Tennessee Senate Bill SB0649

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2 and Title 49, Chapter 2, relative to recall elections for members of local boards of education.

Summary

SB0649 is a narrow election-law bill concerning local boards of education. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-213, by deleting subsection (e), which means the bill removes an existing statutory provision related to recall elections for members of local boards of education. Because the bill consists of a single substantive change, its effect is limited to the legal framework governing how members of local school boards may be subject to recall. The bill does not create a new recall process in the text provided; rather, it eliminates the referenced subsection from current law and takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill would directly amend Title 49, Chapter 2 of the Tennessee Code by striking subsection (e) from Section 49-2-213, thereby changing the statutory rules governing recall elections for local board of education members. Any procedures, rights, or limitations contained in that subsection would no longer be part of state law after enactment. The measure could affect local school board members, local election administrators, and voters in jurisdictions where recall provisions apply.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented debate or vote history to indicate support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears technical and targeted rather than expansive, with its purpose limited to removing a specific statutory provision. The absence of discussion materials means the overall sentiment cannot be reliably assessed from the available record.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the policy choice to eliminate recall-election language for local school board members. Supporters might view the change as a clarification or a removal of an unnecessary or problematic provision, while opponents could see it as reducing voter accountability over elected school board officials. However, because no committee discussion or vote record is included, no specific arguments or named stakeholders can be identified from the available materials.