Veterans

signed · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2026

HJR 792: Memorials, Death - General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr. -

This resolution commemorates General Tom P. "Tommy" Thompson, Jr.'s life and service to Tennessee, specifically honoring his decades of public service as a District Attorney General, military legal officer, and community leader in Hartsville. It expresses the General Assembly's condolences to his family and recognizes his contributions to criminal justice, rural electrification through Tri-County Electric, and his deep ties to Hartsville and surrounding communities. The resolution has passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor's signature.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors military legal officer's service via memorial resolution, aligning with veterans' recognition under topic description90% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SJR 590: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee, to allow for bingo games conducted by 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations to meet a charitable, nonprofit, or community service purpose. -

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to permit bingo games conducted by charitable organizations (501(c)(3)) and veterans' groups (501(c)(19)) for charitable, nonprofit, or community service purposes. The amendment would allow these tax-exempt organizations to use bingo as a fundraising tool without violating current constitutional restrictions. It requires that such bingo games be implemented uniformly statewide through legislative rules established by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExplicitly permits 501(c)(19) veterans' groups to use bingo for fundraising, directly enabling their charitable operations and service support.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2094: Education, Higher - As introduced, requires each public institution of higher education to classify a student who is the spouse of a service member who has not resided in this state for at least one year as an in-state student for tuition purposes if the service member's spouse resides in this state while enrolled in the institution; adds dependants of active-duty military personnel or veterans residing outside of this state to those who are eligible to receive the in-state tuition rate at a public institution of higher education; requires, instead of allows, the governing board of each such institution to provide the in-state tuition rate to military-affiliated individuals. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 2094 changes tuition rules at Tennessee public colleges and universities to better support military-connected students. It requires schools to classify as "in-state" for tuition purposes the spouse of a service member who resides in Tennessee while enrolled, even if the service member hasn’t lived in Tennessee for a year. The bill also expands eligibility to include dependents of active-duty military personnel or veterans living outside Tennessee. Public institutions must now *provide* in-state tuition to these groups (replacing a previous "may" option), and the law defines "military-affiliated" to cover spouses, dependents, and active-duty personnel. The changes take effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands in-state tuition access for military spouses/dependents, reducing financial barriers to higher education access for military-connected students.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands in-state tuition to dependents of veterans, directly supporting veterans' families with reduced education costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SR 275: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to rename Dogwood Lane on federal property at Mountain Home VA the "Congressman Phil Roe Boulevard." -

This Senate Resolution (SR 275) urges Congress to rename Dogwood Lane at the Mountain Home VA medical facility to "Congressman Phil Roe Boulevard." It honors Rep. Phil Roe (Tennessee's 1st District, 2009-2021) for his service as Chair and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veteran Affairs and his legislative work on key veteran benefits laws like the Mission Act and Forever GI Bill. The resolution requests Tennessee's congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation for the renaming, as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs requires congressional approval to name roads on federal property. This is a commemorative resolution, not a law that changes policy.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors Rep. Phil Roe for his legislative work on veteran benefits laws (Mission Act, Forever GI Bill) and service on Veteran Affairs Committee, recognizing his advocacy for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1888: Cemeteries - As enacted, clarifies eligibility and required documentation for interment in state veterans' cemeteries for military service members and veterans, including certain members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, the army national guard, or the air national guard, and spouses and children of such service members and veterans. - Amends TCA Title 46, Chapter 6.

SB 1888 clarifies eligibility for burial in Tennessee's state veterans' cemeteries for military service members, veterans (including National Guard and reserve component members), and their spouses and children. It specifies that eligible veterans must have been honorably discharged after completing their service obligation, and requires specific documentation like NGB Forms, DD Forms, or discharge orders to verify service. The bill prohibits fees for burial for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependent children as defined by federal law. It ensures compliance with federal regulations to protect state veterans' cemetery funding.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies eligibility for burial in state veterans' cemeteries, prohibits burial fees, and specifies required documentation to ensure access to benefits for veterans and families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1613: Veterans - As enacted, authorizes state veterans' homes to provide services other than skilled nursing services to honorably discharged veterans. - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 7.

SB 1613 amends Tennessee law to allow state veterans' homes to provide services beyond skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans, directly affecting veterans seeking non-nursing support. The key provision (added to § 58-7-101(e)) explicitly permits homes to offer "other services for the support and care" of veterans, as authorized by existing state or federal law. This expands the range of care options available at veterans' homes without creating new services, only enabling previously authorized ones. The bill also makes minor technical updates to sections about home locations, contracts, and the purpose of veterans' homes.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' home services to include non-nursing support options, directly advancing care accessibility for honorably discharged veterans under existing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

signed · Tennessee · House Feb 11, 2026

HJR 721: Memorials, Retirement - Master Sergeant Rachel J. Wilson, U.S. Air Force -

HJR 721 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Master Sergeant Rachel J. Wilson upon her retirement from the U.S. Air Force. It recognizes her 20+ years of military service, including roles as a Cyber Systems Operations Craftsman with the Tennessee Air National Guard and deployments during operations in Iraq. The resolution formally commends her for distinguished service, specific career achievements, and numerous awards like the Air Force Commendation Medal. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any policies or individuals beyond this expression of gratitude.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors specific veteran's service via non-binding resolution, aligning with recognition indicator but lacking policy impact75% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

signed · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SJR 596: Memorials, Death - Harold Wayne Sellars -

SJR 596 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Harold Wayne Sellars, a Farragut resident and Vietnam War veteran who died in 2026. The resolution commemorates his military service (U.S. Air Force, 1964-1968), career as an investment advisor, community involvement (including roles with the Optimist Club and Vietnam Veterans of America), and lifelong commitment to family. It expresses condolences to his surviving wife, daughter, and grandson, and does not create new laws or policies. This memorial resolution is purely symbolic, reflecting the legislature’s recognition of Sellars’ contributions to his community.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors a Vietnam veteran's service through ceremonial resolution, recognizing military career and community involvement with Vietnam Veterans of America, aligning with recognition-based support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SJR 614: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes constitutional amendment to Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution to allow the general assembly to authorize the entity operating the state lottery to develop lottery games to be used exclusively to fund veterans' services. -

SJR 614 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Tennessee's General Assembly to direct the state lottery entity to develop and operate specific lottery games whose revenue is exclusively dedicated to funding veterans' services. This would amend Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution to create a new, dedicated funding stream for veterans' programs, separate from current lottery revenue allocations. The amendment requires approval by the legislature and then by voters to become part of the state constitution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated lottery revenue stream for veterans' services, advancing funding for public program under budget management.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProposes dedicated lottery revenue exclusively for veterans' services via constitutional amendment, creating new funding stream per bill summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HJR 794: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee, to allow for bingo games conducted by 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations to meet a charitable, nonprofit, or community service purpose. -

This resolution proposes amending Tennessee's constitution to allow 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) charitable organizations (like community nonprofits and veterans' groups) to conduct bingo games for community purposes. It would explicitly permit these groups to host bingo events under state law, which currently restricts such activities. Future state legislation would establish uniform statewide rules for these permitted bingo operations. The amendment requires voter approval before taking effect.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExplicitly permits veterans' groups (501(c)(19)) to host bingo for fundraising, enabling financial support for their services under constitutional amendment.85% confidence

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