HB 1789 requires Tennessee public colleges and universities to classify military spouses and dependents of active-duty service members or veterans as in-state students for tuition purposes, regardless of whether they’ve lived in Tennessee for one year. This applies if the spouse or dependent resides in Tennessee while enrolled, maintains continuous enrollment, and meets citizenship or residency requirements. The bill amends state law to make this mandatory (replacing "may" with "shall") and expands eligibility to include military dependents living outside Tennessee. It takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year and applies to all public higher education institutions in the state.
HB 1914 amends Tennessee law to allow state veterans' homes to provide services beyond skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans, as permitted by state or federal law. This directly affects veterans who may need non-skilled care services, such as community support or transitional housing, at state facilities. The bill updates Section 58-7-101(e) to explicitly authorize these additional services while maintaining existing skilled nursing offerings. It also makes minor administrative updates to related sections regarding facility operations and contracts. The changes aim to expand care options for veterans without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms.
HB 1751 allows Tennessee residents holding memorial or military license plates to submit annual verification proof electronically instead of through traditional methods like mail or in-person visits. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 4, to authorize the Department of Revenue to accept digital submissions for confirming continued eligibility for these special plates. This change directly affects veterans, military families, and memorial plate holders who must renew their plate status yearly. The policy simplifies the verification process without altering eligibility requirements or plate benefits.
HB 1908 allocates state funds for Tennessee's 2025-2026 budget, covering all state government operations including legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It specifically sets aside money from the Department of Transportation to fund highway or bridge memorials honoring service members killed in action, as designated by future legislation (per TN Code §54-1-133). The bill also acknowledges that memorial designations may result in lost revenue that would have been collected otherwise. This ensures funding exists when such memorials are approved, without altering existing rules for naming highways or bridges.
HB 1961, the "Tennessee Veteran Protection and Due Process Act," prohibits Tennessee state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities in detaining or transferring veterans without specific safeguards. It requires police to screen individuals for military service and verify veteran status using documents like a DD-214 before honoring federal immigration requests. The law mandates that federal authorities must provide written certification confirming non-veteran status or VA verification, and transfers require a judicial warrant and proof that veterans' immigration options were considered. Veterans in state custody must also be informed of their right to military-experienced legal counsel and maintain access to benefits during proceedings.
HB 1687 increases property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the reimbursement threshold from $175,000 to $200,000 of a home's full market value. This change directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who receive property tax relief under Tennessee law, allowing them to benefit from higher reimbursement amounts on their primary residences. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-5-704(a) to update the specified value in all relevant subsections. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2026.
SB 1798 increases property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the reimbursement threshold from $175,000 to $200,000 of a home's full market value. This change directly affects eligible disabled veterans who qualify for property tax relief under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-5-704(a) to adjust the covered value amount for reimbursement calculations. The updated reimbursement rate takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2026. The change expands the property value covered for tax relief without altering eligibility requirements.
HB 1635 clarifies eligibility for burial in Tennessee's state veterans' cemeteries, expanding access to include National Guard and reserve component members (such as Army or Air National Guard) who completed their service obligations, along with their spouses and children. The bill specifies required documentation for verification, including military discharge forms like DD-214 and NGB forms, and ensures the state accepts federal documentation standards. It also mandates that the state waive burial fees for eligible veterans, their spouses, and minor or dependent children. The changes aim to align Tennessee's policies with federal criteria while ensuring no disruption to federal funding for veterans' cemeteries.
HB 1693 would have allowed veterans to use a DD-214 (a military discharge certificate) as proof of U.S. citizenship when applying for public benefits like food assistance or housing aid in Tennessee. It amended state law to add the DD-214 to the list of acceptable documents for verifying citizenship eligibility. The bill was introduced on January 15, 2026, but withdrawn the same day (January 21, 2026), so it did not become law. This procedural change would have directly affected veterans seeking state or local public benefits.
SB 1632 renames the Army National Guard Armory on U.S. Highway 321 in Maryville, Tennessee, to the "William O. Gregory Army National Guard Armory" to honor Command Sergeant Major William O. Gregory's 41 years of service in the Tennessee Army National Guard. The bill requires the Tennessee Department of Military to install signs or markers designating the new name using existing resources. This is a commemorative measure with no financial or policy changes beyond the naming and signage.
