2021 Legislation

TSEA’s 2021 Legislative Agenda bills

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

SB0361 | HB0954  

Burden of Proof

Sponsors: Sen. Hensley, Rep. Littleton

Cosponsors: Sen. Yager

Summary: Requires a state agency in a 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: 3-23-2021 – Failed in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

House Status: 3-31-2021 – Returned to the Clerk’s Desk


SB0516 | HB1016  

Match on 401(k)

Sponsor: Sen. Briggs, Rep. Hicks 

Summary: Increases from $40 to $50 the minimum amount that the state will match to an employee’s optional retirement plan

Senate Status: 4-22-2021 – Companion House Bill substituted

House Status: 5-4-2021 – Transmitted to Governor for his action


SB0022 | HB1114

Child care authorization

Sponsor: Sen. Kyle, Rep. Leatherwood

Cosponsor: Sen. Gardenhire, Rep. Cooper

Summary: Requires the Department of Human Services to approve, administer, and coordinate child care services for the children of state officers and employees

Senate Status: 5-4-2021 – Public Chapter 238

House Status: 5-4-2021 – Companion became Public Chapter 238


SB1520 | HB1540

Pension Transfer

Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Rep. Weaver

Summary: Allows any member of the Tennessee consolidated retirement system to obtain creditable service for prior service while a participating member of a city, metropolitan government, or county retirement system

Senate Status: 5-3-2021 – Transmitted to Governor for action

House Status: 4-27-2021 – Companion Senate Bill Substitute


SB0402 | HB0414

Restore Longevity for all

Sponsor: Sen. Jackson, Rep. Sparks

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

Senate Status: 2-10-2021 – Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

House Status: 2-10-2021 – Passed on Second Consideration, refer to State Government Committee; Assigned to subcommittee Public Service Subcommittee


SB1601 | HB1205

Increase to 401(k)

Sponsor: Sen. Bailey, Rep. Lamberth

Summary: Replaces the name of the “consolidated retirement board” with “board of trustees of the consolidated retirement system,” for purposes of the Tennessee consolidated retirement system

Senate Status: 5-3-2021 – Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

House Status: 5-3-2021 – Taken off notice for calendar in subcommittee Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee