The first legislative session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly has concluded and I have returned to Washington County with a full heart and a deeper sense of purpose. This session was marked by significant legislative achievements that reflect the values and priorities of our community. One of the most urgent needs our community faced […]
The first legislative session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly has concluded and I have returned to Washington County with a full heart and a deeper sense of purpose. This session was marked by significant legislative achievements that reflect the values and priorities of our community.
One of the most urgent needs our community faced this year was providing disaster relief to the thousands of Tennesseans in our region who were devastated by Hurricane Helene.
I’m proud to report the General Assembly approved $597 million in the state’s budget to provide property tax relief, grants and loan assistance for impacted communities while also preparing our state to respond to future disasters.
This was part of an overall $59.8 billion balanced budget that reflects Tennessee’s conservative values – living within our means while investing in priorities that matter most.
This includes strategic investments in education, public safety and critical transportation needs. I was also especially proud of the health care funding we secured to support long-term care facilities, mental health and dental care.
In addition to funding priorities, I advanced several key pieces of legislation this year, including limiting distractions in the classroom, expanding Abrial’s Law, and providing greater access to medications for cancer patients.
As a former educator, I know how important a strong foundation is for future success and ensuring children receive a quality education will always be one of my top priorities.
Today’s students face constant distractions, especially from cell phones and smart devices. Research shows nearly every teenager uses their phone during school hours and it can take them up to 20 minutes to refocus.
Beyond the classroom, social media can shape how kids see themselves and their lives. They deserve the chance to enjoy being teenagers without social media telling them how they should be living it.
That’s why I sponsored legislation requiring local school boards and charter schools to adopt policies restricting personal devices during instructional time. Each district has the flexibility to decide what works best for their students while ensuring parents can be reached during emergencies.
Schools in our region have succeeded with these policies, and I look forward to seeing similar progress statewide.
This session also allowed me to continue fighting for children in abusive or neglectful homes.
I was honored to expand Abrial’s Law; legislation I first passed in 2024 to protect children caught in custody battles involving abuse.
House Bill 1255 ensures judges document any history of abuse or restrictions on visitation and consider that history first when determining parenting plans. It also moves this requirement to the top of the statute, reinforcing its priority.
The bill also prevents a non-abusive parent from being forced to pay for the abusive parent’s supervised visits. These are commonsense protections for some of our most vulnerable children.
We also improved access to life-saving care for Tennesseans battling advanced-stage cancer.
I sponsored legislation eliminating unnecessary delays in treatment by prohibiting insurance companies from requiring “step therapy,” which requires patients to try cheaper drugs before receiving the medication their doctor originally prescribed.
For cancer patients, every day counts and this law helps ensure they get timely, effective care.
While I’m proud of what we achieved this year, there’s still more work to be done. I remain focused on improving Tennessee’s public schools and continuing to reform how TennCare determines funding for the services families rely on.
As summer begins, I look forward to connecting with constituents, community leaders and local stakeholders to prepare for the next session. Your input matters and it continues to guide the work I do on your behalf.
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives. I’m proud of what we have accomplished together and even more excited about what’s ahead.
Together, we’re building a stronger, safer, more resilient Tennessee that I’m beyond proud to call home.
Rebecca Alexander represents House District 7 which includes part of Washington County. She also serves as the House Republican Caucus Treasurer.