Tennessee Senate Bill SB1890

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/26
• Engrossed: 3/2/26
• Enrolled: 4/1/26
• Passed: 4/14/26
• Chaptered: 5/5/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to the history of communism.

Summary

SB1890 amends Tennessee education law to require the State Board of Education, beginning with the next adoption of social studies academic standards, to include grade-appropriate standards on the history of communism. The required standards must cover the history of communism in the United States and domestic communist movements, tactics used by communist movements, atrocities committed under communist regimes abroad, and comparative discussion of communism and totalitarianism in relation to freedom and democracy. The bill also directs instruction to address the perceived threat of communism during the twentieth century, including the Cultural Revolution in China and other mass killings under communist governments, as well as the economic, industrial, and political conditions that preceded communist revolutions. It further requires coverage of communist policies in Cuba and the spread of communist ideology in Latin America, including the roots of the Communist Party of Cuba and guerrilla forces in the region.

Impact

The bill adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 3, thereby changing the state’s social studies standards framework. Its practical effect is to require the standards recommendation committee and the State Board of Education to incorporate specific content on communism into future academic standards, which would then shape curriculum guidance for Tennessee public schools. The bill affects the state education system, curriculum developers, teachers, and students by mandating instruction on a defined historical and ideological topic.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally strong support for the bill, with the Senate Education Committee recommending passage 9-0 and the final passage vote succeeding 71-18. However, the record also shows a substantial vote against an amendment on third consideration, indicating some disagreement over the bill’s final form or scope. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed favorably by a majority of lawmakers, but not without notable opposition.

Contention

The main points of contention appear to be the bill’s ideological framing and the breadth of required content. Supporters likely viewed the measure as a way to ensure students learn about the history and harms of communism, while opponents may have objected to language emphasizing the “increasing threat” of communism and the inclusion of politically charged comparisons to freedom, democracy, and totalitarianism. The failed amendment vote suggests at least some legislators sought to modify the bill before passage, though the specific amendment language is not provided.