Tennessee Senate Bill SB0165

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Engrossed: 4/21/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 26, relative to human resource agencies.

Summary

SB0165 amends Tennessee law governing human resource agencies by revising the state’s matching contribution schedule for local human resource boards. The bill states that once a board is created and local governments agree to contribute through a per-capita assessment, the state may match those local contributions at specified annual amounts based on the local assessment level: $295,000 for 1–20 cents per capita, $340,000 for 21–30 cents per capita, and $370,000 for 31 cents per capita and above. In practical terms, the bill updates the funding formula for these agencies and clarifies the state’s financial commitment to support the delivery of human resources services to residents. It does not create a new program or change eligibility rules for services; rather, it adjusts the statutory appropriation structure tied to local participation and funding levels. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 26, Section 13-26-107(c), affecting the statutory framework for human resource agencies and their state-local funding relationship. It increases or standardizes the state match amounts associated with local per-capita assessments, which may affect budget planning for local governments, human resource boards, and the state treasury. The change is primarily fiscal and administrative, with implications for agencies that rely on this funding model to provide services to residents.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad support and little to no opposition. It passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee unanimously, passed the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee unanimously, and then passed the floor vote 33-0. The voting history suggests a favorable view of maintaining or strengthening funding for human resource agencies.

Contention

There is no recorded committee testimony or visible floor debate in the provided materials, and the votes were unanimous at each stage, indicating minimal public contention. Any potential point of discussion would likely center on the level of state matching funds and the fiscal impact on the state budget, but no specific objections or competing viewpoints are reflected in the available record.