Tennessee Senate Bill SB1995

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, relative to flag display protocols.

Summary

SB1995 amends Tennessee law governing flag display protocols by requiring the governor to proclaim a statewide day of mourning and order the state flag to be flown at half-staff over the state capitol when a current or former member of the General Assembly dies. The bill creates a specific, mandatory state response for the death of legislators and former legislators, tying the mourning period directly to flag-lowering at the capitol. The bill also includes a limitation: the governor is not required to take this action if the deceased member or former member had been convicted of a felony. The measure takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting an intent for prompt implementation of the new protocol.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-1-406, within Title 4, by adding a new subsection establishing a statutory duty for the governor in these circumstances. It affects executive branch ceremonial duties and state flag protocol, and it creates a new legal standard for when half-staff orders and statewide mourning proclamations must be issued for legislators and former legislators, with an exception based on felony conviction status.

Sentiment

The available vote history suggests the bill had support in the Senate State & Local Government Committee, where it was recommended for passage on an 8-0 vote. However, the floor vote was much closer, with 14 yeas and 15 nays at third consideration, indicating that while the concept of honoring deceased legislators had some support, the measure was ultimately controversial or lacked sufficient consensus on the floor.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be whether the state should be required to issue a formal mourning proclamation and half-staff order for all current and former legislators, and whether the felony-conviction exception is an appropriate limitation. The narrow floor vote suggests disagreement over the scope of the honor, the mandatory nature of the governor's duty, or the propriety of excluding certain individuals based on criminal history. No committee transcript is available to show specific arguments, but the voting pattern indicates the issue was more divisive in the full chamber than in committee.