Tennessee House Bill HB1298

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Filed/Introduced: 8/16/26
• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 7, relative to the establishment of a higher education scholarship program for students who demonstrate artistic excellence in spoken word poetry.

Summary

HB1298 creates the “Speak UP, Tennessee Scholarship Act,” directing the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) to adopt rules for a new scholarship program for students who demonstrate artistic excellence in spoken word poetry. The program would be open to students in grade 12 and students enrolled in public institutions of higher education in Tennessee, and recipients would be selected through a competitive, performance-based process. The stated purpose is to help students pursue higher education while further developing their literary and performance skills. The scholarships could be funded through legislative appropriations, grants, and private donations. The act takes effect upon becoming law and is intended to apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 7 by adding a new scholarship program administered by TSAC, and it would also affect higher education-related provisions in Title 49, Chapter 7. It does not create a general entitlement to aid; instead, it authorizes TSAC to establish eligibility, selection, and administration rules for a specialized scholarship tied to spoken word poetry achievement. The practical impact would be to expand state scholarship offerings and potentially direct public, grant, and private funding toward a narrow arts-focused student population.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, there is no documented debate or formal voting record to indicate strong support or opposition. The measure appears to be framed positively as an educational and arts-support initiative, with an emphasis on student opportunity and talent development. Because no discussion excerpts are provided, the overall sentiment can only be characterized as neutral-to-supportive from the bill’s purpose and structure.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues that could arise from the bill’s design include whether state funds should support a highly specialized scholarship, how TSAC would define and evaluate “artistic excellence” in spoken word poetry, and whether the program should rely on appropriations, private donations, or both. Any disagreement would likely center on funding priorities, selection criteria, and the narrowness of the eligible student group.