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TennesseeHB 0622114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49, relative to hiring practices of governmental entities.

Sponsored By: Aron Maberry (Republican)

Became Law

Local Government, General

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

No race-based educator diversity policies

Tennessee’s State Board that sets education rules cannot adopt policies that promote educator diversity based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or similar traits instead of merit. Any Board policy that conflicts with this rule is void. This limits statewide educator hiring guidance to merit-based criteria.

Public jobs use merit, not demographics

Counties, cities, metro governments, school districts, public colleges, and state agencies must base job decisions on merit, qualifications, veteran status, or other lawful criteria—not race, ethnicity, sex, age, or similar traits. Employment decisions include hiring, firing, promotion, pay, discipline, evaluations, training, reassignment, and other job terms. Actions required by state or federal employment laws are excluded. If following this law would cause loss of federal funding, the entity can request a written exemption from the Tennessee Comptroller. The Comptroller sets notice guidelines, reviews requests, and may grant a one‑year exemption. Exemptions must be renewed each year, and the entity must notify the Comptroller within 14 days if the reasons end.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aron Maberry

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Gino Bulso

    Republican • House

  • Kip Capley

    Republican • House

  • Michele Carringer

    Republican • House

  • Elaine Davis

    Republican • House

  • Jeremy Faison

    Republican • House

  • Rusty Grills

    Republican • House

  • Timothy Hill

    Republican • House

  • Bud Hulsey

    Republican • House

  • William Lamberth

    Republican • House

  • Mary Littleton

    Republican • House

  • Jake McCalmon

    Republican • House

  • Bill Powers

    Republican • Senate

  • Jay D. Reedy

    Republican • House

  • Shane Reeves

    Republican • Senate

  • Michele Reneau

    Republican • House

  • Cameron Speaker Sexton

    Republican • House

  • Paul Sherrell

    Republican • House

  • Bryan Terry

    Republican • House

  • Chris Todd

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 412 • No: 255

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2025

Yes: 27 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Lay on the Table Amend# 2 by Senator Yarbro Third Consideration 4/22/2025

Yes: 26 • No: 6

House vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 3 BY JONES J PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/17/2025

Yes: 70 • No: 22

House vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/17/2025

Yes: 73 • No: 24

House vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 4 BY JOHNSON PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/17/2025

Yes: 24 • No: 71

House vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 4 BY JOHNSON PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/17/2025

Yes: 68 • No: 24

House vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 3 BY JONES J PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/17/2025

Yes: 23 • No: 72

House vote • 4/16/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2025

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 10 • No: 4

House vote • 4/9/2025

FLOOR VOTE: MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES 4/9/2025

Yes: 69 • No: 19

House vote • 4/8/2025

HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 17 • No: 5

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE CITIES & COUNTIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 494

    5/27/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/21/2025

    5/27/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/9/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/8/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/28/2025House

  8. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0335)

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Amendment tabled (Amendment 2 - SA0407)

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 6

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0345)

    4/17/2025House

  13. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0412)

    4/17/2025House

  14. Failed to adopt (Amendment 3 - HA0470), Ayes 23, Nays 72, PNV 0

    4/17/2025House

  15. Failed to adopt (Amendment 4 - HA0471), Ayes 24, Nays 71, PNV 0

    4/17/2025House

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/17/2025House

  17. Passed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 24, PNV 0

    4/17/2025House

  18. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/17/2025House

  19. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/17/2025Senate

  20. Reset on next avail. cal.

    4/16/2025House

  21. H. Placed on Regular Calendar 4/17/2025

    4/16/2025House

  22. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2025

    4/15/2025House

  23. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/15/2025

    4/14/2025House

  24. Placed on cal. Education Committee for 4/9/2025

    4/9/2025House

  25. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/9/2025House

Bill Text

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