Veterans

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1477: Special License Plates - As enacted, makes various revisions to law relative to license plates, including, but not limited to, creating new specialty earmarked license plates and cultural license plates, granting extensions to certain license plates, and making other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4.

SB 1477 (Tennessee) allows holders of memorial and military license plates to submit verification documents electronically instead of physically. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-4-251(b) to authorize the Department of Revenue to accept electronic proof of eligibility for annual plate verification. It directly affects current holders of these special plates who must renew their eligibility each year. The change simplifies the renewal process by enabling digital submissions, reducing the need for in-person or mailed documentation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSimplifies renewal process for veterans' special license plates, reducing administrative burden while maintaining eligibility recognition for military service.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

died · Tennessee · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 97: State Employees - As introduced, defines "working day" for purposes of determining the military leave and compensation available to a state employee who is a member of any reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who is called to active military service. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 33.

HB 97 defined "working day" for Tennessee state employees who are reservists called to active military duty, specifying it as the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work in a 24-hour period. This change would directly affect state employees serving in reserve components of the U.S. military by clarifying how their military leave and compensation are calculated. The bill amended Tennessee Code § 8-33-101 to establish this definition, aiming to standardize the process for determining leave eligibility. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn on January 27, 2025, and is no longer active.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies military leave compensation for reservist state employees, standardizing benefits and protecting their employment rights under labor standards.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies military leave/pay for reservist state employees, ensuring consistent compensation during active duty - directly supports veteran employment protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 922: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the commissioner to conduct a study on creating new or streamlining existing pathways to careers as primary care providers in this state for individuals who have medical training as noncommissioned officers in the armed forces of the United States; requires the commissioner to conduct the study using existing department resources; requires the commissioner to deliver findings and recommendations from the study to the chief clerk of the senate, chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 922 requires Tennessee's Health Commissioner to study ways to help veterans with military medical training (like medics or corpsmen) become primary care providers in Tennessee, such as doctors, nurses, or physician assistants. The study must identify barriers in current laws, find where military training counts toward licensure, and suggest new or streamlined career pathways. It directs the commissioner to use existing department resources and report findings and recommendations to lawmakers by December 31, 2025. This bill does not change laws immediately but aims to create future options for veteran healthcare workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudies pathways for veterans to become primary care providers, aiming to expand healthcare workforce and improve access to services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill studies pathways for veterans with military medical training to become primary care providers, directly supporting veteran employment in healthcare careers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Primary Care Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HJR 513: Memorials, Death - Alfred Bertram Cate, Jr. -

This resolution honors the memory of Alfred Bertram Cate, Jr., a Tennessee educator, coach, and Vietnam War veteran who taught history and coached at Memphis Central High School for 36 years. It commemorates his military service (including a Bronze Star), his coaching achievements (152 student-athletes receiving college scholarships), and his community contributions. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it is a formal tribute to his legacy, expressing condolences to his family and recognizing his impact on students and the community. As a memorial resolution, it has no binding effect on government operations or citizens.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors a Vietnam veteran's military service and legacy via memorial resolution, aligning with recognition as a supportive stance per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 52: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the "Veterans Assistance for Livelihood, Opportunity, and Relief (VALOR) Act," which exempts disabled veterans who have 100 percent permanent and total disability from a service-connected cause from the payment of certain taxes and fees. - Amends TCA Section 5-8-102; Title 55, Chapter 4; Title 67 and Title 70, Chapter 2.

HB 52, the VALOR Act, exempts Tennessee veterans with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability from specific taxes and fees. It removes the $10 fee for permanent hunting/fishing licenses, reimburses property taxes on their primary home, and waives registration fees for one vehicle (passenger car, RV, or half/¾-ton truck). Eligibility requires verification of disability status through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly benefiting qualifying veterans who own homes or vehicles in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for disabled veterans (waiving fees/taxes), directly reducing their tax burden. This aligns with 'support' indicators of tax relief for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts 100% disabled veterans from taxes/fees on licenses, property, and vehicle registration, directly expanding financial benefits per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1152: Licenses - As introduced, enacts the "Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act," which exempts veterans of the United States military, including the national guard and reserves, from payment of the $15 fee for a business license. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 67.

SB 1152, the "Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act," exempts Tennessee veterans of the U.S. military (including National Guard and reserves) from paying the $15 fee required for a business license. It directly affects veterans seeking to start or operate businesses in Tennessee, removing a financial barrier to entrepreneurship. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly state that veterans cannot be charged this fee for business licenses, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to support veterans' economic reintegration by reducing costs associated with business licensing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts veterans from a $15 business license fee, providing tax relief for a specific group under state licensing fees.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from $15 business license fee, removing financial barrier to entrepreneurship and directly supporting veteran employment reintegration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment Tags Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 203: Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration - As enacted, creates new specialty earmarked license plates; extends certain specialty earmarked license plates; authorizes the funds generated from the issuance of the Historic Franklin new specialty earmarked license plate to also be used to provide financial support for the Chester Inn State Historic Site; authorizes the issuance of motorcycle plates for paratroopers. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes motorcycle plates for paratroopers, a form of military service recognition aligning with veteran recognition under state-level policies.90% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SJR 372: Memorials, Retirement - Tim Vowell -

SJR 372 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Tim Vowell upon his retirement as an Air Force JROTC instructor at Clinton High School. It recognizes his nearly decade-long service to the JROTC program, his development of leadership-focused curriculum impacting over 1,200 cadets, and his 20+ years of military service with the Tennessee Air National Guard. The resolution also highlights his educational background, leadership roles, and community contributions. As a purely commemorative measure, it has no policy impact or binding effect.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Tim Vowell's 20+ years of military service (TN Air National Guard), directly supporting veterans' recognition as specified in the topic.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HJR 641: Memorials, Recognition - Cadet Kenneth Darden, CSM Darol Walker Award, Austin Peay State University -

HJR 641 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to formally congratulate Cadet Kenneth Darden, an Army ROTC student at Austin Peay State University (APSU), on winning the CSM Darol Walker Award. The resolution recognizes his military service (including 11 years of active duty, three deployments to Iraq, and multiple medals), academic excellence (3.7 GPA in leadership science), and leadership roles (captain of APSU's Ranger Challenge team, Homecoming King). As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but publicly honors his achievements as a senior ROTC cadet who excels academically, militarily, and in extracurricular activities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes veteran service (11 years active duty, deployments, medals) and academic leadership, directly aligning with recognition-based support indicators for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 299: Education, Higher - As introduced, extends to the dependent children and spouses of veterans who sustained a permanent and total service-connected disability during a qualifying period of armed conflict the same waiver of all tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education being provided to the dependent children and spouses of veterans who were killed, died due to injuries received, or reported as prisoners of war or missing in action during a qualifying period of armed conflict. - Amends TCA Title 49.

HB 299 expands Tennessee's tuition waiver program for dependents of veterans to include children and spouses of veterans who sustained a permanent 100% service-connected disability during military service. It directly affects dependent children under 23 and spouses of qualifying veterans who received U.S. government certification of their disability. Key provisions require proof of the disability determination, limit spouse eligibility to 10 years from the disability certification date, and apply the waiver to all state public universities starting July 2025. The bill modifies existing education code to extend this benefit to a new group of veterans' families, matching the existing waiver for dependents of veterans who died or were missing in action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition waiver access for veterans' dependents at public colleges, increasing educational affordability and access for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition waiver benefits to dependents of veterans with permanent service-connected disabilities, directly advancing educational support for veterans' families per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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