The Tennessee State Capitol, April 1, 2026
As Tennessee’s 2026 legislative session winds down, issues related to education dominated much of this week’s discussions.
On Wednesday, GOP lawmakers announced they are pushing for an “intervention” of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district following the release of a 329-page interim forensic audit detailing “systemic problems.”
Amendment aims to increase tracking requirements for the immigration status of K-12 students
Also, House Republicans tacked an amendment onto their effort to expand Tennessee’s school voucher program, making the proposal significantly different from the Senate’s version of the bill — and giving the two chambers just a few weeks to come to an agreement. The House amendment would fund a total of 35,000 Education Freedom Scholarships — as opposed to the Senate and governor’s proposal of 40,000 — and require public schools to provide proof of citizenship or legal immigration status of students who leave to attend private schools as part of the voucher program.
In addition to efforts to increase religion in schools and to ensure cooperation with immigration enforcement, the General Assembly continues to advance legislation that could change Metro's upcoming election schedule and expand representation on the Nashville Electric Service board. Here’s an overview of this week’s happenings at the Capitol.
Bill to Bar TennCare From Covering Gender-Affirming Care Passes
TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, does not cover gender-affirming care, but a bill that nevertheless prohibits such care is on its way to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. A bill that would require insurance companies and health care providers to submit data on transgender patients and their treatments to the state health department passed the House last week, but is still awaiting action in the Senate.
Sponsor Faison calls gender-affirming care ‘as dumb as frontal lobotomies’
Religion in Schools, Language Assistance Head to Governor
Republican-backed legislation that would allow public schools to teach the “positive impacts of religion on American history” passed in the House this week. The legislation is headed to Gov. Lee’s desk for a signature despite pushback from Democrats who argue religion should not overstep into schools.
Also en route to the governor is a Democrat-sponsored bill that would allow students who are English language learners and receive language assistance in the classroom to receive the same assistance while taking the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test.
Metro Election Schedule Could Change Under Proposed Bill
A bill that would require local governments to hold elections during the same years as primary or general elections, or even-numbered years, advanced in the House State and Local Government Committee.
This would affect Nashville’s Metro elections, which are currently held in odd-numbered years. As currently written, the law would extend the term of Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the current Metro Council by one year.
The legislation’s sponsors, Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) and Sen. Joe Hensley (R-Hohenwald), say the bill comes in an effort to increase voter participation. The bill passed 16-7 in committee on Tuesday with opposition coming from both Democrats and Republicans. It heads to the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on April 8.
CDL Restrictions Advance
A bill that would make it a class-A misdemeanor for someone unlawfully present in the U.S. to operate a commercial vehicle passed the Senate on Thursday in a 26-6 vote. An amendment to the bill also clarifies that the new liability claims aren't covered unless an insurance policy explicitly provides coverage for them. Tennessee issues three different classes of commercial driver’s licenses.
The House version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville), is listed as behind the budget, meaning it is not likely to survive the session.
Forcing Judicial Cooperation With Immigration Agents
House Bill 1707 would require courts to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and federal immigration agents “acting in the enforcement of federal immigration law.” It would also open the door for punishing judges, including removing them from the bench if they “obstruct lawful operations.” The bill passed the House floor in a 72-23 vote.
Bill sponsor Rep. Rick Scarbrough (R-Oak Ridge) characterized the bill as a “proactive measure” that would create “a clear understanding of cooperation with our Tennessee state judges” amid the ongoing state and federal immigration crackdown.
Democrats expressed concerns about judicial discretion. Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) cited the January killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota, saying that if a federal agent unlawfully killed a citizen in Tennessee, a judge could be removed from the bench for presiding over a case or signing a warrant related to a homicide charge for that agent.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to debate the bill on April 8.
From left: Republican Reps. Elaine Davis, Johnny Garrett and Kirk Haston in the House State and Local Government Committee, March 31, 2026
Legal Status for Public Benefits Bill Passes Senate, Advances In House Committee
A bill requiring local governments to verify the legal status of adults applying for public benefits passed the House State and Local Government Committee in a 17-6 vote on Tuesday, one day after it passed a Senate floor vote 26-6.
The bill passed despite concerns from Democrats and testimony from Jon Warkentin, a Knox County doctor and retired Tennessee Department of Health officer. Warkentin said the bill targets immigrants through discriminatory practices and could mean medical care might not be given to patients in need. Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) argued that emergency medical situations are excluded from the bill.
The bill will now be debated on April 8 in the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
Protesters attend a House State and Local Government Committee as immigration bills are debated, March 31, 2026
287g Mandate Advances
A bill that would require sheriffs’ offices across Tennessee to enter into 287g agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement passed the House State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday in a 17-6 vote.
Bill sponsor Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) pushed back against Democrats’ criticisms of the legislation, arguing that cities like Nashville and Memphis are operating as sanctuary cities (something already outlawed by the General Assembly). Garrett reaffirmed his support of President Donald Trump’s top adviser, Stephen Miller, who is advising the state’s Republican supermajority in their slew of immigration bills this session.
“This piece of legislation will make sure [sheriffs’ offices] have a will to abide by our federal laws,” Garrett said, dismissing concerns that already crowded jails could be further overwhelmed as a result of the legislation. “I object to the premise that this is going to flood our local jails. If it does, that means we're having more people committing crimes, and in this state we’re not soft on crime.”
The bill passed as several protesters were ejected from the hearing room. The legislation will be debated in the April 8 House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and other legislative leaders in the state Capitol, April 1, 2026
NES Representation Bill Revived
A bill to bring Williamson County representation to the Nashville Electric Service board has been revived after an earlier version died in a House committee last week.
An amended version of HB 2592, sponsored by Rep. Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon), would allow counties with more than 3,500 ratepayers — who are served by a municipally owned electric company but don’t reside in that municipality — to have a seat on the company’s board. The county mayor would appoint the member through county commission approval.
The new bill passed Tuesday’s House State and Local Government Committee in a 12-9 vote and now moves on to the April 8 House Finance, Ways and Means Committee.
Children featured in content also have the right to ask for old videos to be removed
Bills on Suicide Rulings and Children’s Online Content Approved
A bill from Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) that would allow parents to challenge a suicide ruling is on its way to the governor’s desk. The bill was inspired by a case in which a constituent suspected that her daughter was killed, but was unable to access documents because her daughter’s spouse was next of kin.
Kids featured in online content will be able to ask for its removal under a bill also on its way to Gov. Lee’s desk. Senate Bill 1469 also requires a portion of revenue made by such content to be put into a trust fund the child can access when they turn 18.
Senate OKs Democrat-Led Child Care Center Legislation
A bill from Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) that seeks to ease administrative burdens for child care centers passed the Senate this week as it awaits further action in the House. Similar legislation is underway at the local level.
