Veterans

signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SJR 147: Memorials, Recognition - Troop B, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, first place, 2024 Sullivan Cup Competition -

SJR 147 is a commemorative resolution honoring Troop B, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Tennessee Army National Guard) for winning first place in the 2024 Sullivan Cup Competition. The resolution specifically commends the four soldiers - Staff Sergeant David Riddick, Sergeant Joshua Owen, Specialist Noah Eddings, and Specialist Seth Carter - who led their team to victory as the only National Guard unit in the competition. They defeated ten teams, including six active-duty Army units and four allied teams, in the U.S. Army's annual M1 Abrams tank crew competition. The resolution was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor on March 12, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes veterans' service by honoring a National Guard unit's competition victory, aligning with topic's 'recognition' policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 1404: Appropriations - As introduced, makes appropriations for the purpose of defraying the expenses of certain legislative enactments passed during the 2025 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. -

HB 1404 sets aside state funds from the Department of Transportation to cover costs for highway or bridge memorials honoring service members killed in action, as designated by bills passed during Tennessee's 2025 legislative session. It specifically allocates money for any bill or resolution naming an interstate, U.S. highway, or state highway as a memorial route or designating a bridge on those routes for fallen service members, per existing law (TCA §54-1-133). The bill also acknowledges potential revenue loss from future bills that reduce state revenue without increasing spending. It applies to the 2024-2025 fiscal years and takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for highway/bridge memorials honoring fallen service members, directly addressing appropriations (a core budget function) by earmarking dedicated funding for a designated purpose.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates DOT funds for highway/bridge memorials honoring service members, directly funding transportation infrastructure projects per TCA §54-1-133.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds memorials for fallen service members, directly recognizing veteran sacrifice per TCA §54-1-133, aligning with recognition indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Memorials & Recognition

Track

signed · Tennessee · House Feb 27, 2026

HJR 177: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges the naming of the Blue Springs Boat Ramp in Speedwell in honor of Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater. -

HJR 177 is a non-binding resolution urging the naming of the Blue Springs Boat Ramp in Speedwell, Tennessee, in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Terry William Prater. It directly affects the location of the boat ramp by proposing a commemorative name change to honor Prater, a soldier who died in Iraq in 2007 and received military awards for heroism. The resolution cites Prater's service, his sacrifice during his second deployment, and his personal connection to fishing at the ramp, where he spent time with his family. This is a symbolic gesture with no legal or financial impact, as it only requests the name change without creating new laws or obligations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran's service through naming public facility, aligning with recognition indicator in topic description95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 249: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, requires that veterans who are Tennessee residents be offered the same discounts at state parks at the same rates and with the same frequency as discounts offered to state employees at state parks. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 3 and Title 58.

SB 249 requires Tennessee state parks to offer resident veterans the same discounts for activities, retail purchases, camping, and lodging as those provided to state employees. It also establishes a separate 50% year-round discount for camping and overnight cabin lodging for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, contingent on providing documentation of disability and Tennessee residency. Veterans must present proof of veteran status and residency to qualify for the standard discounts, and additional documentation is required for the 50% disability discount. The bill amends Tennessee law and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires state parks to offer veterans same discounts as employees and 50% disability discount, expanding access to benefits and recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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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

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 1350: Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - As enacted, authorizes issuance of a free distinguishing placard for eligible disabled veterans to be used in lieu of a distinguishing license plate for parking purposes; authorizes issuance of a distinguishing placard upon payment of the applicable fee for eligible disabled veterans who have been issued a free distinguishing license plate for parking purposes. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 21 and Title 55, Chapter 4.

HB 1350 allows eligible disabled veterans in Tennessee to choose between a free distinguishing placard or a free license plate for parking, instead of requiring both. Veterans who qualify for a free license plate under existing law (TCA § 55-4-256) may now apply for a free placard to use instead. Veterans who already have a free license plate can also obtain a placard by paying the standard passenger vehicle fee ($20 as of current TCA § 55-4-111). This bill amends Tennessee Code §§ 55-21-106 and 55-4-256 to implement these options, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands parking benefit choice for disabled veterans, strengthening access to existing service without restrictions or fees for eligible veterans.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 15, 2025

SB 12: Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, changes the reimbursement amount for property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners; increases the reimbursement amount from payment on the first $175,000 of the full market value of the home to payment on the first $200,000 of the full market value. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

SB 12 increases property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners in Tennessee by raising the value threshold for reimbursement. The bill amends Tennessee law to change the reimbursement amount from covering the first $175,000 of a home's market value to the first $200,000. This directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who receive property tax relief under existing programs. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, for tax years beginning on or after that date. The amendment applies to all relevant sections of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax relief for disabled veterans by raising reimbursement threshold from $175k to $200k, providing greater tax relief for qualifying homeowners.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax relief for disabled veterans by raising reimbursement threshold from $175k to $200k, directly expanding financial benefits for qualifying veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

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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

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 1: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to enact legislation to expand and improve efforts to treat traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. -

This is a resolution (not a binding bill), formally urging the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that would expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It specifically references the Veterans' National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act (H.R. 3649), which would fund pilot programs for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside counseling. The resolution does not create new policy but requests Congress adopt such legislation to improve veteran care. It directly affects veterans with TBI or PTSD by advocating for broader treatment options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges Congress to fund veterans' TBI/PTSD treatment access via pilot programs (H.R. 3649), explicitly expanding healthcare services for covered conditions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges Congress to expand TBI/PTSD treatments and fund pilot programs via referenced bill (H.R. 3649), directly advancing veterans' healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health