Tennessee Senate Bill SR0288

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Enrolled: 3/3/26
• Passed: 3/3/26

Caption

A RESOLUTION to confirm the appointment of Miles Burdine of Kingsport to the Tennessee board of regents.

Summary

Senate Resolution 288 confirms the appointment of Miles Burdine of Kingsport to the Tennessee Board of Regents for a term ending June 30, 2031. The resolution recites the statutory framework for the board and the Senate’s role in confirming gubernatorial appointees, then highlights Burdine’s background as President and CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, a retired Marine Corps colonel, and a participant on several state boards and commissions. The measure is a confirmation resolution rather than a policy bill, so it does not create new programs or change substantive education law. Its legal effect is to approve one gubernatorial appointment under Tennessee Code Annotated section 49-8-201, thereby filling a seat on the Tennessee Board of Regents, the body that helps govern the state’s public higher education system outside the University of Tennessee system. The appointment is for the First Congressional District and runs through June 30, 2031. The overall sentiment appears strongly favorable and noncontroversial. The resolution passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously 9-0 and then received a 32-0 floor vote to adopt, indicating broad bipartisan support or at least no recorded opposition. The bill text itself is complimentary, emphasizing Burdine’s public service, leadership, and commitment to education and workforce development. There is little visible contention in the available record. Because the resolution concerns a single appointment, any disagreement would likely have centered on the nominee’s qualifications or the governor’s selection authority, but no such objections appear in the committee or floor vote summaries. The unanimous votes suggest the Senate viewed the confirmation as routine and well supported.

Impact

SR0288 has a narrow procedural impact: it confirms a gubernatorial appointee to the Tennessee Board of Regents as required by Tennessee Code Annotated section 49-8-201. It does not amend statutes or alter higher education policy, but it does affect the composition of the board that oversees Tennessee’s public community colleges and colleges of applied technology, and more broadly influences governance of the state higher education system.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SR0288 is overwhelmingly positive and routine. The resolution was recommended for adoption unanimously in the Senate Education Committee and then adopted on the Senate floor by a 32-0 vote. The bill text itself is laudatory, portraying Miles Burdine as a qualified public servant with experience in business, education, workforce development, and military service.

Contention

No notable contention is reflected in the available materials. The only potential point of discussion is the Senate’s constitutional/statutory role in confirming the governor’s appointment to the Tennessee Board of Regents, but the recorded votes show no opposition. Any substantive concerns about the nominee’s background, regional representation, or policy views are not evident in the provided record.