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TennesseeHB 2194114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9, relative to public institutions of higher education.

Sponsored By: Jason Zachary (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education, Higher

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New tenure and discipline rules at state colleges

At institutions under the board of regents or a state university board, tenure and discipline are kept separate. Tenure is not a punishment, and tenured and non‑tenured faculty use the same discipline process with due process. Campus leaders keep authority to discipline for cause. Before suspension or firing for misconduct, the school must give written notice and a chance to be heard by the chief academic or chief executive officer; that officer alone makes the decision, with no faculty vote. Boards may deny tenure for performance, qualifications, or institutional needs, separate from any discipline case. The law also repeals two related code parts and limits earlier “for cause” language to actions before July 1, 2026. These rules apply beginning July 1, 2026, for the 2026–2027 school year and after.

University of Tennessee campuses: new tenure and discipline rules

The UT board sets rules for granting and removing tenure and must keep tenure decisions separate from discipline. UT must use the same discipline process for tenured and non‑tenured faculty and provide due process. Campus leaders keep authority to discipline for cause. Before suspension or firing for misconduct, faculty get written notice and a chance to be heard by the chief academic or chief executive officer, who makes the final decision without a faculty vote. The UT board may deny tenure for performance, qualifications, or institutional needs, separate from discipline. These rules start July 1, 2026.

Public colleges must post free speech rules

Public Tennessee colleges and universities must adopt and post policies that protect free speech and institutional neutrality. Schools must promote civil discourse and allow all viewpoints to be expressed with respect. For adopting these policies, the law takes effect upon becoming law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jason Zachary

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rush Bricken

    Republican • House

  • Aron Maberry

    Republican • House

  • Kevin D. Raper

    Republican • House

  • Michele Reneau

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 185 • No: 51

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/23/2026

Yes: 25 • No: 5

House vote • 3/9/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/9/2026

Yes: 70 • No: 21

House vote • 3/9/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/9/2026

Yes: 72 • No: 21

House vote • 3/3/2026

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 13 • No: 3

House vote • 2/18/2026

HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 5 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026

  2. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2026House

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/1/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    3/24/2026House

  6. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/23/2026Senate

  7. Passed Senate, Ayes 25, Nays 5

    3/23/2026Senate

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/12/2026Senate

  9. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/10/2026House

  10. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0586)

    3/9/2026House

  11. Passed H., as am., Ayes 70, Nays 21, PNV 1

    3/9/2026House

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/9/2026House

  13. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/9/2026

    3/5/2026House

  14. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/5/2026

    3/4/2026House

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

    3/3/2026House

  16. Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/3/2026

    2/25/2026House

  17. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Education Committee

    2/18/2026House

  18. Placed on s/c cal Higher Education Subcommittee for 2/18/2026

    2/11/2026House

  19. P2C, ref. to Education Committee

    2/5/2026House

  20. Assigned to s/c Higher Education Subcommittee

    2/5/2026House

  21. Intro., P1C.

    2/4/2026House

  22. Filed for introduction

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

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