Veterans (Memorials & Recognition)

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 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

passed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SJR 860: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to rename Dogwood Lane on federal property at Mountain Home VA the"Congressman Phil Roe Boulevard." -

SJR 860 is a Tennessee Senate resolution urging U.S. Congress to rename Dogwood Lane at the Mountain Home VA medical center to "Congressman Phil Roe Boulevard." It honors former Tennessee Congressman Phil Roe, who chaired the House Committee on Veteran Affairs and championed key veterans' legislation like the Forever GI Bill and the VA Accountability Act. The resolution does not rename the road itself but formally requests Tennessee's congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation for the change, as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs requires congressional authorization for such designations. The Tennessee General Assembly passed this resolution unanimously (31-0) to recognize Roe's service to veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors Congressman Phil Roe, a veteran advocate who championed key veterans' legislation (Forever GI Bill, VA Accountability Act), recognizing his service to veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2438: 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.

HB 2438 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. military. The bill specifically recognizes these fathers' sacrifice and loss, directly affecting military fathers who have experienced the death of a child in service. It amends Tennessee Code to establish this annual observance, clarifying it is not a legal holiday. The provision focuses on symbolic recognition, aligning with existing federal and state commemorations for military families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates 'Gold Star Father's Day' to honor fathers of veterans who died in military service, directly recognizing sacrifice related to veterans' service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2305: 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.

SB 2305 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 summary of each benefit. This report will be sent to the Senate and House speakers. The bill directly affects veterans and their families by providing a clear, centralized resource on available benefits. It does not change existing benefits but mandates a formal inventory for legislative review.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires centralized report on all available veteran benefits to improve access and transparency, directly enhancing veterans' ability to utilize existing services without altering benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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signed · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2026

HJR 843: Memorials, Recognition - Dr. Rufus R. Clifford, Jr. -

This ceremonial resolution honors Dr. Rufus R. Clifford, Jr., a 90-year-old Columbia, Tennessee pediatrician and longtime Rotarian, for his 55-year medical career, military service in the U.S. Air Force, and decades of community leadership with Rotary International. It specifically recognizes his work providing pediatric care to families across Maury County and his roles as Columbia Rotary Club president (1997-1998) and Rotary District Governor (2007-2008). The resolution, adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the governor, formally commends his service but does not create any legal obligations or policy changes. It directly affects no individuals or entities beyond the honoree.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran's military service and community leadership, aligning with recognition support indicator for veterans85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2143: 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.

HB 2143 sets staffing and accreditation standards for Tennessee's local veterans service offices. It requires each office to have at least one "county veterans service officer" (CVSO, a veteran) and establishes ratios for non-veteran staff ("county veterans service representatives" or CVSRs). The bill mandates all staff must obtain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation within six months of hire, complete annual training, and pass background checks, with veterans given hiring preference. It also sets minimum salary rates, requires budget transparency, and creates state salary grants to help counties meet staffing requirements. The bill directly affects local governments operating veterans offices and their employees.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires veteran staff (CVSO), accreditation, and training to improve service quality and accessibility for veterans at local offices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SJR 876: Memorials, Recognition - 250th Celebration of the Revolutionary War Veterans buried in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding areas -

SJR 876 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Revolutionary War veterans buried within or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, including specific individuals like Henry Bohanan, William Hamby, and Martha Dandridge Washington. It encourages Tennesseans to acknowledge these veterans' contributions as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of their historical significance to the state and nation. It was introduced in 2026 and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCeremonial resolution honoring Revolutionary War veterans' historical contributions through symbolic recognition, directly aligning with topic's recognition aspect.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SJR 648: Naming and Designating - Designates Tennessee a Purple Heart State. -

This ceremonial resolution designates Tennessee as a "Purple Heart State" to honor military veterans who have received the Purple Heart medal for combat injuries or death. It specifically recognizes Purple Heart recipients who are Tennessee residents or have connections to the state. The resolution has no legal effect or funding requirements - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of statewide recognition for these veterans' sacrifices. It does not create new programs, change laws, or affect any policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCeremonial designation honors Purple Heart recipients, symbolically recognizing veterans' sacrifices per support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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