All Roll Calls
Yes: 124 • No: 21
TennesseeHB 2542114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 50-7-303, relative to suitable work requirements.
Sponsored By: William Lamberth, William (Republican)
Became Law
Unemployment Compensation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Lower-paying jobs count as suitable work
Tennessee removes the rule that a job must pay a set percentage of your past wages to be suitable work for unemployment. Lower-paying jobs can now be labeled suitable. If you refuse suitable work, you can lose unemployment benefits. This change takes effect immediately.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
William Lamberth, William
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Rush Bricken, Rush
Republican • House
Mark Cochran, Mark
Republican • House
Michele Reneau, Michele
Republican • House
Dawn White, Dawn
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/21/2026
Yes: 27 • No: 6
House vote • 3/12/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/12/2026
Yes: 70 • No: 15
House vote • 3/9/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE
Yes: 22 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
HOUSE BANKING AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pub. Ch. 1043
5/27/2026Effective date(s) 05/21/2026
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.
4/27/2026HouseSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/21/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 6
4/21/2026SenateReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
3/16/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 70, Nays 15, PNV 0
3/12/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/12/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
3/12/2026HouseObjected to on Consent Calendar.
3/9/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/12/2026
3/9/2026HouseH. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/9/2026
3/5/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
3/4/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/5/2026
3/4/2026HousePlaced on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/4/2026
2/25/2026HouseRec. for pass by s/c ref. to Commerce Committee
2/18/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee for 2/18/2026
2/11/2026HouseP2C, ref. to Commerce Committee
2/5/2026HouseAssigned to s/c Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
2/5/2026HouseIntro., P1C.
2/4/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
2/4/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
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