Debate and heated protests over immigration legislation once again defined this week at the Tennessee General Assembly.
Lamberth-sponsored legislation comes as stripped-down version of highly contested bill from 2025
Protesters packed a committee room on Wednesday as lawmakers advanced House Bill 793, which is sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) and would require schools to track the immigration status of students. The legislation is carried over from the General Assembly’s 2025 session and has been amended to remove language that would have banned undocumented students from attending Tennessee public schools or charged them tuition — provisions that stirred numerous protests last year.
In other legislative business, education and health care policy remains top-of-mind for some lawmakers. Meanwhile, efforts to secure state control over The Boring Company’s Music City Loop tunnel in Nashville advanced, as did attempts to crack down on protesters. Here’s a recap of this week at the state Capitol.
Protesters watch a committee hearing related to House Bill 793, March 4, 2026
Airport Takeover Bill Flies Through Subcommittee
House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) substituted a caption bill early this week with new legislation that would give state lawmakers control over major airports in Tennessee. Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta), a leading candidate to replace the outgoing Randy McNally as lieutenant governor, carries the bill in the Senate.
New bill would give state lawmakers power over airport authorities in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
If passed, local airport authorities would be replaced by a governing board of state appointees, two each from the governor, state House speaker and state Senate speaker. A local executive, such as a mayor, would appoint the board’s remaining three members. Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) presented the bill to the House Transportation Subcommittee on Tuesday, which recommended its passage despite two no votes from Democratic Reps. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis).
State lawmakers have long fixated on assuming greater control over airports. The Tennessee Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments defending the state’s 2023 bill aimed at reconstituting Nashville’s airport board, though justices seemed skeptical that it passed constitutional muster. This new approach could prove successful with greater statewide effect.
Republicans Push ‘Mercenary Rioting’ Bill
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and House Majority Whip Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon) introduced a “mercenary rioting” bill targeting “paid protesters” this week.
GOP lawmakers have long claimed — without evidence — that protesters who frequent the legislature are being paid
Republicans at the Capitol have long claimed — without evidence — that protesters who frequent the legislature are being paid to disrupt lawmakers. The bill passed Wednesday’s House Civil Justice Subcommittee in a 6-1-1 vote, and will be heard next in the House Judiciary Committee on March 11.
Also this week, the Senate Government Operations Committee approved a bill that would codify the state’s Office of Homeland Security and move to “develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to secure the state against terrorist threats and attacks.” Senate Bill 1880, also sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Johnson, was presented during Wednesday’s hearing by co-sponsor Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield).
The state has maintained a homeland security office since 2003, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which spurred the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The state office was given police powers in 2004 and has existed under executive authority of the governor. This bill would codify the office by state law.
“It puts Tennessee's homeland security mission on a clear, lawful and accountable footing so that we can protect the people of Tennessee,” Roberts said. “This authority would include creating a strategic plan to secure the safe from terrorist threats and attacks, to work with governmental entities and private sector entities on matters of homeland security and investigating threats or attacks on schools, threats or attacks on critical infrastructure, threats or attacks on public officials and cyber attacks.”
The amended bill was passed in a 6-2 vote, with Democratic Sens. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) and Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) voting against the bill.
“We will be working in conjunction with the federal government, yet we’re paying,” Kyle said, also raising concerns about state Homeland Security agents potentially working with ICE. Oliver asked about data and information sharing between the state’s Homeland Security office and federal authorities or private entities.
Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security Gregory Mays testified during the hearing, saying the office is “mainly a receiver of information” from federal law enforcement agencies. He specifically cited investigations into threats of violence in schools, as well as those against lawmakers and the public in general.
“We're dealing with threats everywhere,” Mays said, noting that Tennessee is home to a prominent military and national defense sector, as well as critical infrastructure, commerce routes and a large health care industry.
The bill is set to be heard next in the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee on March 11.
Rep. Yusuf Hakeem at a House Population Subcommittee meeting following the defeat of his House Bill 179, March 3, 2026
Abortion Debate Continues, Medical Debt Bill Fails
Tennessee has a ban on abortion, with slim exceptions to save the life of the mother. This year, legislators are seeking to push legislation that would classify an abortion as homicide, as well as penalize those who distribute mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortion as well as in cases of miscarriage.
State Republicans lose footing on bill to make abortion homicide; Dems look to protect emergency care
Meanwhile, a bill that would allow abortions in cases of rape and incest failed again this week.
“I think we need to broaden our understanding of exceptions as opposed to banning things entirely, and I think we have to be mindful in dealing with the life of the mother, because she could die in certain circumstances,” bill sponsor Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (D-Chattanooga) tells the Scene. “What kind of trauma would a young person have … trying to raise a child of a person who has done great harm to them. I question if my colleagues are appreciating that.”
An attempt from Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) and Rep. Shaundelle Brooks (D-Nashville) to assist people in paying their medical debts and prevent hospitals from sharing debt information on consumer credit reports failed this week. The bill would have made a $1 million fund for the government to contract with a nonprofit to distribute funds to eligible families.
Education Funding Effort Fails, Presidential Fitness Heads to Governor
The “Universal Pre-K Funding Act” from Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) and Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) failed in the Senate Education Committee this week. The legislation would have allotted $2.7 million in tax dollars to establish more preschools in the state — enough for every 4-year-old.
After receiving bipartisan support, a bill that would require schools to administer the Presidential Fitness Test “to assess their strength, endurance and flexibility” passed the Senate on Thursday and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Ellen McPherson (left) and Ann Patchett in the state Capitol's Old Supreme Court Chambers for Rep. Justin Jones' Literary Day on the Hill, March 3, 2026
Renaming the West Bank
A Republican-sponsored bill advanced in the House State and Local Government Committee that would require state agencies to cease using the term “West Bank” and instead use the phrasing “Judea and Samaria” when referring to the Israeli-occupied land. The legislation was met with much opposition from Democrats, some of whom argued against the bill saying the legislature should be focusing on issues that directly affect Tennesseans. Protesters also argued that the bill delegitimizes the existence of Palestinian people and shows unfair favor toward Christian values in the General Assembly.
