SB 651 revises how Tennessee calculates property tax relief for eligible disabled veterans who own their primary residence. The bill changes the formula so that tax relief is determined by multiplying the assessed value (25% of the first $175,000 of a home's market value) by the standard local property tax rate, rather than an adjusted rate. This change applies to tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and directly affects disabled veterans qualifying for this property tax exemption. The policy update simplifies the calculation method without altering the $175,000 property value threshold.
SB 681 would increase property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the taxable value threshold from $175,000 to $250,000. This change directly affects veterans with disabilities who own homes, allowing them to receive tax reimbursement on a larger portion of their home's value. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-5-704 to adjust this threshold, meaning more of a home's value would be exempt from property taxes under the relief program. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.
SB 473, the VALOR Act, would exempt Tennessee veterans with 100% service-connected disability (verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying certain fees and taxes. It removes the $10 fee for permanent sport hunting/fishing licenses, requires state reimbursement of local property taxes on a veteran’s primary residence, and eliminates vehicle registration fees for one private passenger vehicle, RV, or truck under 3/4 ton. The exemption applies to veterans who own and use their primary residence as their main home. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if enacted.
SB 368 removes a market value cap that previously limited property tax relief for disabled veterans in Tennessee. It requires the state to fully reimburse eligible disabled veterans for all local property taxes paid each year on their primary residence, instead of capping relief at a specific property value. This directly affects disabled veterans who own and live in their primary residence and qualify for property tax relief under Tennessee law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2025.
SB 966 expands retirement benefits for Tennessee public employees by allowing them to count peacetime military service toward their retirement credits. It directly affects current and retired members of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) who served in the U.S. military after October 15, 1940, during peacetime. The bill establishes a 1:1 credit system (one day of retirement credit for each day of military service) requiring a 9% employee contribution based on earnable compensation at the time of claim or employment termination. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and modifies existing rules to include previously excluded peacetime service periods.
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.
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.
This bill creates the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act," establishing a state program to reimburse Tennessee National Guard members for certain health insurance premiums. It specifically covers premiums paid for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage by eligible members who are Tennessee National Guard members and qualify for those programs. The military department will administer the program, with the adjutant general setting application rules, and it will not reimburse premiums already covered by federal government payments. The program requires separate annual appropriations by the legislature and takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 203 creates new specialty license plates in Tennessee, including a "Historic Franklin" plate, and extends existing specialty plate programs. It directs funds from the "Historic Franklin" plate sales to provide financial support for the Chester Inn State Historic Site. The bill also authorizes new motorcycle license plates specifically for paratroopers. These changes directly affect Tennessee drivers purchasing specialty plates, historic site funding, and military personnel participating in the paratrooper plate program.
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.
