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TN SB1915
TN SB1915AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 58, relative to public benefits.
summary
Introduced
01/21/2026
01/21/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
03/30/2026
03/30/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, 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 the attorney general and reporter to investigate violations of requirements for verification of citizenship or presence for public benefits; requires certain reporting related to such verification for benefits. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 58.
AI Summary
This bill expands the requirement for verifying an applicant's U.S. citizenship or lawful presence to include local governments, such as counties and cities, when they administer public benefits, which are programs providing assistance to individuals. The Attorney General and Reporter is authorized to investigate any credible claims that local governments or local health departments are not complying with these verification rules, and can take action to withhold state funds from non-compliant entities. Furthermore, all state and local government entities, along with local health departments, will be required to submit monthly reports detailing individuals found to be ineligible for benefits due to their immigration status and those whose benefits were terminated as a result, and to report such individuals to the state's centralized immigration enforcement division, with failure to do so by an employee being a Class A misdemeanor. These new provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (9)
Ed Jackson (R)*,
Paul Bailey (R),
Janice Bowling (R),
Joey Hensley (R),
Paul Rose (R),
John Stevens (R),
Brent Taylor (R),
Bo Watson (R),
Dawn White (R),
Last Action
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk. (on 04/02/2026)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1915&ga=114 |
| Amendment 1-0 to SB1915 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/SA0739.pdf |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0739 (15237) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM2536.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - HB1710 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/HB1710.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB1915.pdf |
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