Tennessee House Bill HB1526

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/26
• Refer: 1/14/26
• Refer: 2/9/26
• Refer: 2/18/26
• Refer: 3/11/26
• Refer: 3/17/26
• Chaptered: 4/27/26
• Passed: 4/27/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 1, relative to the national guard.

Summary

HB1526 is a commemorative naming bill that designates the Tennessee Army National Guard armory on U.S. Highway 321 in Maryville as the "CSM William O. Gregory National Guard Armory." The bill honors Command Sergeant Major William Gregory for his long military career and service to Tennessee, including service in the U.S. Army, the Tennessee Army National Guard, and as a full-time technician and senior enlisted leader before his retirement in 1992. The measure also directs the Department of Military to erect or affix appropriate signs or markers identifying the armory by the new honorary name, using existing resources. It does not create a new program or benefit; instead, it amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 58, Chapter 1 by adding a new section establishing the designation and signage requirement.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 5 by adding a new section that formally renames a state military facility in Maryville. Its practical legal effect is limited to the honorary designation of the armory and the associated signage directive, with no change to eligibility, benefits, or operational authority of the National Guard. The Department of Military must implement the signage from existing resources, so the bill has a minimal fiscal and administrative impact.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been received very positively in committee, passing each recorded House committee stage unanimously or near-unanimously with no recorded opposition. The discussion history provided is limited, but the pattern of votes suggests broad bipartisan support for honoring a veteran and National Guard leader with a facility naming. The bill ultimately passed and was approved by the governor, indicating consensus around the commemorative purpose.

Contention

No notable substantive opposition appears in the available record. Because the bill is a naming and designation measure, any potential concerns would likely have centered on the use of existing departmental resources for signage or on the appropriateness of the honor, but the unanimous committee votes suggest those issues were not contentious. The only procedural note reflected in the votes is that the bill moved through multiple committees and subcommittee review before advancing.