Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 20, 2026

HJR 727: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to bring home the remains of the USS Intrepid sailors entombed in Libya. -

HJR 727 is a memorial resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass legislation for the repatriation of thirteen USS Intrepid sailors' remains. The sailors died in 1804 during the Barbary War, and their burial sites in Libya (five in Tripoli's Protestant Cemetery and eight near Tripoli Castle) have faced desecration over centuries. The resolution requests Congress enact measures to exhume the remains, identify them if possible, and reinter them with military honors in a U.S. veterans cemetery or Arlington National Cemetery. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally asks Congress to act.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges repatriation of fallen sailors' remains for burial in U.S. veterans cemetery, honoring service through proper recognition and military honors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1972: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Veteran Protection and Due Process Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38 and Title 58.

SB 1972 requires Tennessee law enforcement to verify veteran status before assisting federal immigration actions. It prohibits state cooperation unless federal authorities certify the person isn't a veteran or the VA has confirmed their status. Agencies must screen for military service records, delay transfers until verification, and provide veterans access to legal counsel. The law directly affects veterans facing immigration enforcement and state/local police handling such cases.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires vet status verification before immigration action, delays transfers until confirmation, provides legal counsel access - protects veterans from wrongful treatment in immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1677: Licenses - As enacted, enacts the "Military Families Licensing Recognition Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 58; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1677, the "Military Families Licensing Recognition Act," streamlines occupational licensing for military-connected individuals in Tennessee. It allows active or retired military members, spouses, and dependents to obtain a Tennessee license in their occupation if they hold a current license from another state or the military with similar scope, meet education/experience requirements, and have no disqualifying records. Licensing boards must issue licenses within 10 business days after applicants verify their qualifications under penalty of perjury. The bill does not override state licensing laws, make licenses valid in other states, or affect court-regulated professions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransStreamlines licensing for veterans/spouses, removing barriers to employment by recognizing prior credentials and expediting license issuance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families Tags Licensing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2082: Appropriations - As introduced, makes appropriations for the purpose of defraying the expenses of certain legislative enactments passed during the 2026 session of the 114th General Assembly; earmarks sufficient state funds for the purpose of funding any bill naming a highway or bridge in honor of a service member killed in action. -

SB 2082 allocates state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal years to cover general government operations and specifically earmarks transportation funds for naming highways or bridges in honor of service members killed in action. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to set aside sufficient funds to cover costs for any legislation naming a highway or bridge as a memorial, as defined in Tennessee law (TCA §54-1-133). It directly affects state budgeting for transportation projects and legislative honors, ensuring funding is reserved for these memorial designations. The key provision (Section 1) guarantees dedicated state funds for these honors without requiring additional legislative appropriations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEarmarks state funds for transportation infrastructure (highway/bridge naming) per TCA §54-1-133, directly funding transportation projects.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEarmarks state funds for naming highways/bridges in honor of service members killed in action, directly recognizing veterans' service per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1801: Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - As introduced, exempts from the sales and use tax the sale of a motor vehicle to an active-duty military service member who is a resident of this state and stationed out-of-state. - Amends TCA Section 67-6-303.

HB 1801 exempts active-duty Tennessee military service members stationed out-of-state from paying Tennessee's sales and use tax on vehicle purchases. It directly affects Tennessee residents serving in the military who are temporarily stationed outside the state. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 67-6-303 to add a specific tax exemption for these service members. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to new vehicle sales to qualifying military personnel.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts military from sales tax, providing tax relief per bill's intent and directly affecting tax policy.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts active-duty military residents from sales tax on vehicle purchases, providing direct financial benefit to service members stationed out-of-state.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1526: Naming and Designating - As enacted, renames the Army National Guard Armory located on U.S. Highway 321 in Maryville the "CSM William O. Gregory National Guard Armory." - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 1.

HB 1526 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 Gregory. The bill commemorates his 41 years of service in the Tennessee Army National Guard, including roles as First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major, before his retirement in 1992. It requires the Department of Military to install appropriate signage designating the armory with this new name. This is a commemorative act with no policy changes or direct impact on citizens or programs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via naming armory after Command Sergeant Major William Gregory, aligning with recognition indicators for support stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1692: Licenses - As enacted, enacts the "Military Families Licensing Recognition Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 58; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1692, the "Military Families Licensing Recognition Act," allows Tennessee to issue occupational licenses to active or retired military members and their spouses/dependents who hold valid licenses in another state or the military. It requires applicants to confirm they held a license in good standing for at least one year, meet education/experience standards, and have no disqualifying criminal records or pending complaints. Licensing boards must issue licenses within 10 business days after verifying the applicant’s claims under penalty of perjury. The law does not override state regulations or allow out-of-state work under interstate compacts, and licenses are valid only within Tennessee.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnables Tennessee to recognize military licenses, reducing employment barriers for veterans and spouses through streamlined licensing, directly supporting veteran workforce integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families Tags Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1989: Military - As enacted, recognizes the United States space force as a distinct branch of the United States armed forces by adding the space force to definitions and provisions related to the military. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 6; Title 8; Title 36; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 55; Title 58; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 66.

HB 1989 updates Tennessee's legal references to recognize the U.S. Space Force as a distinct military branch. It amends 15 Tennessee Code sections to add "space force" alongside existing branches (army, navy, air force, etc.) in definitions covering military personnel, benefits, and service-related provisions. This change directly affects how Tennessee law references military service members, including their spouses, dependents, and eligibility for state programs like vehicle registration reciprocity. The bill makes no new policy changes but aligns state statutes with the federal establishment of the Space Force.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill updates Tennessee law to include Space Force in military definitions, ensuring eligibility for state benefits like vehicle registration for Space Force members and families, extending existing veteran program coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2051: Scholarships and Financial Aid - As introduced, adds Western Governors University as an educational institution at which an active member of a federally recognized unit of the Tennessee national guard may receive tuition reimbursement through the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act of 2017. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4.

SB 2051 adds Western Governors University (WGU) to the list of eligible institutions for tuition reimbursement under Tennessee's STRONG Act, which supports active members of the Tennessee National Guard. The bill amends the law to include WGU in the definition of "educational institution" for competency-based programs meeting specific criteria, such as regional accreditation, a Tennessee physical presence, and a state partnership. This directly affects National Guard members who wish to attend WGU and qualify for tuition reimbursement under the STRONG program. The bill does not change existing eligibility rules, credit limits, or academic requirements for the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by adding WGU to STRONG Act tuition reimbursement for National Guard members, directly increasing financial aid options for higher education.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition reimbursement eligibility under STRONG Act for National Guard members (veterans), directly strengthening education benefits through additional institution inclusion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1562: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Tennessee state veterans' homes board to June 30, 2028; requires the board to report back to the government operations committee by December 31, 2026, to update the committee on its progress in addressing the findings and observations set forth in the December 2025 performance audit report. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 58, Chapter 7.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends Tennessee Veterans' Homes Board until 2029 with mandatory progress reporting on audit findings, maintaining oversight of veterans' services and management.95% confidence