Veterans

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 780: Driver Licenses - As enacted, authorizes an honorably discharged member of the national guard to receive "veteran" designation on driver license; specifies documentation that must be provided to receive such designation. - Amends TCA Section 55-50-354.

SB 780 allows honorably discharged Tennessee National Guard members to receive a "veteran" designation on their driver's licenses. It amends Tennessee law to explicitly include National Guard veterans in the existing veteran designation program. To qualify, applicants must provide documentation such as a DD-256 discharge certificate or NGB Form 22 showing an honorable discharge. This change directly affects National Guard members who have completed service with an honorable discharge. The bill specifies the required documents but does not alter other license requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran recognition by adding National Guard members to driver license designation program with specified documentation95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 48: Veterans - As introduced, removes the market value cap used for calculating property tax relief on the primary residence for disabled veterans who are eligible for property tax relief and requires the state to fully reimburse such veterans for local property taxes paid for a given tax year on that property. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

HB 48 would change Tennessee's property tax relief for disabled veterans by removing a market value cap on the primary residence. It requires the state to fully reimburse eligible disabled veterans for all local property taxes paid on their primary home each year, instead of capping the relief at a specific property value. This applies to veterans already qualifying for property tax relief under current law. The change takes effect for tax years beginning July 1, 2025, and is funded through state general funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves property tax cap for disabled veterans, requiring full state reimbursement of local property taxes, increasing state spending on tax relief for eligible veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves market value cap and mandates full reimbursement of local property taxes for eligible disabled veterans' primary homes, expanding existing tax relief benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 765: Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, requires 10 percent of the excess proceeds from a delinquent property tax sale to be used for tax relief for homeowners who are elderly low-income, disabled, or a disabled veteran or widow of a disabled veteran. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.

HB 765 requires that 10% of excess proceeds from delinquent property tax sales in Tennessee be allocated to provide tax relief for specific homeowners. It directly affects elderly low-income residents, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, and widows of disabled veterans. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 5, by adding a new provision directing these funds to a dedicated tax relief program under "part 7" of the chapter. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 10% of excess property tax sale proceeds to tax relief for elderly low-income, disabled, and veteran groups, directly supporting fiscal relief for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 10% of excess property tax sale proceeds to fund tax relief for vulnerable homeowners (elderly low-income, disabled, veterans), preventing home loss and supporting affordable housing access.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates tax relief specifically for disabled veterans and widows of disabled veterans, directly funding veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 193: Taxes, Exemption and Credits - As introduced, exempts from the sales and use tax the purchase of a motor vehicle that is registered in this state by a qualifying member of the Tennessee national guard; applies the sales tax exemption only to the first $15,000 of the sales price and only to one vehicle sold to such individual within a five-year period. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6, Part 3.

HB 193 would exempt qualifying Tennessee National Guard members from paying state sales tax on the first $15,000 of a new vehicle purchase. The exemption applies to one vehicle per member every five years and requires proof of service and unit verification to claim. This change would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed, directly benefiting active Guard members purchasing vehicles in Tennessee. The bill modifies existing tax law to provide this limited tax break for military personnel.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted tax exemption for National Guard members, reducing state tax revenue but offering relief to military personnel per bill's intent.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts TN National Guard members from sales tax on vehicle purchases, providing direct financial benefit to veterans through tax relief per bill's specific provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives National Guard & Reserve

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 22, 2025

HJR 639: Memorials, Recognition - Master Sergeant Nicole Hanson -

HJR 639 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Master Sergeant Nicole Hanson, an aerospace science instructor for the Lebanon High School Air Force Junior ROTC program in Tennessee. It recognizes her 22-year Air Force service, her role in revitalizing the JROTC program (including winning the Air Force Junior ROTC Outstanding Instructor Award in her first year), and her personal sacrifices like a lengthy commute to continue teaching. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's appreciation for her dedication to students and community service. As a symbolic gesture with no policy or legal impact, it does not create new requirements or affect any laws. The resolution was signed into law by the Governor on April 22, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran's service and contributions to JROTC program, aligning with recognition as a support indicator for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 98: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to add certain COVID-19 treatments and anthrax vaccinations as pre-qualifying for care under the PACT Act. -

This resolution urges the U.S. Congress to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include veterans who received certain COVID-19 treatments (administered under Emergency Use Authorization before full FDA approval) and anthrax vaccinations as qualifying exposures under the PACT Act. It directly affects veterans exposed to these treatments during service, potentially expanding their access to VA healthcare and benefits previously reserved for those with toxic exposures like burn pits. The resolution also calls for Congress to investigate the military's administration of these substances, including whether they were given without proper consent or approval. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change VA policy but advocates for legislative action to address veterans' health concerns.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands VA healthcare access for veterans exposed to specific treatments/vaccinations under PACT Act, qualifying them for benefits previously reserved for toxic exposure cases.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands PACT Act coverage to include veterans exposed to specific COVID-19 treatments and anthrax vaccines, increasing VA healthcare access for more veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 828: 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.

HB 828 directs Tennessee's Health Commissioner to study how to simplify career pathways for military medics (non-commissioned officers with medical training) to become primary care providers like doctors, nurses, or physician assistants. The study will identify bureaucratic barriers in current licensing rules, determine which military training counts toward state requirements, and suggest recruitment strategies. It must be completed using existing department resources and reported to lawmakers by December 31, 2025. This bill does not change laws directly but aims to inform future policy based on the study's findings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects study to streamline military medics' pathways to become licensed primary care providers, aiming to expand healthcare workforce and improve access to services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly targets veterans (military medics) by studying career pathway simplification to become primary care providers, advancing veteran employment in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 505: 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.

SB 505 allows veterans facing criminal charges in Tennessee to request transferring their case to a veterans treatment court in a neighboring county (like Montgomery County, which has a population of 220,000-220,100 per census). It directly affects eligible veterans who qualify for veterans treatment court in the new county and must agree to waive their right to a jury trial in their original county. The transfer requires three conditions: the receiving court would have jurisdiction if the crime occurred there, the defendant signs a written waiver, and the district attorney general for the new county consents. This bill amends Tennessee law to expand access to veterans treatment courts across qualifying contiguous counties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables veterans treatment court transfers to prioritize rehabilitation over traditional prosecution, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and address underlying issues for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnables veterans facing criminal charges to access specialized treatment courts focused on rehabilitation rather than traditional prosecution, addressing underlying issues through targeted support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 812: 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.

HB 812 would allocate 1% of revenue from Tennessee's sports gaming tax to the Department of Veterans Services for veterans' services. This new funding stream would be in addition to the existing 4% allocated to mental health services, meaning sports gaming tax revenue would now support both areas. The bill amends Tennessee Code to require this specific allocation, effective July 1, 2025. The primary direct beneficiary is the Department of Veterans Services, which would receive dedicated state funds for its programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 1% of sports gaming tax revenue to fund veterans services, creating a dedicated new funding stream for public services without reducing existing allocations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates 1% of sports gaming tax revenue to Department of Veterans Services for dedicated funding of veterans' services, explicitly advancing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1108: 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.

HB 1108, known as the "Ola Mae Ransom Reintegration Act," exempts Tennessee veterans of the U.S. military (including National Guard and reserve members) from paying the $15 business license fee. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 5, 6, 7, and 67 to remove this fee requirement for qualifying veterans. It directly affects veterans seeking business licenses in Tennessee, aiming to support their transition to civilian entrepreneurship. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from business license fee, directly supporting veteran entrepreneurship and employment transition per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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