Tennessee Senate Bill SB1562

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/26
• Engrossed: 3/26/26
• Enrolled: 4/27/26
• Passed: 5/22/26
• Chaptered: 5/27/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 58, Chapter 7, relative to the Tennessee state veterans' homes board.

Summary

SB1562 makes a narrow organizational change to Tennessee law governing the Tennessee state veterans' homes board. It removes the board from the list of state entities subject to automatic repeal under Tennessee’s sunset review provisions in Title 4 and adds the board to the list of entities that continue in existence, thereby preserving the board as an ongoing state body. The bill also requires the Tennessee state veterans' homes board to report back to the education, health, and general welfare joint evaluation committee by December 31, 2026, on its progress addressing findings and observations from a December 2025 performance audit by the division of state audit. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting the legislature’s intent to keep the board operating without interruption while ensuring follow-up on audit recommendations.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 29 by deleting the Tennessee state veterans' homes board from the list of entities scheduled for repeal and by adding it to the list of entities that are continued in law. It also creates a reporting obligation in Title 58, Chapter 7 for the board to update a legislative oversight committee on audit-related corrective actions. The practical effect is to preserve the board’s statutory existence and maintain legislative oversight of its operations and compliance efforts.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been viewed favorably and without controversy. It passed the Senate Government Operations Committee unanimously and later passed both chambers on the floor with no recorded dissent, indicating broad bipartisan support for continuing the board and requiring a follow-up report on audit findings.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive opposition in the available record. The only notable point of discussion implied by the bill text is whether the Tennessee state veterans' homes board should remain subject to sunset review or instead be continued as an ongoing entity. The reporting requirement tied to the December 2025 audit suggests a concern for accountability and implementation of audit recommendations, but no specific objections or competing viewpoints are reflected in the votes or available committee materials.