To view our most recent Legislative Update, visit: http://tseaonline.org/category/legislative-updates/https://old.tseaonline.org/category/legislative-updates/
Here are bill numbers for key legislation we are monitoring or working to advance. For the most up to date status on a bill, click the hyperlinked bill number immediately below the title of the bill.
As a reminder, Livestreams and videos of legislative meetings and activities are accessible on the legislative calendar page at this link: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/schedule/
—
Burden of Proof – PASSED
HB2172 – Lamberth, Gant, Hawk | SB2422 – Johnson, Briggs
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 655 – 03/23/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 3/15/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 2/28/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0 – 2/28/2022
Summary: As introduced, replaces “list of eligibles” with “pool of candidates” for purposes of filling positions in state service; revises various procedures regarding proceedings against state employees.
Notes: After several years of negotiating with the Lee Administration, a compromise has been reached and is reflected in the language of this bill. There are several improvements that benefit state employees involved in the appeal process but most important is that the burden of proof will be the responsibility of the appealing party at the third and final step.
—
DCS caseloads – PASSED
HB2163 – Lamberth, Gant, Vital | SB2413 – Johnson, Jackson
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 711 – 04/04/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 3/18/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 3/7/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0 – 3/7/2022
Summary: As introduced, specifies that the average caseloads of case managers must be calculated at least monthly.
Notes: TSEA is watching closely as this bill works through committees. We want to make sure it will have a positive impact on DCS Commissioner Nichols’ ability to accurately report average caseload numbers.
—
Higher Education – Grievance Procedures on website – PASSED
HB2568 – Ragan | SB2666 – Bell
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 891 – 04/26/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 4/14/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 87, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 3/28/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0 – 3/7/2022
Summary: As introduced, requires each institution governed by the board of regents, a state university board, or the board of trustees for the University of Tennessee to make the grievance procedure for the institution’s support staff employees available on its website.
—
Higher Education – Grievance Procedures on website (2) – PASSED
HB2249 – Vaughan | SB2392 – Stevens
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 845 – 04/25/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 4/20/2022
House: Passed H., as am., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 3 – 4/4/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 3 – 4/6/2022
Summary: As introduced, requires each institution governed by the board of regents or a state university board to make the grievance procedure for the institution’s support staff employees available on its website.
—
State Parks Funding Act – PASSED
HB2168 – Lamberth, Gant | SB2418 – Johnson, Southerland, Walley
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 921 – 05/2/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 4/20/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 1 – 4/11/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0 – 3/21/2022
Summary: As introduced, enacts the “State Parks Funding Act of 2022.”
—
Pensions and Retirement Benefits (correction to 2021 pension transfer bill) – PASSED
HB2450 – Weaver | SB2812 – Roberts
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 797 – 4/13/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 4/8/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 3/21/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0 – 3/7/2022
Summary: As introduced, authorizes a member of the Tennessee consolidated retirement system to purchase, instead of obtain, retirement credit for all of the member’s previous service rendered while a full-time employee and participating member of a political subdivision’s defined benefit retirement plan; authorizes the member to use funds from any source to purchase such retirement credit; makes other related revisions.
Notes: This bill is a correction to the pension transfer bill from last year that could not be implemented due to a conflict with federal law.
—
TCRS administration system upgrade – PASSED
HB2273 – Williams | SB2152 – Hensley
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 780 – 4/13/2022
Signed by Gov. Lee – 4/8/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 3/21/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0 – 3/7/2022
Summary: As introduced, allows the retirement system to procure goods and services for a pension administration system that may replace the system currently in existence, subject to appropriation made in the general appropriations act.
Notes: This bill seeks to upgrade the states concord system for TCRS
—
Relative Caregiver Program – PASSED
Status:
Became Pub. Ch. 785 – 04/13/2022
Signed by Governor – 04/08/2022
House: Passed H., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 1, 3/24/2022
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0, 3/03/2022
Summary: As introduced, outlines a relative caregiver program for foster care; authorizes the department to implement an extension of the foster care program to provide services to youth transitioning from state custody to adulthood.
—
Correctional Teacher Pay – PASSED | Waiting on signatures of Lt. Gov and Gov (as of 5/4)
HB0846 – Sherrell, Cooper | SB1599 – Bailey, Yager
Status:
House: Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 4/27/2022, (Signed by H. Speaker – 5/4/2022)
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0 – 4/27/2022
Summary: As introduced, requires the board of control of the Tennessee corrections institute to maintain a list of correctional teachers that includes their academic background and qualifications to teach.
Note: Funding for this has not been included in the Governor’s budget. TSEA is working with the sponsors and Department of Corrections to add it to the supplemental budget that will be announced later this session or in a legislative budget amendment.
Fiscal note combining salary and benefits required is almost $3 million.
—
TCRS Credit for Veterans who have served in conflict since the Vietnam War – PASSED | Waiting on signatures of Lt. Gov and Gov (as of 5/4)
HB1852 – Boyd, Griffey | SB2057 – Haile
Status:
House: Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 4/18/2022, (Signed by H. Speaker – 5/4/2022)
Senate: Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0 – 4/27/2022
Summary: As introduced, allows TCRS members who served in the armed forces during certain periods of armed conflict to establish retirement credit for the military service under certain conditions.
—
Funding for expanded TCRS military service credit – PASSED | Waiting on signatures of House Speaker, Lt. Gov and Gov. (as of 5/11)
HB2382 – Boyd | SB2326 – Haile
Status:
House: Passed H., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 4/27/2022
Senate: Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0, 4/27/2022
Summary: As introduced, for purposes of determining which members receive payment of retirement service credit, defines the term “legacy plan” as the Tennessee consolidated retirement system established in the present law, but excluding the Hybrid Retirement Plan for State Employees and Teachers.
—
Renaming the Health Services and Development Agency – PASSED | Waiting on signatures of House Speaker, Lt. Gov and Gov. (as of 4/27)
HB2500 – Boyd | SB2466 – Reeves
Status:
House: Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0 – 4/27/2022
Senate: Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0 – 04/27/2022
Summary: As introduced, renames the health services and development agency as the health facilities commission
Note: TSEA has been monitoring this legislation and it’s effect on members in the Department of Health that will be affected. We are in contact with Logan Grant, Executive Director of the Health Services and Development Agency as well as the sponsors of the bill Rep. Clark Boyd and Sen. Shane Reeves (Murfreesboro). The agency is holding informational meetings across the state, and we encourage you to attend. This year’s legislation is in conjunction with legislation that was passed last year which already establishes the new agency.
—
TCRS Taskforce Bill – PASSED | Waiting on signatures of House Speaker, Lt. Gov and Gov. (as of 5/11)
HB2572 – Dogget, Littleton, Sherrell, Griffey | SB2872 – Bailey, Pody, Walley
Status:
House: Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 1, PNV 0 – 4/27/2022
Senate: Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 29, Nays – 4/14/2022
Summary: As introduced, for purposes of computing the number of years of creditable service in the Tennessee consolidated retirement system, requires that a member who is employed as a law enforcement officer receive an additional, automatic credit of one year of service for every four years of creditable service the member has earned. (Bill in the process of being amended to create a TCRS Taskforce, see note below)
Note: Over the last few years, multiple bills regarding commissioned officers’ mandatory retirement and post-retirement insurance have been brought before the legislature. With current economic conditions and changes in the workforce, more bills came forward this year which brought the legislature to the conclusion that a task force needed to be established to identify and standardize the TCRS benefit and post-retirement insurance to be fair to all these groups. Senator Paul Bailey ( Sparta) and Representative Clay Doggett (Pulaski) championed this legislation and allowed their bill to be amended to create the necessary task force. TSEA will be monitoring the progress of the task force.
—
TDOC Salary Increase – taken off notice
HB2339 – Windle | SB2345 Yager
Status:
House: Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee – 4/26/2022
Senate: Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee -3/15/2022
Summary: As introduced, increases wages and salaries of preferred service employees of the department by 15 percent.
—
Essential Employee TCRS Credit for Service During Covid – taken off notice
HB1658 – Russell, Griffey, C. Johnson | SB1805 – Massey, Jackson, Swann, Pody
Status:
House: Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee – 4/26/2022
Senate: Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee – 4/26/2022
Summary: As introduced, establishes COVID-19 essential employee retirement service credit for members of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and participants in the state’s hybrid retirement plan.
—
Paid Leave (5 days) to care for minor child due to COVID-19 sickness or school closure – Failed in House
HB2723 – Miller, Parkinson, Camper | SB2672 – Kyle
Status:
House: Failed to pass H., Ayes 44, Nays 38, PNV 4 – 4/28/2022
Senate: Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6 – 4/20/2022
Summary: As introduced, grants state employees up to five days of leave to care for a minor child that is required to stay home as the result of a COVID-19 infection or school closure; prohibits counting such leave from against the employee’s accumulated sick or annual leave.
Note: If passed this bill will not be retroactive and will await a lengthy policy, procedure, and rule making process before taking effect.