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General Assembly concludes successful special session

Lawmakers provide disaster relief, address illegal immigration

The House and Senate chambers on Jan. 30 concluded a successful special session of the 114th General Assembly, securing critical resources for disaster relief, establishing a framework for immigration enforcement and providing education freedom for Tennessee families.

The General Assembly on Monday convened in an extraordinary special session for the 67th time in Tennessee’s 229 years of statehood. Lawmakers worked throughout the week, meeting with constituents, debating legislation and considering testimony from citizens on pressing issues. In all, the General Assembly passed seven bills appropriating $908 million for education, disaster relief and public safety.

Republicans launch new era of student success

Tennessee Republicans in partnership with Gov. Bill Lee launched a new era of student success and put the Volunteer State on the pathway to having the best public schools in the nation with passage of the Education Freedom Act of 2025.

The bill establishes statewide school choice, giving every Tennessee family the opportunity to choose the educational path that best suits their child’s needs. The legislation makes historic investments in public education while preserving the future fiscal integrity of public schools.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signaled his support for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Act on social media platforms.

“Congratulations to Tennessee Legislators who are working hard to pass School Choice this week, which I totally support. We will very soon be sending Education BACK TO THE STATES, where it belongs,” said President Trump. “It is our goal to bring Education in the United States to the highest level, one that it has never attained before. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order prioritizing federal funds to expand school choice nationwide.

House Bill 6004: The Education Freedom Act empowers Tennessee parents with the freedom to pick the right school for their child regardless of income or zip code.

Education Freedom Act prioritizes students in need: 20,000 scholarships will be available to Tennessee students beginning in the 2025-26 school year, with 10,000 seats reserved for students at or below 300% of income qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, who have a disability, or who are eligible for the existing Education Savings Account (ESA) program.

• Grows with demand: 5,000 scholarships with universal eligibility are added for each subsequent school year after applications exceed 75% of total scholarships.
• Funds choice: Students will receive a scholarship equal to the per pupil base funds allocated to public school students each year of $7,075.
• Supports opportunity: More than 350 private schools will be eligible to voluntarily receive Education Freedom Scholarships as category I-III schools.
• Accountability and transparency: Students take standardized national or state tests, with results shared with parents and anonymously reported to the legislature for annual review.
• Protects education freedoms: House Bill 6004 ensures schools maintain their independence and educational freedom.

Tennessee Republicans have invested 3.8 billion new dollars in public education over the last decade and provided nearly $1 billion in teacher pay raises during the same time. Republicans this week renewed their commitment to supporting public schools by further investing in the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula and raising minimum teacher pay during the regular legislative session. The Education Freedom Act includes significant new investments in Tennessee’s public schools, including:

• Supports public schools: Ensures funding to school districts will never decrease due to disenrollment.
• Rewards teachers: Provides $198 million to distribute a $2,000 bonus to every Tennessee teacher.
• Invests in infrastructure: Dedicates 80% of sports wagering revenues to building and maintaining K-12 public school facilities, prioritizing emergency needs as well as at-risk and distressed counties.

House Bill 6005: Lawmakers appropriated $424.2 million for education

• $145.9 million for Education Freedom Scholarships (the General Assembly previously appropriated $144.2 million in the 2024 legislative session)
• $198.4 million for teacher bonuses
• $77.2 million for K-12 infrastructure directed from existing sports wagering revenue
• $2.7 million for administrative costs.

“Today, the legislature delivered a major victory for Tennessee families,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said on Thursday. “We empowered parents with the freedom to choose the best education for their children, took bold action to align with President Trump’s immigration plan to protect our communities, and provided critical relief to East Tennesseans recovering from Hurricane Helene. These steps strengthen our state, uphold the rule of law, and put Tennesseans first. I’m grateful for the leadership of my colleagues and Governor Lee as we continue making Tennessee the best state in the nation.”

GOP protects citizens, enforces immigration laws

The General Assembly on Thursday passed House Bill 6001, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, which will establish a new temporary state immigration enforcement division, create a grant program to financially assist local governments who aid in immigration enforcement, raise standards to obtain state-issued identification and create local accountability for officials who violate state law through sanctuary cities policies.

“We are not a sanctuary to illegal immigrants from across the world that try to come to this state,” Lamberth said. “If you come here illegally, you will be deported.”

The legislation establishes the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED) within the Tennessee Department of Safety. The new temporary division will serve as a liaison between the state and federal governments to streamline communications and ensure proper and efficient enforcement of immigration laws.

The CIED will enter Tennessee into a 287(g) program with the federal government, which allows law enforcement agencies across the state to perform certain immigration officer functions under the oversight and direction of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). To help fund these efforts and incentivize local municipalities to enter into a 287(g) program of their own, the legislation creates a $5 million Immigration Enforcement Grant Program for law enforcement training, equipment purchases and other eligible activities.

The CIED will be led by a chief immigration officer, appointed by the governor, to work with President Trump’s border czar and coordinate state efforts.

To further improve public safety, House Bill 6001 will make it a Class E felony offense for local officials to adopt or maintain sanctuary city policies, which are currently a violation of Tennessee state law. The legislation establishes a process for Tennessee’s Attorney General to initiate removal proceedings against local officials who have been convicted of violating anti-sanctuary city provisions.

Finally, the legislation will create a new temporary state-issued ID issued to legal non-citizens that includes a visually distinctive marker to distinguish from IDs held by U.S. citizens. It will also restrict eligibility for state-issued IDs to citizens, lawful permanent residents and individuals here with federal authorization. These efforts will ensure only American citizens receive permanent identification and will prevent non-citizens from registering to vote or taking advantage of services exclusive to U.S. citizens.   

Relief for Hurricane Helene, future disaster prep passes

The General Assembly approved more than $450 million in direct disaster relief for those impacted by Hurricane Helene and to prepare for future disasters.

On Sept. 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene struck northeast Tennessee, causing catastrophic flooding that resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread destruction of homes and businesses. The state estimates damage-related costs total $1.2 billion.   

House Republicans passed legislation establishing funds to assist with recovery efforts and to make sure the state is able to immediately assist when future disasters strike.

House Bill 6003, sponsored by State Rep. Tim Hicks, R-Gray, establishes two disaster relief funds totaling $210 million, including the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund and the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund.

“No one could have predicted the devastation Hurricane Helene would cause in northeast Tennessee,” Hicks said. “While we faced immense loss in lives and homes, we also witnessed the true spirit of community through support from across the state. The road to recovery is long and challenging, but this funding will empower our communities to rebuild and provide the resources needed to take quick action in future disasters.”

The $110 million Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund helps local governments cover up to 5 percent of interest on federal loans for up to three years, easing financial pressure and stabilizing local finances while awaiting federal reimbursements.

The $100 million Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund enables immediate state assistance after disasters and addresses needs like agricultural losses, unemployment and business recovery without having to wait for federal approval. Interest earnings may also be allocated to support the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund, amplifying its impact.

Assistant Majority Leader Mark Cochran, R-Englewood, sponsored House Bill 6002, which waives certain requirements during a state of emergency and allows the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) to immediately assist local officials and suspend eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits for disaster victims.

The General Assembly approved $240 million for the Disaster Relief Grants Fund to be administered by TEMA. The program bolsters Tennessee’s existing disaster relief fund and reduces the local cost-share burden for Helene-impacted communities from 12.5% to 5%. It also supports the state’s match for federal disaster funds and covers administrative costs.

A $20 million grant was also approved for Carter County to fund the reconstruction and relocation of Hampton High School. The school’s campus was completely destroyed in Helene and they have been temporarily learning out of a former elementary school in the area.

Property tax relief will benefit Helene victims

A new law passed unanimously by the General Assembly on Wednesday provides property tax relief for victims of Hurricane Helene and enhances mutual aid cooperation between local governments during emergencies.

House Bill 6007, sponsored by House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, will provide property tax relief to Tennesseans whose properties were damaged or destroyed by disasters certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency between Sept. 26-30, 2024.

“There’s hope in the human spirit of what took place when all the floods came, rose, and destroyed us,” Faison said. “The love poured in after was greater than the floods that came. This is a grant that is equal to 130%. It’s not much, but it’s something for people who have nothing.”

Property owners will receive payments equal to their 2024 property taxes plus 30 percent.

To qualify, owners must submit the required documentation to the comptroller of the Treasury by June 30, 2025. The relief is available through Dec. 31, 2025.

The law also allows local governments to send personnel and equipment to assist in emergencies outside their jurisdiction with the approval of their chief executive officer.

Transportation authority will support infrastructure goals

The General Assembly has established the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority (TTFA) to finance and enhance the state’s transportation infrastructure, including highways, bridges, and airports.

House Bill 6006, sponsored by House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, would enable public-private partnership financing while clearly shielding the state from debt obligations through TTFA.  

“If we can get this operational quickly, we can get Tennesseans moving faster,” Garrett said. “By starting and completing these projects, people can get from A to B more quickly.”

The TTFA will have the power to issue bonds and loans to fund projects and enter agreements with state, federal, and private entities.

Bonds issued by the TTFA will be secured by revenues from transportation projects, not by the state’s general credit, and will be exempt from most state and local taxes. This would allow the Tennessee Department of Transportation to leverage private sector investment without incurring state debt.

The authority is designed to expedite funding for transportation improvements across the state, particularly in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Briefly…

Nation’s Report Card: The National Center for Education Statistics released the Nation’s Report Card on Wednesday showing Tennessee students outpacing the national average in reading and math. Fourth- and eighth-grade students in the Volunteer State increased reading scores by two and four points respectively, while math scores also rose between the 2022 and 2024 academic years. The meaningful gains come following a decade of historic investments in public education from Republicans in the General Assembly, including the largest teacher pay increase in Tennessee history in 2023 and boosting the average statewide pupil spending by 34% over the last 12 years.

Honoring Susie Wiles: The House on Monday passed a bipartisan resolution honoring Susie Wiles, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff. House Joint Resolution 50, sponsored by House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, celebrates Wiles for her leadership and for breaking new ground as the first woman to hold the position of White House chief of staff.

State of the State: Gov. Bill Lee will deliver his seventh State of the State address to members of the General Assembly and Tennesseans on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. Central Standard Time. The joint session will be held in the House chamber at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The address will be available on Lee’s Facebook and YouTube channels and aired statewide.

Bill filing deadline approaching: The bill filing deadline for the 2025 legislative session is Thursday, Feb. 6. As of Thursday, 626 bills have already been filed in the House.

114th General Assembly: Lawmakers will return to the State Capitol in Nashville on Monday, Feb. 3, to resume the 114th General Assembly.