A bill restricting the use of cell phones in Tennessee schools has been signed into law by Governor Bill Lee. The law requires schools to restrict children from using electronics during class time. There are exceptions to the “no phones in the class” rule, such as allowing students with disabilities to use them for learning …
A bill allowing interest rates to increase to 36% at certain money-lending places is now headed to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. The bill would allow any amount of $100 or more to have an effective annual interest rate of 36%. The bill passed in the Senate along party lines, but in the House, a …
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, and West Star Aviation, LLC officials have announced that the company will expand manufacturing at its Chattanooga operations. West Star Aviation will create 200 new jobs through the project and invest nearly $32 million in Hamilton County. Gov. Lee stated, “West …
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed over $1 billion for road projects to address a $30 billion backlog, surpassing what gas taxes and fees can cover. His budget includes nearly $1 billion in one-time state tax funds and plans to shift $80 million annually from the tire sales tax. This follows a similar $3 billion shift …
The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives have passed Gov. Bill Lee’s statewide expansion of school vouchers, otherwise known as the “Tennessee Education Freedom Act of 2025.” The legislation was passed after hours of debate on both sides of the issue during a speedy four-day special session on vouchers, disaster relief, and immigration enforcement. The …
As communities in Northeast Tennessee continue to experience significant impacts from Hurricane Helene, Governor Bill Lee provided another update on the State of Tennessee’s ongoing multi-agency response. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Actions An expedited Major Disaster Declaration has been granted for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. Damage assessments remain in …
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that would require a court to order domestic violence offenders to wear a GPS device in the state. HB2692/SB1972 would require the offender to wear the GPS device unless they no longer pose a threat to the alleged victim or public safety. The bill was signed by the …
A new law in Tennessee will take effect on July 1. The so-called “abortion trafficking” act makes it a crime for any adult to recruit, harbor or transport a minor to abort a child or to obtain abortion chemicals for an underage individual without the consent of their parents. Violation of this law is a Class A misdemeanor …
On Tuesday, Gov. Bill Lee signed into law that requires domestic violence offenders who use a weapon or strangle their victims during an assault to wear a GPS monitor while out on bail. The Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act is named after mother, Debbie Sisco, and daughter, Marie Varsos, who were killed by Varsos’ …
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has officially signed the legislation that would allow school districts to permit teachers to conceal carry on school grounds. The measure, which garnered significant backlash from teachers and parents—including Covenant families—ultimately passed along party lines despite repeated attempted amendments proposed by Democrats. According to the amended bill, teachers would be able …
