Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2026

HJR 1076: Memorials, Retirement - Major Stacey Heatherly -

This bill is a joint resolution that formally commends Major Stacey Heatherly on her retirement from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. It recognizes her service as East Bureau Major of Field Operations and acknowledges her previous work as Campbell County E-911 Coordinator and Director. The resolution highlights her professional achievements and personal contributions to the community, including her family's military service. The document serves as an official record of appreciation rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally commends a veteran's retirement and recognizes her military service, providing official appreciation and acknowledgment of veteran contributions.85% confidence

signed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2026

HJR 1066: Memorials, Retirement - H. Dean Delk, Marshall County Commissioner -

This bill is a joint resolution that formally honors H. Dean Delk on the occasion of his retirement from public service. It recognizes his 28 years as a Marshall County Commissioner and his extensive career in education, including roles as a high school and elementary school principal. The resolution also acknowledges his military service in the Tennessee Army National Guard and his community involvement through volunteer work and civic organizations. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official commendation of Delk's contributions to Tennessee.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill formally recognizes veteran's military service in Tennessee Army National Guard, honoring their contribution to public service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HJR 1145: Memorials, Recognition - American Legion Post 137, 100th anniversary -

This bill honors American Legion Post 137 of Jamestown, Tennessee, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. It designates May 2026 as "American Legion Post 137 Centennial Month" to recognize the organization's century of service to veterans, military families, and the community. The resolution acknowledges the post's founding by Sergeant Alvin C. York in 1926 and its ongoing contributions through youth programs, civic initiatives, and patriotic observances. This is a commemorative measure with no changes to laws or funding.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors American Legion Post 137's century of service to veterans and designates commemorative month recognizing their contributions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2428: Veterans - As introduced, requires local governmental entities to invite honorably discharged veterans who apply for employment or promotion to interview; requires preference be given to such veteran if the minimum qualifications and the skills, abilities, competencies, and knowledge of the veteran and any another applicant being interviewed for the position are equal; requires state and local application forms to provide the option for an applicant to declare veteran status. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51; Title 8, Chapter 30, Part 3 and Title 58, Chapter 2.

SB 2428 requires Tennessee local governments (like cities, counties, and departments) to invite honorably discharged veterans to job interviews and give them hiring preference if their qualifications match another candidate's. It also extends interview opportunities to spouses of veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability or died in military service. The bill mandates that all local government job applications include an option for applicants to declare veteran status. These provisions apply to all hiring for appointments or promotions within local government entities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires local governments to give veterans hiring preference if qualifications match, extending to spouses of disabled/deceased veterans. Directly supports veteran employment access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2469: Veterans Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to submit a report on the total number of state and federal benefits, and a synopsis of each benefit, available to a veteran and the veteran's surviving spouse to the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before January 1, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 52; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 2469 requires Tennessee's Department of Veterans Services to create and submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2027. The report must list all state and federal benefits available to veterans and their surviving spouses, including a brief description of each benefit. This report will be delivered to the speakers of the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives. The bill does not change existing benefits but mandates this centralized information for legislative review.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates comprehensive report of existing benefits to improve legislative oversight and accessibility, facilitating future support without altering current benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2397: Veterans - As introduced, requires local governmental entities to invite honorably discharged veterans who apply for employment or promotion to interview; requires preference be given to such veteran if the minimum qualifications and the skills, abilities, competencies, and knowledge of the veteran and any another applicant being interviewed for the position are equal; requires state and local application forms to provide the option for an applicant to declare veteran status. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51; Title 8, Chapter 30, Part 3 and Title 58, Chapter 2.

HB 2397 requires Tennessee local governments (such as cities, counties, and agencies) to invite honorably discharged veterans to interview for public sector jobs or promotions when they apply. If a veteran meets the minimum job requirements and their skills are equal to another candidate, they must be given hiring preference. The bill also mandates that all public job applications include an option for applicants to declare veteran status. Additionally, it extends certain preferences to spouses of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability or those who died in military service, while requiring local entities to document reasons for not selecting a veteran.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates hiring preference for veterans meeting qualifications in public sector jobs, requires interview invitations for veterans, and adds veteran status declaration on applications, directly advancing veteran employment access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 2275: Holidays and Days of Special Observance - As enacted, designates November 9 of each year as "Gold Star Father's Day," to honor and recognize fathers who have lost children in service to the United States as members of the United States armed forces. - Amends TCA Title 15, Chapter 2.

SB 2275 designates November 9 each year as "Gold Star Father's Day" in Tennessee to honor fathers who lost children while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill specifically recognizes these fathers' sacrifice without creating new legal benefits or changing existing laws, as it explicitly states this observance is "not a legal holiday." It aligns with similar designations adopted by Georgia and Mississippi, and follows the 2015 Gold Star Father's Act that ensured benefit parity for fathers. The bill directly affects fathers of fallen military members by adding a ceremonial day of recognition to Tennessee's calendar.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Gold Star Father's Day to honor fathers of fallen veterans, aligning with veteran recognition indicators without new benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 2483: Veterans Services, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to conduct a study that includes an evaluation of county veterans service office resources; the identification of underserved areas; operational capacity; local outreach efforts, community outreach events, partnerships, and other entities providing, or sources of, assistance for veterans at the local level; and the identification of potential funding mechanisms to support local veterans service offices; requires the department to compile a report of the study by December 31, 2026. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 25 and Title 58, Chapter 3.

SB 2483 establishes staffing requirements for Tennessee's local veterans service offices. It creates two new roles: "county veterans service officers" (CVSOs, for veterans) and "county veterans service representatives" (CVSRs, for non-veterans), requiring each office to have at least one CVSO. The bill mandates that all CVSOs and CVSRs must obtain federal accreditation within six months of appointment, with removal if unaccredited, and sets minimum salary rates, hiring preferences for veterans (especially combat veterans), and state funding for training and staffing. These changes directly affect local governments operating veterans offices and their staff, ensuring standardized support for veterans accessing benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates dedicated veteran service roles (CVSOs), mandates accreditation, and prioritizes veteran hiring preferences to strengthen local veterans' office staffing and service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2238: Game and Fish Laws - As enacted, enacts the "Hunting for Heroes Act"; creates the Tennessee national guard sportsman license. - Amends TCA Title 70, Chapter 2.

SB 2238, known as the "Hunting for Heroes Act," creates a free Tennessee National Guard sportsman license for eligible members. This license allows Tennessee National Guard members in good standing to hunt and fish without cost, providing the same benefits as a standard resident sportsman license. To qualify, applicants must provide a valid U.S. military ID and Tennessee National Guard membership verification from the adjutant general. The state will cover all license costs using general funds, not wildlife resources money, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates free hunting/fishing license for TN National Guard members, funded by state, recognizing military service as a veteran benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SJR 877: Memorials, Recognition - Women Veterans Appreciation Day -

This resolution designates June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day" in Tennessee. It honors the service of Tennessee's over 40,000 women veterans, recognizing their historical and ongoing contributions from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. The resolution commemorates milestones like the 1948 Women Armed Services Integration Act and highlights a planned Women Veterans Appreciation Week (June 7-13, 2026). It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges women veterans' service through state recognition. The resolution was introduced and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in early 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFormally recognizes women veterans' service and contributions through designated appreciation day, aligning with recognition indicator for support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition