Tennessee Senate Bill SB1021

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Engrossed: 3/16/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 14; Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9, relative to higher education.

Summary

SB1021 makes a narrow change to Tennessee’s higher education statutes by updating a disclosure-related provision in Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-1804(f). The bill adds the General Assembly to the list of entities that may receive information under that subsection, alongside the department of safety. In practical terms, the measure appears to expand the authorized recipients of certain higher education-related information or reports, rather than creating a new program or broad policy change. Although the bill amends a higher education title and chapter references, its operative effect is limited to a single sentence in existing law. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting the legislature’s view that the change is straightforward and not dependent on a delayed implementation period.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-1804(f) to include the General Assembly among the entities referenced in the statute, thereby changing who may be included in the distribution or access to the information governed by that subsection. This affects state higher education administration and any institutions or agencies subject to the reporting or disclosure requirements in that provision, but it does not appear to alter funding, governance structure, or student eligibility rules.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests strong and largely unanimous support for the bill. The Senate Education Committee recommended passage with amendment by a 9-0 vote, and the Senate floor later passed the measure 32-0 on third consideration. No committee transcript is available, but the recorded votes indicate the bill was viewed as noncontroversial and technical in nature.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention around SB1021. The only notable point is the addition of the General Assembly to the statute, which may reflect a desire for legislative access to information previously directed only to the department of safety. Because no committee discussion transcript is available and the bill passed unanimously in committee and on the floor, no organized opposition or competing policy positions are apparent from the record provided.