Tennessee Special Session Adjourns
Education Freedom Act and immigration enforcement among legislation passed
(Nashville, Tenn) January 30, 2025 - In a special session called by Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee lawmakers passed timely legislation to establish statewide school choice, provided critical relief and support for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, and set up the framework to assist President Trump with his commitment to enforce federal immigration law and remove criminal aliens from the nation.
Lawmakers approve statewide school choice in special session
During the special session, lawmakers passed Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Act of 2025, expanding Tennessee’s school choice initiative statewide. This landmark legislation ensures that families across the state have the opportunity to choose the educational path that best fits their child’s needs. It establishes a scholarship program, allowing parents to direct their tax dollars toward private school tuition while continuing to support public schools and teachers.
“This special session scored a great victory for parents and students in Tennessee,” said Lt. Governor Randy McNally. “Finally, parents across the state have a true choice in education. No longer will students be trapped by circumstance and geography. Everyone knows that one size fits all does not work in education. Now more students in our state will have an opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
"The passage of the Education Freedom Act in this special session marks the culmination of years of dedicated efforts by Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), the Senate sponsor of the bill. “I am proud to have supported this impactful legislation, which empowers Tennessee parents with the freedom to make the best educational choices for their children, regardless of their zip code."
The Education Freedom Act of 2025 includes:
● 20,000 scholarships for Tennessee students starting in the 2025-26 school year
○ 10,000 reserved for students at or below 300% of income qualifying for free or reduced price lunch, have a disability, or are eligible for the existing ESA program
● Ensures state funding to school districts will never decrease due to disenrollment
● Scholarship amounts equal to the per pupil base funds allocated to public school students each year - $7,075 as of the most recent school year
○ Funds will be deposited into an account to be used for tuition, fees and other qualified education expenses
● 350+ private schools eligible to voluntarily receive Education Freedom Scholarships as Category I-III schools
○ Schools will maintain their independence and educational freedom, preventing unnecessary government overreach while expanding school choice for families
● 5,000 additional scholarships with universal eligibility added each year after 75% of total scholarships are taken in the prior year to ensure controlled, fiscally responsible program growth
The new law also provides significant investments in Tennessee’s public schools and teachers including:
● $2,000 bonus for every teacher in the state
● 80% of all sports wagering dollars dedicated to building and maintaining K-12 public school facilities
The General Assembly and Gov. Lee will maintain their commitment to public schools by further
investing hundreds of millions of state dollars in the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula and raising starting teacher pay during the regular legislative session.
“In Tennessee, we value our teachers and appreciate the important work they do to educate the next generation,” added Johnson. “This bonus is part of our ongoing commitment to raising teacher pay statewide, and we will continue working to increase salaries during the regular session.”
Education Funding
Lawmakers appropriated $424.2 million towards education in the special session. Senate Bill 6005 allocates:
● $145.9 million for Education Freedom Scholarships (the General Assembly previously appropriated $144.2 million in the 2024 legislative session)
● $198.4 million for teacher bonuses
● $77.2 million for K-12 infrastructure from existing sports wagering revenue
● $2.7 million for administrative costs
Major legislation to improve immigration enforcement passes in Tennessee special session
Comprehensive bill strengthens public safety, enhances immigration law enforcement
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson) led passage of a comprehensive immigration enforcement bill in the Tennessee Senate this week as part of a special session called by Governor Bill Lee.
“With the passage of this legislation, Tennessee leads the nation in fighting illegal immigration,” said Johnson. “It puts Tennessee in the best position to work with President Trump and federal agencies to enforce immigration laws and remove dangerous illegal immigrants from Tennessee communities. I appreciate Governor Lee and my colleagues in the General Assembly for their commitment to the rule of law and improving public safety.”
“In Tennessee, we are willing to step up and coordinate with the federal government to uphold the rule of law and protect our communities,” said Watson. “Our local law enforcement officers and agencies are on the front lines every day. This bill provides them with the additional training, equipment, and resources they need to enhance enforcement of federal immigration laws quickly and successfully. It also ensures responsible use of taxpayer dollars and efficient government efforts.”
The legislation builds upon federal efforts of the Trump Administration to secure the nation’s borders and restore public safety. It strengthens cooperation between state, local, and federal authorities, increases support for law enforcement, and enforces accountability in immigration laws. Key provisions of the legislation include:
Creation of the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED): Establishes a dedicated division within the Department of Safety, led by a Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer (CIEO), appointed by the governor. The CIEO will coordinate directly with the Trump administration to implement federal immigration policies efficiently.
Immigration Enforcement Grant Program: Provides grants to local governments participating in the federal 287(g) program, which assists in the enforcement, detention, and removal of illegal immigrants. These grants will help fund training, operational costs, and local law enforcement initiatives.
Enhanced State-Issued ID Standards: Prevents misuse of state-issued IDs for voting by incorporating distinct markers on state-issued IDs for non-U.S. citizens. The legislation restricts permanent state-issued IDs to U.S. citizens while allowing temporary IDs for legal residents. This change ensures that only individuals with permanent IDs are eligible to vote in Tennessee elections.
Strengthened Sanctuary City Ban Enforcement: Imposes a Class E felony charge on local officials who adopt or maintain sanctuary city policies in violation of state law. Additionally, the Tennessee Attorney General is empowered to initiate removal proceedings against officials found guilty of violating these provisions.
Hurricane Helene Relief
In September 2024 Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in nine counties across Northeast Tennessee, claiming 18 lives. The storm destroyed 500 homes, damaged another 538 and displaced thousands. More than 13,000 Tennesseans have registered for individual assistance, including 5,207 affected households. In addition, Unicoi County Hospital and Hampton High School were torn apart by the storm.
To provide much-needed relief to victims of Hurricane Helene and aid local governments of impacted counties, the General Assembly passed important legislation and funding in the special session.
“What affects one part of Tennessee affects us all,” said Lt. Governor Randy McNally. “Hurricane Helene was devastating for the people of East Tennessee and had long lasting effects. I am grateful our state acted not only to provide much-needed relief to those affected by Helene but has also taken steps to ensure help is more easily provided for similar disasters in the future.”
Funding recovery efforts
In total, lawmakers approved $470 million for recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene and future emergencies. Senate Bill 6005 allocates:
● $110 million to Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund
● $100 million to the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund
● $240 million to TEMA to reduce political subdivisions’ cost share obligations of the non-federal portion of disaster recovery costs
● $20 million for the reconstruction of Hampton High School in Carter County
"In just a few hours, natural disasters can unleash devastation that can take a lifetime to overcome," said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, (R-Franklin). "Sadly, this is the reality many in Upper East Tennessee are facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I am grateful that in this special session we are able to provide critical relief and support to those affected and strengthen our preparedness for future disasters."
Property tax relief for Hurricane Helene victims
During Tennessee’s special session, the General Assembly passed legislation sponsored by State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) to provide property tax relief for victims of Hurricane Helene in Northeast Tennessee.
“This legislation will help those businesses and homeowners pay their property tax when their property has been damaged by Hurricane Helene,” said Crowe. “Hopefully this will ease the financial burden and also speed up the recovery efforts across communities. Many have lost everything and we need to do all we can to help ease the burdens they are facing. I am proud that Comptroller Jason Mumpower has worked hard with his State Board of Equalization staff to find the best way forward to help those in need.”
Under the new law, property tax relief is available to owners of residential and most business properties if the following conditions are met:
● The property is located in a county included in the FEMA disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
● The property was verified by the local property assessor as damaged by Hurricane Helene on or before January 28, 2025.
To receive the property tax relief, the necessary documentation must be submitted to the Comptroller’s office by June 30, 2025.
The relief payments will cover the amount of property tax levied, plus an additional 30%. While the payments provide critical financial support, they do not exempt recipients from their tax obligations or applicable deadlines. Instead, they offer property owners the means to fulfill their tax responsibilities to local governments.
Additionally, the legislation streamlines the process for local governments to provide mutual aid during imminent threats or disaster recovery. It shifts the authority to approve mutual aid from the full governmental entity to the chief executive officer, enabling faster and more efficient responses in times of crisis.
Recovery funds for Hurricane Helene and future emergencies
The General Assembly also passed Senate Bill 6003, sponsored by Leader Johnson, which creates two disaster relief funds to support ongoing recovery efforts and allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies. It establishes the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund which allocates $110 million to help local governments manage loan interest for recovery costs by covering interest costs at 5% per year for three years on loans for recovery expenses. It also creates the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund which provides $100 million for a new program inspired by the HEAL Program that will provide flexible financial resources for future emergencies, including agricultural recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery efforts.
Unemployment relief during a state of emergency
To ensure those receiving unemployment benefits are not unduly burdened in a state of emergency by unemployment requirements, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 6004, sponsored by Johnson. It allows the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to provide relief by allowing the ability to waive requirements as needed for claimants seeking unemployment benefits in areas affected by a declared emergency. It also clarifies Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s (TEMA) statutory authority to assist with disaster recovery on public property at the request of local jurisdictions.
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