All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 126
TennesseeSB 1915114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 58, relative to public benefits.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Immigration
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Benefits continue during checks, but can end
Beginning July 1, 2026, agencies must treat required verification documents as proof of eligibility until final checks arrive. They cannot delay federal, state, or local benefits solely because final verification is pending. If final checks show the applicant is neither a U.S. citizen nor a qualified alien, recurring benefits must end. The agency must also pursue applicable enforcement action.
Adult benefit applicants face status checks
Beginning July 1, 2026, covered Tennessee agencies must check citizenship or lawful presence for public-benefit applicants age 18 or older. This covers state agencies, local governments, and local health departments, unless federal law bars the check. Local governments must add related notices and information requirements at their first covered form reprint or system update after that date. Covered systems include electronic and automated phone systems. Agencies must keep copies of submitted documents under their own recordkeeping rules; the law sets no retention period.
Agencies must report recipients without lawful status
Beginning July 1, 2026, covered state and local agencies must report benefit recipients who are not lawfully present. Reports go to the Department of Safety's centralized immigration enforcement division and must include all identifying information. Federal law can bar reporting; an exception also applies when federal SNAP reporting is required under 7 C.F.R. § 273.4(b)(1). The Department of Children's Services is exempt from sharing information that directly or indirectly identifies a child or family receiving services. An employee or official who knows a recipient lacks lawful status and intentionally fails to report commits a Class A misdemeanor.
Local agencies face stronger benefit enforcement
Beginning July 1, 2026, benefit-fraud rules also cover local governments. Covered agencies must complain to the state attorney general when someone conspires to secure a false benefit claim for another person. Recovered money belongs to the complaining agency and funds only enforcement; interest stays in the fund and carries forward. The attorney general may investigate credible complaints that a local government or local health department violated these rules. After finding a violation, the office may use the statutory process to withhold all state funds, including shared taxes, grants, contracts, and statutory allocations.
Some benefits and work privileges stay exempt
Beginning July 1, 2026, benefits listed in 8 U.S.C. § 1621(b) are excluded from Tennessee's public-benefit rules. Certain rights to practice a profession or occupation through interstate licensing agreements are also excluded. That exclusion applies only when Tennessee's licensing agency does not need to act to allow the person to practice.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Paul Bailey
Republican • Senate
Janice Bowling
Republican • Senate
Rusty Crowe
Republican • Senate
Todd Gardenhire
Republican • Senate
Tom Hatcher
Republican • Senate
Joey Hensley
Republican • Senate
Paul Rose
Republican • Senate
Stevens
Affiliation unavailable
Brent Taylor
Republican • Senate
Bo Watson
Republican • Senate
White
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/22/2026
Yes: 24 • No: 6
House vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026
Yes: 73 • No: 21
House vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026
Yes: 73 • No: 20
House vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 2 BY JONES J AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026
Yes: 22 • No: 70
Senate vote • 3/30/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/30/2026
Yes: 26 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Yes: 6 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026
5/27/2026Pub. Ch. 1106
5/27/2026Signed by Governor.
5/22/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
5/11/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/30/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/30/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
4/24/2026SenateConcurred, Ayes 24, Nays 6 (Amendment 1 - HA0929)
4/22/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
4/21/2026SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 21, PNV 0
4/21/2026HouseFailed to adopt, Ayes 22, Nays 70, PNV 0
4/21/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0929)
4/21/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/21/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
4/2/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/30/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
3/30/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
3/30/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0739)
3/30/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
3/27/2026SenateRecommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 3 PNV 0
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
3/11/2026SenateSponsor(s) Added.
2/18/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
2/2/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
1/22/2026Senate
Bill Text
HA0929 (Substitute)
4/21/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA1220
Introduced
SA0739
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