This week, Governor Lee released his supplemental budget appropriation amendment which includes various changes to the budget proposed in February. In the coming weeks, the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee will review the proposed budget and make changes to reflect the General Assembly’s priorities.

Most legislative business has shifted from committees to the Senate floor. Five committees completed their business this week – Commerce and Labor; Transportation and Safety; Education; Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources; and Health and Welfare. Three other committees remain open for the 2025 session and are set to meet next week – Finance, Ways and Means; State and Local Government; and Judiciary.

Tennessee Senate passes bill to prepare for deregulation of education at the federal level

In a proactive step to prepare Tennessee’s education system for potential changes to the U.S. Department of Education, the Senate passed Senate Bill 950 on Thursday. The legislation would establish a Federal Education Deregulation Cooperation Task Force.

The task force will be charged with preparing Tennessee for possible substantive changes to the U.S. Department of Education, which the current federal administration has signaled could take effect as early as 2025. The task force will play a key role in ensuring Tennessee is ready to act quickly and effectively should the federal government significantly alter education funding or oversight.

The seven-member task force will be responsible for:

• Identifying all federal funding sources for K-12 education in Tennessee
• Reviewing federal requirements tied to those funds
• Assessing the state resources needed to access federal funds
• Documenting positions funded through federal dollars
• Evaluating which federally funded programs should be continued, modified, or replaced

The task force’s findings will help guide the General Assembly as it considers education policy ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Tennessee Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act advances

The Tennessee Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee to strengthen measures against child exploitation. This bill will prohibit electronic communication service providers from notifying customers about search warrants or subpoenas related to ongoing investigations under Tennessee’s obscenity laws.

Providers can reach out to the target of these investigations, giving them ample time to delete the requested records. This bill closes that loophole, allowing our law enforcement to act on the subpoena or search warrant before the target is made aware.

Ninety days after the requested materials have been delivered to law enforcement, the providers can alert customers. Protecting children is a priority in Tennessee and Senate Bill 535 assists law enforcement in their efforts. This bill moves to the Senate Floor for further consideration.

Legislation advances to invalidate out-of-state drivers licenses issued to illegal immigrants

The Senate Transportation and Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 1086 this week, aiming to improve road safety and address illegal immigration. Currently, 19 states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses or driving privilege cards. These licenses are often marked to distinguish them from standard state-issued licenses.

The bill invalidates these licenses from other states for individuals in the country illegally and creates a Class B misdemeanor for operating a vehicle with an invalid license under this legislation.

This is exclusively for those in the country illegally that have been issued a drivers license in another state. The majority of states that issue licenses to illegal immigrants issue a distinctive license. The bill requires the Department of Safety to go through and create a list of these licenses. Those licenses will not be valid licenses here in the State of Tennessee.

The bill will now move to the Senate Floor for final approval.

To the Citizens of Senate District 15

It has been another productive week in Nashville. This Tuesday, we officially closed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, marking a significant milestone in this legislative session. I had the opportunity to present several bills in committees, and I look forward to continuing the discussion on these crucial issues in the coming weeks. Additionally, I had the privilege of meeting with several constituents from District 15 to hear firsthand what matters most to them. These conversations are invaluable, as they help guide my efforts to make meaningful changes in our communities.

As always, I am honored to serve and advocate on your behalf. Your voices are essential in shaping the work we do, and I deeply appreciate your engagement and support. I look forward to the upcoming weeks of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly and the continued opportunity to represent Senate District 15.

All My Best,

Paul