2020 Legislation

TSEA’s 2020 Legislative Agenda bills

(This list includes legislation initiated and/or supported by TSEA)

Due to the unexpected circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and our economy, many of our legislative agenda bills were not heard by both legislative bodies. This outcome was the case for almost every bill in the legislative system. The final status of the bills in our legislative agenda is listed below. (Bills with an * were heard by one or both houses during the final weeks of the legislative session.)

SB621/HB644

Proceedings against state employees

Sponsors: Sen. Hensley, Joey; Rep. Hill, Timothy

Cosponsors:  Rep. Dunn, Bill; Rep. Griffey, Bruce; Rep. Hawk, David; Rep. Ogles, Brandon; Sen. Yager, Ken.

Summary: Requires a state agency in any proceeding to suspend, terminate, or discipline an employee in state service to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the employee violated state law or a rule or policy of the agency prior to taking such action.

Senate Status: 06/2/20 – Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 12/1/2020.

House Status: 02/20/20 – Held on House clerk’s desk.


SB689/HB900

Longevity pay for employees of the executive branch

Sponsors: Sen. Jackson, Ed; Rep. Sparks, Mike

Cosponsors: Sen. Bailey, Paul; Rep. Byrd, David; Rep. Calfee, Kent; Rep. Dixie, Vincent; Rep. Hawk, David; Sen. Hensley, Joey; Rep. Hill, Matthew; Rep. Hill, Timothy; Rep. Holt, Andy; Rep. Howell, Dan; Rep. Johnson, Gloria; Rep. Keisling, Kelly; Rep. Leatherwood, Tom; Sen. Massey, Becky; Rep. Moody, Debra; Rep. Moon, Jerome; Sen. Niceley, Frank; Rep. Russell, Lowell; Sen. Southerland, Steve; Rep. Staples, Rick; Sen. Swann, Art; Rep. VanHuss, James

Summary: Restores longevity pay for employees of the executive branch in the service of the state hired after June
30, 2015.

Senate Status:  03/17/20 – Action deferred in Senate State & Local Government Committee.

House Status: 06/10/20 – Placed on subcommittee calendar Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 6/15/2020.


SB741/HB1207

Provision of childcare for state employees

Sponsors: Sen. Kyle, Sara; Rep. Mitchell, Bo

Summary: Authorizes state agencies to provide childcare services for state employees, with the department of human
services tasked to approve, administer, and coordinate such services. Requires
cost of childcare services be offset by fees, requires providers be selected by
competitive contract.

Senate Status: 06/2/20 – Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 12/1/2020.

House Status: 05/28/20 – Taken off notice for calendar in subcommittee Public Service & Employees Subcommittee of State Committee.


*SB1578/HB1615

Funeral expenses for correctional employees

Sponsors: Sen. Dickerson, Steven , Rep.
Hulsey, Bud 

Cosponsors: Sen. Crowe, Rusty; Rep. Griffey, Bruce; Rep. Hurt, Chris; Sen. Jackson, Ed; Sen. Massey, Becky; Sen. Robinson, Katrina; Sen. Rose, Paul; Sen. White, Dawn; Sen. Yager, Ken; Sen. Yarbro, Jeff.

Summary: Authorizes the department of correction to contribute state funds toward the funeral expenses of any correctional employee killed in the line of duty. 

Senate Status: 06/19/20 – Senate concurred in House amendment 3 (018832).

House Status: 06/18/20 – House passed amended version of bill.


*SB1723/HB1821

Increases retirement benefits for state employees

Sponsors: Sen. Kyle, Sara; Rep. Hodges, Jason

Cosponsors: Sen. Robinson, Katrina

Summary: Equally increases retirement benefits for currently retired state employees when current state employees receive compensation increases. Broadly captioned

Senate Status: 01/23/20 – Referred to Senate State & Local Government Committee.

House Status: 01/27/20 – Referred to House Public Service & Employee Subcommittee.


*SB1752/HB1801

Pensions and Retirement Benefits

Summary: Specifies that a state correctional officer who is a member of the state retirement system is eligible for early service retirement after attaining 25 years of creditable service.

Senate status: 06/17/20 – Senate concurred in House amendment 1.

House status: 06/17/20 – House passed amended version of bill. 


*SB1773/HB2045

Increases maximum matching retirement amount required by the state

Sponsors: Sen. Briggs, Richard; Rep. Hicks,
Gary

Cosponsors: Rep. Lamberth, William

Summary: Increases the maximum amount of money per month the state is required to match for employees’ optional
retirement plans from $40 to $75. Broadly captioned.

Senate Status: 03/16/20 – Re-referred to Senate Calendar Committee.

House Status: 06/03/20 – House passed amended version of bill.


SB2544/HB2882

Pension transfer bill

Sponsors: Sen. Roberts, Kerry; Rep. Weaver, Terri

Summary: Authorizes any member of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) to obtain creditable service for previous participation in a local government’s retirement system. Requires the local government to transfer all employee and employer contributions made on behalf of the member, together with regular interest thereon.

Senate Status:  03/17/20 – Action deferred in Senate State & Local Government Committee.

House Status: 05/28/20 – Taken off notice for calendar in subcommittee Public Service & Employees Subcommittee of State Committee.


For live-streaming committee hearings, calendars, and other legislative information, visit the Tennessee General Assembly’s website here:

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/