SB1915Introduced in the Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 58, relative to public benefits.
Introduced by Edward Jackson, District 25
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
As enacted, adds local governments to the entities that must verify that each applicant for public benefits is a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States; authorizes certain investigations of violations of requirements for verification of citizenship or presence for public benefits; requires certain reporting related to such verification for benefits; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 58.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026
May 27, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 · April 22, 2026
24
Yes
6
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
30 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lowe | 1 | Yes |
| Tom Hatcher | 2 | Yes |
| Rusty Crowe | 3 | Yes |
| Robert Harshbarger | 4 | Yes |
| Becky Massey | 6 | Yes |
| Richard Briggs | 7 | Yes |
| Jessie Seal | 8 | Yes |
| Steve Southerland | 9 | Yes |
| Todd Gardenhire | 10 | No |
| Bo Watson | 11 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
Sponsor(s) Added.
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 3 PNV 0
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0739)
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
Sponsor(s) Added.
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Subst. for comp. HB.
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0929)
Failed to adopt, Ayes 22, Nays 70, PNV 0
Passed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 21, PNV 0
Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
Concurred, Ayes 24, Nays 6 (Amendment 1 - HA0929)
Sponsor(s) Added.
Enrolled and ready for signatures
Signed by Senate Speaker
Signed by H. Speaker
Transmitted to Governor for action.
Signed by Governor.
Pub. Ch. 1106
Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026
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