Tennessee House Bill HB1164

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/26/25
• Refer: 4/8/25
• Chaptered: 5/13/25
• Passed: 5/13/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38 and Title 58, relative to military decorations.

Summary

HB1164 amends Tennessee law to allow uniformed law enforcement personnel to wear military decorations, medals, service medals, or badges from the U.S. armed forces, the Tennessee National Guard, or the State Guard during the week before Veterans Day and Memorial Day, on those holidays, and the day after each holiday. The bill applies specifically to uniformed officers and is framed as a limited holiday observance measure honoring military service. The bill also gives an employer the authority to prohibit the wearing of these decorations if the employer determines they would create a safety hazard for the officer or the public. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting the legislature’s view that the measure serves the public welfare.

Impact

The bill adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1, creating a statutory exception that permits certain military decorations to be worn by uniformed law enforcement personnel during specified Veterans Day and Memorial Day observance periods. It does not broadly change law enforcement uniform rules statewide, but it does create a new legal allowance subject to employer safety-based restrictions. The measure affects law enforcement agencies, officers who are veterans or otherwise eligible to wear such decorations, and agency administrators responsible for uniform and safety policies.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received very positively and without controversy in the legislative process. It moved through subcommittee and committee unanimously and passed the House on consent calendar with 96 yeas and no nays, indicating broad bipartisan support. The lack of recorded opposition or committee debate suggests the measure was viewed as a respectful, low-conflict recognition of military service.

Contention

There was little visible contention around the bill. The only substantive policy limitation is the employer’s authority to prohibit the decorations if they pose a safety hazard, which balances ceremonial recognition against operational concerns. Any potential concern would likely come from law enforcement agencies or administrators focused on uniform standards, safety, or equipment interference, but the available record shows no organized opposition or recorded debate on those issues.