Tennessee Senate Bill SB1468

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/30/25
• Engrossed: 2/12/26
• Enrolled: 4/29/26
• Passed: 5/22/26
• Chaptered: 5/27/26

Caption

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

Summary

SB1468 designates the Tennessee Army National Guard armory located in McNairy County as the “Brigadier General Donald F. Hawkins Army National Guard Armory.” The bill is a commemorative naming measure intended to honor Brigadier General Donald F. Hawkins for his long service to the Tennessee Army National Guard, the State of Tennessee, and McNairy County. The bill also directs the Department of Military to erect or affix suitable signage or markers identifying the armory by its new honorary name, using existing resources. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 5, by adding a new section specific to this armory designation.

Impact

The bill makes a narrow change to Tennessee law by adding a new statutory designation for a specific National Guard armory in McNairy County. It does not alter eligibility, operations, funding, or duties of the National Guard generally, but it does require the Department of Military to install signage or markers from existing resources to reflect the honorary naming.

Sentiment

The available legislative record shows strong, unanimous support for the bill. It passed the Senate State & Local Government Committee 9-0, the Senate floor motion to adopt 32-0, and final passage 91-0, indicating broad agreement and little to no opposition. The bill’s tone is ceremonial and appreciative, centered on recognizing military service and local pride.

Contention

There is no notable substantive contention reflected in the bill text or voting history. The measure appears to be a noncontroversial honorary naming bill, with support likely driven by recognition of Brigadier General Hawkins’s distinguished military career and his connection to McNairy County. Any practical issue is limited to the directive that the Department of Military use existing resources for signage, but no opposition is recorded.