Veterans (Veteran Healthcare)

died · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HJR 1147: Memorials, Congress - Urges Tennessee delegation to prevent closure of McMinnville VA clinic. -

This bill is a joint resolution urging Tennessee's congressional delegation to take action to prevent the closure of the McMinnville VA clinic in Warren County. The resolution highlights that thousands of veterans in the area rely on this facility for medical care and notes the VA's official announcement of the clinic's planned closure by May 31, 2026. It formally requests that federal representatives advocate for keeping the clinic open to continue serving veterans' physical and mental health needs. The document does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of support for the clinic's continued operation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges preventing closure of VA clinic, protecting veterans' access to physical and mental health services, directly supporting healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill urges preventing closure of VA clinic, directly protecting veteran healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare

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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

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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

in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1914: 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.

HB 1914 amends Tennessee law to allow state veterans' homes to provide services beyond skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans, as permitted by state or federal law. This directly affects veterans who may need non-skilled care services, such as community support or transitional housing, at state facilities. The bill updates Section 58-7-101(e) to explicitly authorize these additional services while maintaining existing skilled nursing offerings. It also makes minor administrative updates to related sections regarding facility operations and contracts. The changes aim to expand care options for veterans without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands services at veterans' homes beyond skilled nursing, including non-skilled care like community support, improving access to supportive health services for veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands authorized services at state veterans' homes beyond skilled nursing to include community support and transitional housing for honorably discharged veterans, strengthening access to non-skilled care options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 249: Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, requires that veterans who are Tennessee residents be offered the same discounts at state parks at the same rates and with the same frequency as discounts offered to state employees at state parks. - Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 3 and Title 58.

SB 249 requires Tennessee state parks to offer resident veterans the same discounts for activities, retail purchases, camping, and lodging as those provided to state employees. It also establishes a separate 50% year-round discount for camping and overnight cabin lodging for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, contingent on providing documentation of disability and Tennessee residency. Veterans must present proof of veteran status and residency to qualify for the standard discounts, and additional documentation is required for the 50% disability discount. The bill amends Tennessee law and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires state parks to offer veterans same discounts as employees and 50% disability discount, expanding access to benefits and recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 1: Memorials, Congress - Urges Congress to enact legislation to expand and improve efforts to treat traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. -

This is a resolution (not a binding bill), formally urging the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that would expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It specifically references the Veterans' National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act (H.R. 3649), which would fund pilot programs for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside counseling. The resolution does not create new policy but requests Congress adopt such legislation to improve veteran care. It directly affects veterans with TBI or PTSD by advocating for broader treatment options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges Congress to fund veterans' TBI/PTSD treatment access via pilot programs (H.R. 3649), explicitly expanding healthcare services for covered conditions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges Congress to expand TBI/PTSD treatments and fund pilot programs via referenced bill (H.R. 3649), directly advancing veterans' healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 23, 2025

SB 183: Veterans - As introduced, declares certain actions by a person advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters for compensation to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce and to be subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 58, Chapter 3.

SB 183 would regulate for-profit advisors who assist veterans with benefits claims by requiring written agreements that payment is contingent only on a successful benefits increase (capped at five times the monthly increase) and banning upfront or nonrefundable fees. It mandates clear disclosures informing veterans that free services are available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee’s veterans services, and that the advisor is not affiliated with those agencies. The bill also prohibits advisors from guaranteeing specific outcomes, using veterans’ personal login credentials, or processing sensitive data via international call centers without background checks for staff. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRegulates for-profit veterans' benefits advisors to prevent deceptive practices, mandates fee transparency, and directs veterans to free VA/Tennessee services, protecting veterans from exploitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 922: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the commissioner to conduct a study on creating new or streamlining existing pathways to careers as primary care providers in this state for individuals who have medical training as noncommissioned officers in the armed forces of the United States; requires the commissioner to conduct the study using existing department resources; requires the commissioner to deliver findings and recommendations from the study to the chief clerk of the senate, chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 922 requires Tennessee's Health Commissioner to study ways to help veterans with military medical training (like medics or corpsmen) become primary care providers in Tennessee, such as doctors, nurses, or physician assistants. The study must identify barriers in current laws, find where military training counts toward licensure, and suggest new or streamlined career pathways. It directs the commissioner to use existing department resources and report findings and recommendations to lawmakers by December 31, 2025. This bill does not change laws immediately but aims to create future options for veteran healthcare workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudies pathways for veterans to become primary care providers, aiming to expand healthcare workforce and improve access to services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill studies pathways for veterans with military medical training to become primary care providers, directly supporting veteran employment in healthcare careers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Primary Care Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 52: Veterans - As introduced, enacts the "Veterans Assistance for Livelihood, Opportunity, and Relief (VALOR) Act," which exempts disabled veterans who have 100 percent permanent and total disability from a service-connected cause from the payment of certain taxes and fees. - Amends TCA Section 5-8-102; Title 55, Chapter 4; Title 67 and Title 70, Chapter 2.

HB 52, the VALOR Act, exempts Tennessee veterans with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability from specific taxes and fees. It removes the $10 fee for permanent hunting/fishing licenses, reimburses property taxes on their primary home, and waives registration fees for one vehicle (passenger car, RV, or half/¾-ton truck). Eligibility requires verification of disability status through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly benefiting qualifying veterans who own homes or vehicles in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for disabled veterans (waiving fees/taxes), directly reducing their tax burden. This aligns with 'support' indicators of tax relief for vulnerable groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts 100% disabled veterans from taxes/fees on licenses, property, and vehicle registration, directly expanding financial benefits per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1140: Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission - As enacted, makes changes relative to temporary group hunting event permits. - Amends TCA Title 58 and Title 70.

SB 1140 allows Tennessee's Fish & Wildlife Commission to issue free temporary hunting licenses to veterans with any service-connected disability percentage who participate in hunts sponsored by not-for-profit organizations. The license is valid only for the duration of the specific hunting event (maximum 7 days) and requires a Veterans Administration certification as proof of disability. This policy change directly affects disabled veterans seeking access to organized hunting opportunities without cost. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 70-2-104 (hunting regulations) and 58 (fish & wildlife commission authority), effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free hunting licenses to disabled veterans with VA certification, expanding recreational access and services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare