In 2022, Tennessee became the first state to make camping on public land a felony crime. A slate of new legislation will further impact people without stable housing.
Tennessee lawmakers adjourn after passing bans on DEI initiatives
Tennessee’s Republican-led Legislature adjourned its monthslong lawmaking session on Tuesday by passing a final flurry of bills, including ones aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion in governments.
Tennessee won’t deny public schooling to students without legal status — for now
A state review found the bill could’ve jeopardized more than $1 billion in federal education funding if enacted, as it violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Given the potential loss, House leadership paused consideration of the bill after it passed the Senate earlier this month.
How one Tennessee foster care kid helped enshrine rights for the next generation
The statehouse voted unanimously to pass the Foster Care Youth Bill of Rights, guaranteeing certain rights for all kids in foster care.
Nonprofits that find housing for undocumented immigrants will face new legal risks
A new Tennessee law would open organizations to lawsuits if people they have help house go on to commit a crime.
Tennessee lawmakers vote to ban most cannabis products, despite protest from local businesses
Tennessee retailers will soon have to take their most popular hemp products off the shelves, after the Tennessee General Assembly passed a measure that would ban a key ingredient.
TN passes $60 billion budget, slashes money for starter homes, boosts funding for state AG
The Tennessee General Assembly approved a $60 billion budget Wednesday, as federal funding cuts put a large portion of that money at risk.
Who is backing Tennessee’s wetland deregulation effort?
Developers may soon face fewer environmental regulations when they build on Tennessee wetlands.
Tennessee Senate passes measure to challenge federal education rights for undocumented students
A measure to challenge the right to an education for undocumented students narrowly passed the Tennessee Senate, 19-13, to the outrage of protesters inside and outside of the chamber.
Chattanooga school principals decry bill to deny undocumented students an education
They oppose a bill that would allow K-12 schools to refuse students based on their immigration status.
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