Veterans (Veteran Education) in Tennessee

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 11, 2026

SJR 1051: Memorials, Recognition - Veterans Month, November 2026 -

This legislative resolution formally recognizes Veterans Month in November 2026 to honor the service of Tennessee's veterans. It acknowledges the state's large veteran population, including those with service-connected disabilities, and highlights their contributions to the nation. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture of gratitude and remembrance. It directs the state to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation, omitting specific legislative designations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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 ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

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

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 ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1789: 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.

HB 1789 requires Tennessee public colleges and universities to classify military spouses and dependents of active-duty service members or veterans as in-state students for tuition purposes, regardless of whether they’ve lived in Tennessee for one year. This applies if the spouse or dependent resides in Tennessee while enrolled, maintains continuous enrollment, and meets citizenship or residency requirements. The bill amends state law to make this mandatory (replacing "may" with "shall") and expands eligibility to include military dependents living outside Tennessee. It takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year and applies to all public higher education institutions in the state.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1972: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Veteran Protection and Due Process Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38 and Title 58.

SB 1972 requires Tennessee law enforcement to verify veteran status before assisting federal immigration actions. It prohibits state cooperation unless federal authorities certify the person isn't a veteran or the VA has confirmed their status. Agencies must screen for military service records, delay transfers until verification, and provide veterans access to legal counsel. The law directly affects veterans facing immigration enforcement and state/local police handling such cases.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2051: 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.

SB 2051 adds Western Governors University (WGU) to the list of eligible institutions for tuition reimbursement under Tennessee's STRONG Act, which supports active members of the Tennessee National Guard. The bill amends the law to include WGU in the definition of "educational institution" for competency-based programs meeting specific criteria, such as regional accreditation, a Tennessee physical presence, and a state partnership. This directly affects National Guard members who wish to attend WGU and qualify for tuition reimbursement under the STRONG program. The bill does not change existing eligibility rules, credit limits, or academic requirements for the program.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

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

All veterans bills