This week, TSEA continued meeting with legislators, distributing materials, and working to advance legislation in support of our legislative agenda.
There wasn’t significant movement during the week on the bills we support, but the Bereavement Leave Bill (SB1285/HB1312 – Johnson/Lamberth) has been scheduled for committee consideration next week in both the Senate and House.
- Senate: Placed on the Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
- House: Placed on the Public Service Subcommittee calendar for 3/5/2025
This bill seeks to expand the state’s bereavement leave policy, providing more leave for employees who lose certain family members.
HB 789 has started to receive attention. This bill would remove the requirement that a student with a documented intellectual disability must be admitted to and enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months of completing high school to qualify for the Tennessee STEP UP scholarship.
TSEA has actively engaged legislators to highlight how this change will benefit students with intellectual disabilities by allowing more flexibility for college enrollment. This issue was brought to TSEA by a state employee whose daughter was unable to qualify for the Tennessee STEP UP scholarship due to the requirement that students enroll within 16 months after high school.
Senate and House Finance Committee Budget Hearings
TSEA attended the Senate and House Finance Committee Budget Hearings this week, where lawmakers reviewed state spending priorities, agency operations, and funding challenges.
As part of a broader presentation, the Department of Finance and Administration briefed the Senate committee on cost increases for Strategic Technology Solutions (STS) and efforts to upgrade outdated technology, expand cloud storage, and implement AI solutions across state agencies. The presentation highlighted the investment needed to modernize state systems and enhance digital infrastructure. You can view the Dept. of Finance and Administration’s presentation through this link.
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) updated the House Finance Committee on staffing challenges. While recent pay increases have helped attract new applicants, vacancies remain a concern. Lawmakers and TDOC leadership discussed ongoing efforts to improve workplace conditions, enhance retention strategies, and address security challenges, including preventing contraband. You can view TDOC’s presentation through this link.
A note on budget findings regarding Higher Ed salary increases
Unlike previous years, this year’s budget does not include a consolidated section outlining the total funding pool for higher education salary increases. Instead, allocations are listed separately for each institution. TSEA is actively working to gather details on the budget’s intent, methodology, and potential funding percentages to better understand how salary pools were determined for each institution. That information is not as clearly outlined in the current budget document as in past budgets.
Legislative Bills
CLICK HERE for the lastest update to legislation we are working to advance as part of our 2025 legislative agenda.
Additional bills may be added to this list as the legislative session progresses.
TSEA’s 2025 Legislative Agenda
- Supporting 6 weeks of paid leave if an employee becomes a foster parent to a minor child.
- Permanently increase the 401K match to $100.
- Initiate clarifications to the TEAM Act.
- Removing the TCRS cap of 3% to aid in more adequate COLA adjustments for retirees, when state funding is better.
- Expand funding for students with intellectual disabilities.
- Restore Longevity.
Additional items:
- Higher Ed: Work with state higher education institutions to standardize definitions and ensure the inclusion of professional staff in grievance policies across all public colleges and universities.
- Continue supporting the funding of market research/studies for employee pay increases.
Other Concerns Being Researched:
- Compression from salary range movement.
- Unfair hiring practices within some departments in state government.
- Contracting Practices
- Implementation of TDOT’s EPIC (Empowering People Influencing Culture) and hazardous pay via activity codes.
Important Links to Bookmark
- Legislative Schedules and Calendars: Stay updated on session schedules and access livestream links by visiting the Legislative Schedules and Calendars page.
- Find Your Elected Legislator: Use your address to locate your representatives here.
- House Members Directory: View the full list of House members.
- Senate Members Directory: View the full list of Senate members.
- Bills We’re Advancing or Monitoring: Stay informed about legislation we’re supporting or tracking by visiting the 2025 Legislation page.
- Legislative Updates: Access our weekly insights and highlights as they are published here.
- TSEA Historical Legislative Accomplishments: CLICK HERE to view TSEA’s Historical Legislative Accomplishments and complete Lobby Record.
Lobby Day
Our 2025 Lobby Day will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Nashville, TN. Information was sent to chapter officers this week. Officers, check your inbox for registration details.
If you are not a chapter officer and are interested in attending Lobby Day, please contact your chapter for more details (your field rep can put you in contact with your local chapter leadership).
Don’t know your field rep and/or chapter information? Visit the chapter page on our website and select the county where you live using the dropdown box to learn your chapter and for your field rep’s contact information. https://tseaonline.org/chapters/
Northeast Legislative Breakfast
TSEA is excited to announce we are holding the Northeast Regional Legislative Breakfast in Elizabethton on Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Our regional legislative events allow TSEA members to hear directly from their state legislators in person and in their own communities. These events allow our members priority access to their state elected officials outside their hectic state legislature schedules.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
TSEA’s Northeast TN Legislative Event
Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025
9:00 a.m.
Elizabethton TCAT
426 Highway 91 North
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Questions about the Northeast Legislative Breakfast?
CLICK HERE to email Bryan Merritt
