TennesseeSB 1888114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 46, Chapter 6, relative to state veterans' cemeteries.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Cemeteries

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More veterans qualify for fee-free cemetery burial

Effective upon becoming law in 2026, Tennessee allows state veterans' cemetery burial for people eligible under federal law. Reserve and Army or Air National Guard members also qualify with discharge or release under honorable conditions and eight total years of honorable service. A call-up on state orders removes the eight-year minimum, but the honorable service and discharge requirements remain. Federal law governs eligibility for their spouses, surviving spouses, minor children, and dependent incapacitated children. Federal burial bans still apply. The department charges no burial fee for eligible veterans or reserve or Guard members, their most recent spouses, or qualifying minor or dependent incapacitated children.

Clearer burial paperwork for veterans protects funding

The department must accept NGB Forms 22, 438, and 439; DD Forms 214, 256, 256AF, and 257; and the latest discharge orders. It must also accept other official documents meeting federal requirements for proof of service and discharge status. The department cannot apply the cemetery rules in ways that risk federal money for cemetery construction, expansion, or operations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Becky D. Massey
Republican • Senate
Powers
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/13/2026

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/7/2026

Yes: 94 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 2/23/2026

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Effective date(s) 04/27/2026
5/5/2026
Pub. Ch. 839
5/5/2026
Signed by Governor.
4/27/2026Senate
Transmitted to Governor for action.
4/17/2026Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/16/2026House
Signed by Senate Speaker
4/16/2026Senate
Enrolled and ready for signatures
4/15/2026Senate
Concurred, Ayes 33, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0737)
4/13/2026Senate
Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/13/2026
4/10/2026Senate
Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/7/2026House
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0737)
4/7/2026House
Subst. for comp. HB.
4/7/2026House
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
2/26/2026House
Sponsor(s) Added.
2/24/2026Senate
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
2/23/2026Senate
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
2/23/2026Senate
Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 2/23/2026
2/20/2026Senate
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
2/17/2026Senate
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
2/10/2026Senate
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
2/2/2026Senate
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
1/22/2026Senate
Filed for introduction
1/21/2026Senate

Bill Text

HA0737 (Substitute)
4/7/2026
PDF
Enrolled / Public Chapter
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
Introduced
PDF

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