2018 End of Session Outcomes
The Tennessee state legislature adjourned last week, closing the final chapter of the 110th General Assembly. Lawmakers now return to their districts, where work gears up for a busy campaign season prior to the August primaries. 2018 is expected to be a record year in legislative turnover, with 27 members of the Tennessee General … Continued
Legislation Would Transfer the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute to UT’s Institute for Public Service
HB2198/SB1842 by Rep. Tilman Goins (R-Morristown) and Sen. Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) would transfer the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute (TFLI) to the UT Institute for Public Service, making a number of organizational changes and renaming the entity “The Tennessee Language Center.” The move would make the entity an official part of the University of Tennessee. Under … Continued
Governor’s “Complete to Compete” Legislation Advances in Senate; Calendared for House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee Next Week
Consideration of the Haslam Administration’s “Complete to Compete” initiative, aimed at ensuring HOPE scholarship and Tennessee Promise recipients remain on track for timely graduation, is calendared for the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Monday, April 9. The House and Senate versions of the bill currently contain significant differences. The legislation advanced this week in … Continued
“Transparency in Higher Education Act” Passes House Floor; Awaits Senate Floor Vote
HB2230/SB2180 passed on the House floor this week with a significant amendment that re-writes the bill, effectively alleviating concerns previously voiced by universities across the state. The bill, as amended, requires Tennessee’s public colleges and universities to post to their websites information regarding parents’ rights to student records under the federal Family Educational Rights and … Continued
Omnibus Student Due Process Legislation Heads to House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
Legislation sponsored by Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) and Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) dealing with student due process rights will be heard in the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee next week. The measure stems from a Student Due Process Task Force appointed by Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) in 2016, and represents positive change for both students … Continued