Veterans

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2550: 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.

HB 2550, the "Hunting for Heroes Act," creates a Tennessee National Guard Sportsman License that provides free hunting and fishing licenses to active Tennessee National Guard members in good standing. It requires applicants to submit a valid U.S. military ID and verification of their National Guard membership from the Adjutant General's office. The license grants the same benefits as a standard resident sportsman license, with costs covered by the state general fund (not wildlife resources funds). This bill directly affects current Tennessee National Guard members, eliminating their license fees while maintaining standard hunting/fishing regulations. The license will be available starting July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds free licenses via state general fund, increasing budget allocation for National Guard benefits without tax impact.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free hunting/fishing licenses to TN National Guard members, a direct benefit supporting veteran recognition and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget National Guard & Reserve

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

died · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2103: Scholarships and Financial Aid - As introduced, adds Western Governors University as an educational institution at which an active member of a federally recognized unit of the Tennessee national guard may receive tuition reimbursement through the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act of 2017. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4.

HB 2103 amends Tennessee's STRONG Act to explicitly include Western Governors University (WGU) as an eligible institution for tuition reimbursement. This change directly affects active Tennessee National Guard members who use the STRONG Act's benefits, allowing them to receive tuition support at WGU for their first bachelor's or master's degree. The bill updates the legal definition of "educational institution" to add WGU under the existing competency-based model criteria (requiring a Tennessee physical presence, regional accreditation, and state-based oversight). It does not alter the program's academic requirements, credit limits, or grade point averages but expands access to WGU for eligible service members. The amendment specifically references WGU in the code, making it the first non-traditional institution added under this definition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition reimbursement access for National Guard members at WGU, increasing higher education opportunities under STRONG Act's financial aid framework.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands STRONG Act tuition benefits to include WGU, directly advancing educational support for Tennessee National Guard veterans under existing veteran-focused program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

Track

died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 1634: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, removes the requirement for a petitioner for restoration of citizenship or an applicant for a certificate of employability to pay the costs of the proceedings. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

SB 1634 removes court fees for two specific legal processes in Tennessee: restoring citizenship (for individuals like veterans who lost rights) and obtaining a certificate of employability (to help people with criminal records secure jobs). It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-29-103(f) and 40-29-107(c) to state that "there is no cost to a petitioner" for these proceedings. The bill directly affects applicants seeking these legal remedies by eliminating associated court costs. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and is not a procedural resolution but a policy change removing financial barriers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves court fees for veterans seeking citizenship restoration and employability certificates, directly aiding veteran employment and rights restoration per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track