All Roll Calls
Yes: 176 • No: 9
TennesseeHB 2533114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 5, Chapter 21; Title 8, Chapter 50, Part 8; Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 14; Title 49, Chapter 11, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 11, Part 8; Title 49, Chapter 13; Title 49, Chapter 15, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 16, Part 2; Title 49, Chapter 17; Section 49-2-203; Title 49, Chapter 3, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 5, Part 4; Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 10; Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 16; Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 18; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 15; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 22; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 23; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 34; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 42; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 81; Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 2; Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 3 and Section 68-204-110, relative to education.
Sponsored By: William Lamberth, William (Republican)
Became Law
Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
More state rules now cover charters
An existing school rule in state law now also applies to public charter schools, not just LEAs. Charter schools follow the same requirement under that subsection.
Comptroller can shift school finance control
After a hearing, the Comptroller can remove a county education department from the county financial system if leaders fail to keep records, follow accounting rules, or file reports. The Comptroller sends written notice to the county’s presiding officer. The county must move enough money to keep financial services running under the county director of schools.
Program timeline moves to 2027–2028
The law shifts a program year from 2026–2027 to 2027–2028. This delays the program by one school year.
Teacher leave counts; reimburse by year-end
If you are a licensed teacher, principal, or supervisor, time on paid or unpaid leave counts as full‑time for the state licensure employment rule. Reimbursement requests tied to that leave must reach the state education department in the same fiscal year the leave happened. Late requests can be denied.
Stronger checks for school contractors
Starting July 1, 2026, new or renewed contracts that put workers with students or on school or child‑care grounds must follow background‑check rules. The law expands coverage to LEAs, public charters, training schools at colleges, and child care programs. One completed check can count across different schools if the worker stays with the same company. School and college boards must set background‑check policies; once Tennessee joins FBI Rap Back, they can require fingerprint checks and get ongoing alerts. Child care programs funded by DHS may use DHS screening rules. The law also clarifies that the TCRS‑participating employer is the responsible employer for retirement purposes.
Independent boards, livestreams, and firm protections
The State Board and the commission are attached to the Education Department only for support. They stay independent, and the Commissioner cannot supervise them. The commission must livestream and archive its meetings on its website. The law bars the Commissioner from waiving core protections, like civil rights, health and safety, background checks, special education, and educator due process. A filing that once tracked the legislature’s adjournment is now due each year by October 31. The act also deletes several outdated statutory clauses.
Summer and after-school funds prioritized
Schools must use these dollars first for after‑school mini‑camps, learning‑loss bridge camps, and summer‑learning camps. Any leftover money can pay for required tutoring. These funds must add to, not replace, other out‑of‑school programs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
William Lamberth, William
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mark Cochran, Mark
Republican • House
Dawn White, Dawn
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2026
Yes: 30 • No: 0
House vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026
Yes: 77 • No: 8
House vote • 4/16/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 29 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 3/30/2026
HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 3/25/2026
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Yes: 13 • No: 1
House vote • 3/10/2026
HOUSE K-12 SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pub. Ch. 1040
5/27/2026Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
5/27/2026Signed by Governor.
5/21/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/11/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026HouseReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/22/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/22/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0529)
4/22/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0809)
4/22/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0
4/22/2026SenateH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0876)
4/21/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 77, Nays 8, PNV 1
4/21/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/21/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/14/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026
4/14/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026
4/14/2026HouseRec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/8/2026HousePlaced on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/14/2026
4/8/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
4/1/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
3/30/2026HouseAssigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
3/30/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Government Operations Committee
3/25/2026HousePlaced on cal. Government Operations Committee for 3/30/2026
3/25/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0876
Introduced
SA0529
SA0809
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