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TennesseeSB 0933114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, to revise appointing authority for statutorily created entities.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Boards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tennessee trustees face service and attendance limits

Later University of Tennessee trustee appointments last six years, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Trustees can serve no more than two consecutive terms, including initial terms, successor terms, and terms filling vacancies. After two consecutive terms, they must wait four years after their last service before returning. Trustees lose their seats if they no longer meet an applicable grand-division or Tennessee legal-home requirement. Missing more than 50% of regular meetings in a calendar year is grounds for removal and a board request for a successor. This attendance rule excludes members who serve because of another office, such as the agriculture commissioner. The original appointing authority fills death or resignation vacancies for the remaining term, subject to required confirmation.

State university boards share appointment power

Each state university board has 12 members: 11 voting members and one nonvoting student. The final appointment structure gives the governor six voting appointments and each legislative speaker two. At least eight voting members must be Tennessee residents or nonresidents who significantly supported the university or its local community. Appointed members serve six-year terms, with no more than two consecutive full terms and a four-year break before returning. Governor- and speaker-appointed Tennessee State University board members must attend orientation seminars run by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

Tennessee board grows and shares appointments

The law expands the affected Tennessee higher education board from 19 to 21 members. The governor appoints ten public members: one from each congressional district and one at-large. The Senate and House speakers each appoint two at-large members. For specified seats, speakers choose successors when governor-appointed members’ terms expire on or after the law’s effective date.

Tennessee trustees share power and representation

The University of Tennessee board has 14 members, including the agriculture commissioner as a voting member and one nonvoting student. The governor appoints eight voting trustees; the Senate and House speakers each appoint two. Each speaker appoints one member on or after the law’s effective date and replaces a specified governor appointee whose term ends June 30, 2026. The governor must appoint at least two residents from each grand division and at least four University of Tennessee graduates. At least six appointed trustees must be Tennessee residents, based on their legal home. The governor and speakers must strive to include graduates from different University of Tennessee schools; graduates must have earned a degree.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Tom Hatcher

    Republican • Senate

  • Powers

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 106 • No: 22

House vote • 4/21/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2025

Yes: 75 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

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

Yes: 23 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 05/09/2025

    5/15/2025

  2. Pub. Ch. 452

    5/15/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/9/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/28/2025Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 75, Nays 17, PNV 0

    4/21/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0237)

    4/21/2025House

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/21/2025House

  11. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/3/2025House

  12. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/31/2025Senate

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/31/2025Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 23, Nays 5

    3/31/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/28/2025Senate

  16. Senate Reset on calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/27/2025Senate

  17. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0175)

    3/27/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/27/2025

    3/25/2025Senate

  19. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/19/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025

    3/12/2025Senate

  21. Refer to Senate Education Committee

    3/11/2025Senate

  22. Recalled from Senate Commerce & Labor Committee

    3/11/2025Senate

  23. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  24. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  25. Filed for introduction

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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