This week, lawmakers convened on Capitol Hill, in Nashville, for a Special Session called by Governor Bill Lee. The agenda included establishing statewide school choice, providing essential relief and support for those affected by Hurricane Helene, and creating a framework to aid President Trump in enforcing federal immigration laws and removing criminal aliens from the country.

Education Freedom Act

During the Special Session, lawmakers passed Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Act of 2025, expanding Tennessee’s school choice initiative statewide. This legislation ensures families across the state have the opportunity to choose the educational path that best fits their child’s needs.

Following the passage of this legislation, I issued the following statement:

“I’ve always been a proponent of parental choice and educational freedom, while keeping in mind our constitutional obligation to fund public education. Senate Bill 6001 empowers parents to select the educational path that best suits their child’s unique needs. Education is not a one-size-fits all endeavor. Each child has their own learning style and pace. While I acknowledge this legislation does have flaws – it serves as a starting point that can be refined over time. My primary focus has always been on protecting our rural school districts and ensuring they maintain their current funding level. This law guarantees no school will face a reduction in funding as a result of Education Freedom Scholarships. This safeguard means funding to school districts will remain stable, even in the event of student disenrollment.

Tennessee has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to public education, investing over $3.35 billion in the past decade alone. This includes the largest teacher pay increase in our state’s history in 2023, which an ambitious goal of establishing a $50,000 minimum starting salary for teachers by the 2026 – 2027 school year. During the Special Session, we also allocated $198.4 million for teacher bonuses and $62.7 million for K-12 infrastructure – reflecting our dedication to supporting educators and improving school facilities.

Additionally, this morning, I filed Senate Bill 602, although currently a caption bill, it will ensure teacher evaluations are reflective of only the students they have directly taught and not those who leave and return to the school district or transfer into the school district from out of State. I have discussed this legislation with both the Governor and Senate leadership and look forward to partnering with them in the upcoming weeks to pass this legislation in the General Assembly.

Together, we can create an educational landscape respecting both parental choice and the integrity of public education.”

Legislation to Improve Immigration Enforcement

The passage of Senate Bill 6002 builds upon federal efforts of the Trump Administration to secure the nation’s borders and restore public safety. It strengthens cooperation between state, local and federal authorities, increases support for law enforcement, and enforces accountability in immigration laws. Key provisions of the legislation included:

• Creation of a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED)
• Immigration Enforcement Grant Program
• Enhanced State-Issued ID Standards
• Strengthened Sanctuary City Ban Enforcement

Hurricane Helene Relief

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in nine counties across Northeast Tennessee, claiming 18 lives. The storm destroyed 500 homes, damaged another 538 and displaced thousands. More than 13,000 Tennesseans have registered for assistance, including 5,207 affected households. In addition, Unicoi County Hospital and Hampton High School were torn apart by the storm. To provide much-needed relief to victims and aid local governments of impacted counties, the General Assembly passed legislation and funding in the Special Session. In total, lawmakers approved $470 million for recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene and future emergencies. Senate Bill 6005 allocates:

• $110 million to Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund
• $100 million to the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund
• $240 million to TEMA to reduce political subdivisions’ cost share obligations of the non-federal portion of disaster recovery costs
• $20 million for the reconstruction of Hampton High School

Property Tax Relief for Hurricane Helene Victims

The General passed Senate Bill 6007 to provide property tax relief for victims of Hurricane Helene. Under the new law, property tax relief is available to owners of residential and most business properties if the following conditions are met:

• The property is located in a county included in the FEMA disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene.
• The property was verified by the local property assessor as damaged by Hurricane Helene on or before January 28, 2025.

The relief payments will cover the amount of property tax levied, plus an additional 30%.

Property Tax Relief for Hurricane Helene Victims

Senate Bill 6003 created two disaster relief funds to support ongoing recovery efforts and allow for proactive preparation for future emergencies. It establishes the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund which allocates $110 million to help local governments manage loan interest for recovery costs by covering interest costs at 5% per year for three years on loans for recovery expenses. It also created the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund which provides $110 million for a new program inspired by the HEAL Program that will provide flexible financial resources for future emergencies, including agricultural recovery, unemployment assistance, and business recovery efforts.

Dear Senate District 15 Constituents,

Thank you for the incredible honor to represent our community and advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Your engagement, feedback and unwavering commitment to our shared goals makes my work not just possible but deeply rewarding. I look forward to continuing to work together to build a brighter future for our community.

As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (615) 741-3978. My staff and I stand ready to serve and assist you in whatever way possible. Once again, thank you for this opportunity.

All My Best,

Paul