To the Citizens of Tennessee Senate District 15

Friends,

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of this year’s legislative session. This week, we continued moving important legislation forward while also passing a fiscally responsible budget for the State of Tennessee. We’re working to finish strong and deliver results that matter for our communities.

Passing a Balanced Budget & Investing in Tennessee

The General Assembly passed a $58 billion budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, fulfilling our constitutional responsibility and keeping Tennessee on strong financial footing. This budget reflects a continued commitment to fiscal discipline while making targeted investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety.

It also includes support for rural hospitals, funding for workforce development, investments in transportation and housing, and resources to strengthen local communities across our state.

Strengthening Healthcare & Patient Protections

We advanced several healthcare-related measures this week, including Senate Bill 1369, which works to increase competition in Tennessee’s healthcare system by modernizing outdated regulations, and Senate Bill 2414, which transitions oversight of hospital mergers to promote a more competitive, market-driven approach.

Additionally, Senate Bill 2586 establishes clear safety standards and transparency requirements for stem cell therapies, ensuring patients have access to innovative treatments while maintaining strong protections.

Protecting Families & Individual Rights

The Senate passed Senate Bill 676 to ensure patients have access to detransition care, requiring insurance coverage for those services and increasing transparency in reporting.

We also passed Senate Bill 259, which affirms a parent’s right to access their child’s medical records, helping ensure families can make informed decisions about their child’s health and wellbeing.

Public Safety & Accountability

Several measures moved forward to strengthen public safety and accountability. Senate Bill 1486 requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities by honoring detainers, helping close gaps in enforcement.

We also passed Senate Bill 1726 to strengthen Tennessee’s domestic violence offender registry and improve tracking of repeat offenders, as well as Senate Bill 326 to enhance protections for elderly Tennesseans by cracking down on financial exploitation.

Supporting Infrastructure & Innovation

The Senate passed Senate Bill 2205, which establishes a statewide framework for subterranean transportation infrastructure—positioning Tennessee to lead in innovative transit solutions while maintaining strong safety and oversight standards.

We also advanced efforts to expand economic opportunity through workforce development programs and continued investment in emerging technologies across the state.

Legislation I Sponsored

I was proud to carry several pieces of legislation this week focused on strengthening accountability, public safety, and economic development across Tennessee.

Senate Bill 2473 updates the governance structure of major airport authorities across the state to ensure stronger accountability and better representation for both local communities and taxpayers.

Senate Bill 2469 clarifies that judges who are legally permitted to carry a handgun may do so openly, helping ensure they are able to protect themselves both in and out of the courtroom.

Senate Bill 2471 strengthens penalties for criminal trespassing involving vehicles such as ATVs, increasing consequences for those who damage private property and repeatedly disregard property lines.

Senate Bill 1611 supports the expansion of commercial air service at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport by restructuring it as an independent airport authority.

Finally, Senate Bill 2466 establishes a new offense of fraudulent freight theft, strengthening protections for businesses and ensuring law enforcement can more effectively respond to these crimes.

Please enjoy the photo below of the Jackson County High School Blue Devils basketball team during their visit to the Capitol. They recently brought home the TSSAA Division I, Class A state championship – the first in school history – and we couldn’t be more proud of the way they represented Jackson County and the Upper Cumberland. Their hard work, discipline, and teamwork are something our entire community can celebrate.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,

Senator Paul Bailey