Veterans

signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 4, 2025

SJR 44: Memorials, Recognition - 1175th Transportation Company, Tennessee Army National Guard -

SJR 44 is a commemorative resolution honoring the 1175th Transportation Company, Tennessee Army National Guard, for their service during a 2023-2024 deployment to the U.S. Southwest Border. It specifically recognizes 125 soldiers who provided reconnaissance support under Federal Order RFA 2024, aiding U.S. Border Patrol operations in McAllen, Texas, while under the command of Captain Everett Miller and 1st Sergeant Cyrus Shores. The resolution expresses the Tennessee General Assembly's gratitude for their "meritorious service" and "selfless commitment" to the nation and state. As a symbolic gesture (not a law with policy changes), it has no direct effect on individuals or policies beyond formal recognition. The resolution was signed by both chambers and the Governor on March 4, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes veterans' service (125 soldiers) with gratitude, aligning with 'recognition' as a support indicator per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 646: Memorials, Recognition - Run for the Wall Week -

House Joint Resolution 646 designates May 13-24, 2025, as "Run for the Wall Week" in Tennessee. The resolution commemorates the annual Run for the Wall motorcycle event, which raises awareness about prisoners of war and missing in action personnel while honoring veterans. It specifically acknowledges the event's planned route through Tennessee, including stops in Cookeville (May 18-20) and Chattanooga (May 20-21), as part of its journey to Washington, D.C., and the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois. This ceremonial resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates 'Run for the Wall Week' to honor veterans via commemorative event, directly recognizing service and raising awareness for POW/MIA personnel as stated in bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Housing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 1384: Private Protective Services - As enacted, creates the enhanced armed guard registration that may be obtained upon completion of certain training and other requirements by an armed security guard/officer who has at least five years of full-time experience as a law enforcement officer or four years of active duty military experience in a combat arms military occupational specialty; directs the commissioner of commerce and insurance to approve an enhanced armed guard training course. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 39 and Title 62, Chapter 35.

SB 1384 creates a new "enhanced armed guard" certification for security officers with specific backgrounds, requiring at least five years as a law enforcement officer or four years in combat military service. To qualify, applicants must complete a commissioner-approved 16-hour training course covering rifle deployment scenarios, secure storage, and pass background checks and psychological evaluations. The certification allows enhanced guards to carry rifle-caliber weapons only when a legitimate threat exists, with strict storage rules during non-threat periods. This applies directly to qualified security personnel transitioning from law enforcement or military roles, not the general public.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly qualifies veterans with combat military service (4+ years) for enhanced security guard certification, creating employment pathway for veterans.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1200: Veterans Services, Dept. of - As introduced, allocates 1 percent of the revenue from sports gaming in this state to the department to be used to support veterans services in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 58; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1200 allocates 1% of revenue generated from sports gaming in Tennessee to the Department of Veterans Services starting July 1, 2025. This funding directly supports state veterans services programs, including counseling, housing assistance, and other support initiatives for veterans. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to redirect this specific portion of sports gaming revenue to the veterans department. It does not change existing allocations for other services, such as the 4% currently dedicated to mental health and substance abuse services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 1% of sports gaming revenue to fund veterans services, supporting essential programs without tax increases or defunding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates sports gaming revenue to veterans services including counseling and support initiatives, directly funding mental health and healthcare programs for veterans.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates sports gaming revenue for veterans' housing assistance, directly funding a housing program as part of veterans services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates 1% of sports gaming revenue to fund veterans services including counseling and housing assistance, directly advancing state veterans programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Housing

Track

died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 23, 2025

SB 183: Veterans - As introduced, declares certain actions by a person advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters for compensation to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce and to be subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 58, Chapter 3.

SB 183 would regulate for-profit advisors who assist veterans with benefits claims by requiring written agreements that payment is contingent only on a successful benefits increase (capped at five times the monthly increase) and banning upfront or nonrefundable fees. It mandates clear disclosures informing veterans that free services are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee’s veterans services, and that the advisor is not affiliated with those agencies. The bill also prohibits advisors from guaranteeing specific outcomes, using veterans’ personal login credentials, or processing sensitive data via international call centers without background checks for staff. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRegulates for-profit veterans' benefits advisors to prevent deceptive practices, mandates fee transparency, and directs veterans to free VA/Tennessee services, protecting veterans from exploitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 223: Medical Occupations - As introduced, requires a person who is licensed to practice a healing art; who was an officer in the commissioned medical corps of the army, the navy, the air force, or the public health service of the United States; and who was subsequently discharged, instead of honorably discharged, to register with the appropriate board licensing that profession. - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 223 requires military medical personnel who were discharged from the U.S. armed forces or public health service (other than honorably) to register with Tennessee's licensing board before practicing their profession in the state. This change affects veterans in medical fields (like doctors or nurses) who received non-honorable discharges and now seek to work in Tennessee healthcare. The bill amends licensing rules to mandate this registration step, ensuring these individuals meet state requirements before practicing. It directly impacts military medical professionals with specific discharge statuses, not all veterans or healthcare workers. The policy focuses on licensing compliance for this defined group, with no additional provisions or funding changes described.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRequires registration for veterans with non-honorable discharges to practice medicine, creating barrier to employment in healthcare field85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 651: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, revises the formula for calculating tax relief on real property owned by eligible disabled veterans so that in determining the amount of relief to such a taxpayer, the assessed value on the first $175,000 of full market value is to be multiplied by the ad valorem tax rate of the jurisdiction instead of by a rate that has been adjusted to reflect the relationship between appraised value and market value in that jurisdiction. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax relief for disabled veterans by changing calculation method to standard rate, providing direct tax reduction for eligible lower-income homeowners.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRevises property tax relief formula to apply standard tax rate instead of adjusted rate, increasing relief for disabled veterans' primary residences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 774: Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, adds a 5 percent penalty on delinquent property taxes with the penalty to be used to provide tax relief for the homeowners who are elderly low-income, disabled, or a disabled veteran or widow of a disabled veteran. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.

SB 774 adds a 5% penalty on past-due property taxes in Tennessee, with the penalty revenue specifically dedicated to property tax relief for elderly low-income homeowners, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, or the widows of disabled veterans. The penalty applies only to the base tax amount (not interest or other fees) and must be used to reduce taxes for the qualifying groups. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 5. The bill redirects existing penalty funds to targeted relief rather than creating new taxes or benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 5% delinquent tax penalty revenue to provide property tax relief for elderly low-income, disabled, and veteran groups, advancing fiscal support for vulnerable residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax relief for elderly low-income, disabled, and veteran homeowners, directly supporting housing affordability for vulnerable groups through dedicated property tax reduction.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes disabled veterans and widows of disabled veterans as direct beneficiaries of property tax relief funding, advancing veteran financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 362: Veterans - As enacted, enacts the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act." - Amends TCA Title 47 and Title 58.

SB 362, the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act," regulates third-party advisors helping veterans navigate benefit claims. It prohibits charging fees for referrals, bans upfront or nonrefundable fees, and requires written agreements specifying that compensation depends solely on increased benefits (capped at five times the monthly increase). Advisors must disclose that free government services are available and provide clear warnings against guaranteed outcomes. The law also mandates strict data privacy protections, banning international data centers, requiring background checks for staff handling sensitive information, and prohibiting access to veterans' login credentials. These provisions directly affect veterans seeking benefits and third-party advisors, while exempting VA-accredited representatives.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits exploitative fees for veteran benefit advisors, ensures transparency, and protects veterans from financial harm during claims process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits