PRIA Logo™
TennesseeSB 1368114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to higher education.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Annual tuition caps for in-state undergraduates

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission must review public college tuition and fees each year and set two maximum increases. One caps tuition increases; the other caps increases in tuition plus all mandatory fees. These caps cover undergraduates classified as Tennessee residents, and colleges cannot exceed them. The Commission can set separate caps when an institution's needs justify them; the law sets no specific percentages. College boards still set tuition for nonresident undergraduates and all graduate students, and colleges can reduce charges. Policy changes are barred if the Board of Regents believes they could harm compliance or future borrowing under state school bond agreements.

More oversight of public college budgets

Changes to the state's results-based college funding formula must go to Senate and House education and budget committees before taking effect. The committees review the changes and make recommendations. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission must also establish a formal process for campus building and other capital needs. Institutions submit annual project lists, and the Commission submits qualifying projects for the Governor and lawmakers to consider in the annual budget. Projects are grouped by workforce needs, research, urgent or other campus priorities, and building renovation or better use. These rules do not change funding amounts or guarantee project funding.

State guidance on affordable career training

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission must develop and evaluate statewide efforts to improve education access and career readiness. These efforts must inform Tennesseans about affordable education, training, skills, and credentials tied to state workforce needs. The law does not guarantee enrollment or provide a set payment to individuals.

Credential requirements limit qualifying training programs

Under the affected state education rules, qualifying programs must lead to an industry certification, registered apprenticeship, occupational license, or certificate. Professional development, continuing education, exam preparation, and similar programs do not qualify. These limits determine which programs count for eligibility tied to those rules.

State approval required for college expansion

Public colleges need state review and approval to establish an off-campus presence or offer credit-bearing courses at new locations. This includes turning an administrative site into a teaching site and also covers Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Before developing a proposal for a new or expanded out-of-state site, the governing board must file a notice of intent. Each year by February 15, the Commission must report prior-year notices and application status to legislative education and fiscal committee chairs. The Commission can delegate approval powers to its executive director and must set policies and procedures for the process.

College leader searches balance privacy and disclosure

Covered leadership searches include public college presidents and chancellors, the University of Tennessee system president, and the higher education commission's executive director. Records identifying candidates generally stay confidential when candidates expressly request privacy. The general finalist rule defines finalists as at least three candidates; their records must be public at least 15 calendar days before the appointment vote. At least one public forum with each finalist must occur at least 7 calendar days before the vote. For specified positions, search committees can recommend up to three candidates, and boards must also hold an initial public meeting. Appointment votes must be public, but records protected by other state or federal laws remain confidential.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 0

House vote • 3/27/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/27/2025

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/24/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/24/2025

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 04/11/2025

    4/30/2025

  2. Pub. Ch. 186

    4/30/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/11/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/1/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 95, Nays 0, PNV 0

    3/27/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0103)

    3/27/2025House

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/27/2025House

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

    3/27/2025House

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/24/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    3/24/2025Senate

  14. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0121)

    3/24/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/24/2025

    3/21/2025Senate

  16. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/12/2025Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/12/2025

    3/5/2025Senate

  18. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  19. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  20. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation