It was another busy week at the legislature, both for legislation we are working to advance and for bills we are monitoring. Here are this week’s updates:
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Bereavement Leave Expansion (SB1285/HB1312)
Bill Passed | Signed by Governor
Senate: Signed by Senate Speaker on 3/18/2025 (Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0 – 3/10/2025)
House: Signed by House Speaker on 3/19/2025 (Passed H., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 1 – 3/17/2025)
Legislative Intent: The legislation expands bereavement leave for state employees as follows:
- 3 days of paid leave for death of a sibling, grandparent, grandchild, foster parent, or parent-in-law
- 5 days of paid leave for the death of a parent or stepparent
- 10 days of paid leave for the death of a spouse, child, or stepchild
TSEA Notes: We are pleased to announce the passing of the bereavement leave expansion bill for state employees. Both speakers and the governor have now signed the legislation.
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Paid Leave for Fostering a Minor Child (SB0938/HB0957)
Senate: Referred to Senate State and Local Government Committee, 2/12/2025
House: Assigned to s/c Public Service Subcommittee, 2/11/2025
Legislative Intent: To support state employees with up to 6 weeks of paid leave, if they become a foster parent to a minor.
TSEA Notes: There is no activity scheduled on this bill this week. We continue to work with other advocacy groups to push for the passage of this legislation. Last year, the bill advanced through all committees but failed on the House floor. There remains some uncertainty from legislators, but we are working to address those concerns in hopes of securing passage this year.
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Eliminating Barriers to Higher Education for students with intellectual disabilities (SB1151/HB0789)
Senate: Referred to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
House: Placed on s/c cal Higher Education Subcommittee for 3/26/2025
Legislative Intent: To further support students with intellectual disabilities by eliminating the requirement of the STEP UP scholarship that the student must be admitted to, and enrolled in, an eligible postsecondary institution in an eligible postsecondary program no later than 16 months after completing high school.
TSEA Notes: The House Higher Education Subcommittee on 3/12 placed this bill on a special lottery calendar. The House committee will hear the bill next week on Wednesday, 3/26/2025 @ 12:00 p.m. CDT. Additionally, House Education Chairman, Rep. Mark White, and UT Knoxville’s Rep. Sam McKenzie signed onto the bill as co-prime sponsors. The Senate Education Committee on 3/19 passed the bill on to Senate Finance. The bill is not yet on the calendar in Senate Finance.
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Paid Leave for Family Caregivers (SB0322/HB0915)
Senate: Referred to Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee
House: Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/26/2025
Legislative Intent: Similar to SB938/HB957, this legislation grants an eligible employee leave of up to six (6) workweeks for an employee to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Leave may be taken on a reduced schedule or intermittently, as provided under FMLA.
TSEA Notes: The House State and Local Government Committee on 3/19 rolled this bill one week. This bill is now scheduled in the same committee on Wednesday, 3/26/2025 @ 1:30 p.m. CDT. The Senate State and Local Gov. Committee on 3/18 passed the bill on to Senate Finance. The bill is not yet on calendar in Senate Finance.
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TEAM Act Clarifications (SB1006/HB1067)
Bill taken off notice
Senate: Taken off notice.
House: Taken off notice.
Legislative Intent: To create a mechanism to hold all parties involved in the appeal process accountable, whether for meeting timely or for the repayment of costs associated with the review/decision of an employee’s discipline. And, clearly define “extraordinary circumstances” and provide criteria for extensions without requiring both parties’ agreement.
TSEA Notes: After many discussions with the Department of Human Resources (DoHR), we decided to move forward with an administrative approach to addressing the issues the legislation was meant to resolve. As a result, we asked our bill sponsors to take the bill off notice.
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Retiree Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Cap Removal (SB1157/HB1296)
Bill failed in subcommittee
Senate: Referred to Senate State and Local Government Committee, 02/12/2025
House: Failed in s/c Public Service Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee
Legislative Intent: Remove the TCRS cap of 3% COLA adjustment for retirees so that when the State has a good fiscal year and inflation rises above 3%, the state can increase the COLA adjustment beyond 3%.
TSEA Notes: Early on during this legislative session, the Joint Council on Pensions issued a negative recommendation on this bill, largely due to the bill’s fiscal note. This week, the bill failed in the s/c Public Service Subcommittee of the State & Local Government Committee. While we anticipated this outcome, especially after the negative recommendation, we’re encouraged to have started the conversation with legislators and appreciate the research and advocacy efforts of our TSEA members. We will continue discussions with all stakeholders as we formulate our next steps.
CLICK HERE to view the Fiscal Note for SB1157/HB1296
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Other bills we are monitoring
State Employee Pay Period (SB1278/HB0108)
Bill Passed | Awaits Governor’s Signature
Senate: Signed by Senate Speaker on 3/19/2025 (Passed Senate, Ayes 29, Nays 0 3/10/2025)
House: Signed by House Speaker on 3/19/2025 (Passed H., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 2 02/24/2025)
Legislative Caption: State Employees – As introduced, requires the pay period for state employees be no less than twice per month as determined by the commissioner of finance and administration; removes the requirement that the pay period be semimonthly. – Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 23, Part 2.
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Commissioner’s Compensation Plan for Correctional Officers Report (SB1201/HB1090)
Senate: Referred to Senate State and Local Government Committee, 02/12/2025
House: Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/26/2025
Legislative Caption: Correction, Dept. of – As introduced, requires the commissioner of correction to file the annual report on the commissioner’s compensation plan for correctional officers with the general assembly by February 1 of each year. – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.
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Establishment of Early Child Care and Education Division (SB1378/HB1238)
Senate: Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/26/2025
House: Reset on Final cal. of K-12 Subcommittee (3/11/25)
Legislative Caption: Education – As introduced, creates the division of early child care and education within the Department of Education. – Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49.
TSEA Notes: In its current form, TSEA does not support this legislation. We are actively working with DHS in opposition.
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.
Lobby Day
Our 2025 Lobby Day will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Nashville, TN. Registration for Lobby Day is now closed.
With the legislative session expected to wrap up in mid-to-late April, we are preparing for Lobby Day on April 8. Our key advocacy priorities will focus on:
- Restoring longevity pay for all state employees
- Increasing the state’s 401(k) match from $50 to $100
We look forward to seeing everyone next month!
Representative Assembly
Our 2025 Representative Assembly will be held May 29–31, 2025, at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, TN.
Start planning your chapter’s delegate participation!
- Delegate counts will be sent soon.
- Registration materials will be sent in early April.
Deadline to register: Monday, May 5, 2025 (includes attendance, lodging, and annual leave). Registration information coming soon.
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.
