After several weeks of protests related to a bill that would allow school boards to prohibit undocumented students from attending public schools, another bill targeting immigrants is headed to the governor’s desk. House Bill 749/Senate Bill 1086 passed the Senate on Monday and will invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants, making the use of such licenses while driving a class-B misdemeanor. Tennessee does not currently allow undocumented immigrants to receive driver’s licenses.
Legislation heading for Senate floor following discussion of its financial impact
The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), who say the bill only invalidates licenses when they are used to operate a motor vehicle and not when used for other occasions, like buying alcohol and going to the airport.
“We do not grant driving privileges to people who are not in the country lawfully, therefore why in the world would we recognize a driver’s license that’s issued to someone who’s in the country unlawfully by another state?” Johnson said during Monday’s floor session.
Democrats oppose the bill and say it will conflict with laws enacted in other states that allow the licenses to be issued. Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) called the bill “constitutionally unsound,” while Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) said it will lead to racial profiling.
“That is not the climate we should want to create, that this legislation will create,” Lamar said. Johnson argued racial profiling will not occur under the law, calling it a “gross insult to our brave men and women in law enforcement.”
The bill passed 26-6 along party lines and is en route to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk to become state law.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson speaks on behalf os Senate Bill 1086, April 7, 2025
Earlier in the day, dozens of protesters continued to speak out in opposition of HB 793/SB 836, divisive legislation that authorizes school boards to bar undocumented students from enrolling in public schools or charge their families tuition.
The bill narrowly passed the House Government Operations Committee with an 8-7 vote.
As lawmakers cast their votes, protesters — including several faith leaders — kneeled at the front of the committee room and began repeatedly reciting the Lord’s Prayer, disrupting the meeting before the committee adjourned and state troopers cleared the protesters from the room.
This comes after more than 240 Tennessee pastors, Christian leaders and faith-based organizations issued a letter urging legislators to vote against the bill. The legislation will head to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee in the coming days.
