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TennesseeSB 0933114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, to revise appointing authority for statutorily created entities.

Sponsored By: Paul Rose (Republican)

Became Law

Boards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Bigger commission with legislative appointees

The state higher education commission now has 21 members, up from 19. The governor appoints 10 public members, one from each congressional district. The senate and house speakers each appoint two at‑large public members. Initial terms are staggered to start the cycle; after that, terms are six years. Governor’s appointees must be confirmed by the senate, and they serve unless the senate votes to remove them.

New makeup for state university boards

Each state university board has 12 members: 11 voting and 1 nonvoting student. At least 8 voting members are Tennessee residents or major supporters of the school or its community. The governor appoints 6 voting members; the senate speaker appoints 2; the house speaker appoints 2. Initial terms are staggered; after that, all terms are six years. Members can serve two consecutive six‑year terms, then must wait four years. Tennessee State University’s board grows from 10 to 12 members, and governor and legislative appointees must attend orientation run by the commission.

New rules for UT Board of Trustees

The University of Tennessee board has 14 members: the commissioner of agriculture (voting), 1 nonvoting student, 8 governor appointees, 2 senate speaker appointees, and 2 house speaker appointees. One seat from each chamber replaces a governor appointee after June 30, 2026. At least two trustees must live in each grand division, at least four governor appointees must be UT alumni, and at least six trustees must be Tennessee residents. Initial speaker appointee terms end June 30, 2030; after that, all terms are six years, with a two‑consecutive‑term limit and a four‑year wait to return. Vacancies are filled by the same appointing authority; loss of domicile vacates the seat; missing over 50% of regular meetings in a year can lead to removal.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Tom Hatcher

    Republican • Senate

  • Bill Powers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 106 • No: 22

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 75 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/31/2025

Yes: 23 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 452

    5/15/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/09/2025

    5/15/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/9/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/28/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0237)

    4/21/2025House

  10. Passed H., Ayes 75, Nays 17, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  11. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/3/2025House

  12. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 23, Nays 5

    3/31/2025Senate

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/31/2025Senate

  14. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/31/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/28/2025Senate

  16. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0175)

    3/27/2025Senate

  17. Senate Reset on calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/27/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/27/2025

    3/25/2025Senate

  19. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/19/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025

    3/12/2025Senate

  21. Recalled from Senate Commerce & Labor Committee

    3/11/2025Senate

  22. Refer to Senate Education Committee

    3/11/2025Senate

  23. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  24. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  25. Filed for introduction

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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