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TennesseeHB 1237114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 21; Title 9; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to state entities.

Sponsored By: Jason Zachary (Republican)

Became Law

Boards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Minority seat mandates end on many boards

The law removes required racial‑minority seats from many licensing and regulatory boards and commissions. Appointing officials no longer must reserve a seat, or two seats, for racial‑minority members. One board keeps a required female member but drops the African‑American seat. This shifts who may serve and reduces guaranteed minority representation across these bodies.

Diversity and age guidance removed

The law deletes guidance that told the governor to try to appoint at least one racial‑minority member on certain boards. It also removes guidance to aim for one member age 60 or older and one racial‑minority member on another board. It removes the words “and minorities” from a health statute. It deletes two other statutory parts, which may change how those sections work.

No race-based rules for board seats

The law bans state boards under Titles 62 and 63 from using race, color, ethnicity, or national origin to choose members. Boards cannot use quotas, racial preferences, or affirmative action in board makeup. Boards also cannot use race data to set who gets to serve. If a board discriminates, a private person can sue to enforce these rules.

Two boards drop racial seat rule

The law removes the past rule that at least one member be a racial minority on two state boards. Appointing officials no longer must reserve a seat based on race. This changes who may be appointed but does not change pay, fees, or taxes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jason Zachary

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scott Cepicky

    Republican • House

  • Mark Cochran

    Republican • House

  • Elaine Davis

    Republican • House

  • David B. Hawk

    Republican • House

  • Justin Lafferty

    Republican • House

  • Jake McCalmon

    Republican • House

  • Bill Powers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 285 • No: 88

House vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 1 4/7/2025

Yes: 73 • No: 22

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Table Re-Refer to Committee 3/31/2025

Yes: 24 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

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

Yes: 24 • No: 6

House vote • 3/10/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/10/2025

Yes: 71 • No: 23

House vote • 3/10/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/10/2025

Yes: 70 • No: 23

House vote • 3/5/2025

HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 17 • No: 6

House vote • 2/25/2025

HOUSE DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 294

    4/28/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/24/2025

    4/28/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/24/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/16/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/14/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/10/2025House

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

    4/8/2025House

  8. H. concurred in S. am. no. 1 Ayes 73, Nays 22 PNV 0 HB1237

    4/7/2025House

  9. H. Placed on Message Calendar 4/7/2025

    4/3/2025House

  10. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/31/2025Senate

  11. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0137)

    3/31/2025Senate

  12. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 6

    3/31/2025Senate

  13. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/13/2025Senate

  14. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/11/2025House

  15. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0053)

    3/10/2025House

  16. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/10/2025House

  17. Passed H., as am., Ayes 71, Nays 23, PNV 0

    3/10/2025House

  18. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/10/2025

    3/6/2025House

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

    3/5/2025House

  20. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/6/2025

    3/5/2025House

  21. Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/5/2025

    2/26/2025House

  22. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee

    2/25/2025House

  23. Placed on s/c cal Departments & Agencies Subcommittee for 2/25/2025

    2/19/2025House

  24. P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee

    2/12/2025House

  25. Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee

    2/12/2025House

Bill Text

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