" Phillips, a resident of Oneida who passed away. The document outlines his life achievements, including his service in the U.S. Army, his work as a minister, his long tenure as a supervisor and county commissioner, and his dedication to his family. It expresses the General Assembly's respect for his public service and offers condolences to his surviving wife, children, and other relatives. Once enacted, the resolution serves as an official record of appreciation for his contributions to his community and state.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a veteran's service, explicitly recognizing his U.S. Army contribution as a public service achievement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 478: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires an annual training pay bonus supplement for eligible campus police officers and public safety officers in the amount of $800. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 38 and Section 49-7-118.

SB 478 requires Tennessee colleges and universities to provide eligible campus police officers and public safety officers with an annual $800 cash bonus for completing required in-service training. The bill also ensures officers who served in active military duty during designated conflicts (and were unable to attend training due to service) receive the bonus regardless of training completion. This applies to officers at institutions covered under Tennessee’s campus law enforcement statutes. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement training via $800 annual bonus for campus officers, strengthening officer preparedness and retention under criminal justice law enforcement policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates $800 annual cash bonus for eligible campus police officers completing training, expanding their compensation benefits per Labor & Employment topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecifically grants $800 bonus to officers who served in military conflicts and missed training due to service, recognizing veteran contributions in law enforcement roles.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

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

signed · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2026

HJR 721: Memorials, Retirement - Master Sergeant Rachel J. Wilson, U.S. Air Force -

HJR 721 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Master Sergeant Rachel J. Wilson upon her retirement from the U.S. Air Force. It recognizes her 20+ years of military service, including roles as a Cyber Systems Operations Craftsman with the Tennessee Air National Guard and deployments during operations in Iraq. The resolution formally commends her for distinguished service, specific career achievements, and numerous awards like the Air Force Commendation Medal. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any policies or individuals beyond this expression of gratitude.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors specific veteran's service via non-binding resolution, aligning with recognition indicator but lacking policy impact75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 505: 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.

SB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables veterans treatment court transfers to prioritize rehabilitation over traditional prosecution, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and address underlying issues for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnables veterans facing criminal charges to access specialized treatment courts focused on rehabilitation rather than traditional prosecution, addressing underlying issues through targeted support programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

Track

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 · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 948: Housing - As enacted, requires certain property, projects, and joint ventures to meet certain requirements if a legislative body of a county or municipality adopts by resolution or ordinance an affordable housing program. - Amends TCA Title 47 and Title 67.

The bill title provided in your query (about housing) does not match the actual bill text, which is about veterans' property tax exemptions. SB 948 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, to require disabled veterans to provide documentation of their military service and disability to qualify for a property tax exemption. This change directly affects disabled veterans seeking the exemption, as they must now submit proof of service and disability to the relevant authority. The bill was signed by the Governor and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax exemption for disabled veterans, a form of tax relief, directly supporting Budget & Taxes topic through tax reduction.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires documentation for disabled veterans to qualify for property tax exemption, ensuring program integrity and protecting the benefit for eligible veterans.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans