Bill Lee

The State Funding Board, chaired by Governor Lee's finance commissioner, approved a $30 million grant to Starbucks Corporation for its planned Southeast headquarters in downtown Nashville on Wednesday. The grant was contingent on Starbucks meeting investment and hiring projections of $100 million and up to 2,000 new jobs over the next few years, with clawback provisions to recover funds if targets are not met. The approval proceeded despite objections from conservative groups and concerns raised by labor unions regarding worker compensation and conditions at Starbucks locations.

Gov. Bill Lee deferred the execution of Tony Carruthers for one year on May 23, 2026, after the lethal injection procedure was abandoned when medical staff were unable to establish an intravenous line. The deferral occurred after Carruthers' attorneys filed an emergency petition with the state Supreme Court while a doctor identified as Mark Walton Fowler was attempting to place a central IV line in Carruthers' chest following approximately 30 minutes of unsuccessful attempts to insert backup lines. Federal public defenders subsequently questioned Fowler's qualifications to perform the procedure, noting he had not placed a central IV line since leaving emergency room work in 2013 and held no hospital privileges.

Lee signed legislation authorizing the creation of a nine-person oversight board with sweeping authority over Memphis-Shelby County Schools for four years, with the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker each receiving appointment power. Lee announced his five appointees to the board on Friday, including former Memphis superintendent Dorsey Hopson, University of Tennessee trustee Shanea McKinney, civil engineer Nisha Powers, marketing executive Beverly Robertson, and CEO Tyrone Burroughs. The oversight board will have authority over district records, curriculum, the operating budget, the superintendent's contract, and must begin operations by July 1, with the power to block Shelby County Commission approval of the district's annual budget.

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation in May 2026 that established a nine-person oversight board appointed by Tennessee's top three Republican officials to govern Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the state's largest public school district. Lee announced his five appointees immediately after signing the bill, including former Memphis superintendent Dorsey Hopson, granting the board sweeping authority over district operations including budget decisions, superintendent contracts, and curriculum reviews. The oversight board was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the district's academic performance, which state standardized tests showed included reading and math proficiency rates below 25% among students, though the district had achieved the highest possible growth score for four consecutive years.

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation on May 7, 2026 that redrew Tennessee's congressional districts during a special legislative session, eliminating the state's only majority-Black, majority-Democrat voting district in Memphis. The legislation also repealed a decades-old law prohibiting mid-decade redistricting, extended candidate qualification deadlines, waived residency requirements for candidates, and changed voter notification procedures. A three-judge panel is hearing arguments on whether the General Assembly exceeded the scope of Lee's proclamation calling the special session.

Governor Bill Lee declined to intervene in the scheduled execution of Tony Carruthers, who was convicted in 1996 for three murders in Memphis. Carruthers' sister, Dr. Tonya Carruthers Hervey, traveled to the Tennessee State Capitol on May 18, 2026, to join advocates and the ACLU in requesting that Lee halt the execution pending fingerprint and DNA analysis of untested crime scene evidence. The execution was scheduled to proceed by lethal injection at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution on May 23, 2026.

The Tennessee legislature passed legislation requiring all sheriffs certified by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to enter into Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) agreements to enforce immigration law, with the bill heading to Governor Lee's desk for signing. Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall asserted his office was exempt from the requirement based on a legal review by city attorneys, noting that his position does not require POST certification as the sheriff's office is primarily responsible for jail operations and warrant service rather than general law enforcement duties. Hall stated that his department already cooperates with federal immigration officials on an ongoing basis, with 632 individuals arrested on local charges transferred to ICE custody in the past 12 months.

Gov. Bill Lee signed into law on May 7, 2026, a new congressional redistricting map for Tennessee that redraws the 9th Congressional District, the state's only majority Black district, into three separate Republican-leaning districts. The new map divides areas of Memphis with predominantly Black populations among districts with overwhelmingly white populations, effectively eliminating the majority Black district that had existed for decades. The redistricting followed a Supreme Court ruling that weakened enforcement mechanisms of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Lee signed legislation requiring state judges to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in their lawful operations. Under the law, judges who obstruct such federal immigration authorities may be referred to the state's judicial oversight board for misconduct proceedings and potential removal from office. The legislation, sponsored by Republican representatives Rick Scarbrough and Paul Rose, included a sunset provision setting an expiration date of February 1, 2029.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all 24 Democratic members from standing committees and subcommittees, citing a protest during a redistricting vote in which House Democrats locked arms at the front of the chamber as Republicans voted to redraw congressional maps. Sexton's letter stated that Democrats blocked aisles, encouraged disruption, distributed earplugs to members, used prohibited props and noisemakers, and displayed disregard for House rules of order. The committee removal applies for the remainder of the year, though Sexton indicated the ban could continue or be modified if he is reelected as speaker for the 2027 legislative session.

Gov. Lee signed legislation on May 7 expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship program by 15,000 seats for the 2026-27 school year. Data released following the expansion showed that of approximately 17,500 new applicants, only 3,970 grants in the lowest income category were awarded, while 9,360 grants went to families earning up to $173,160 annually. The General Assembly enacted a requirement that the Tennessee Department of Education provide lawmakers with annual reports on program applications, eligible applicants' prior school enrollment, and household income data beginning June 1.

Governor Bill Lee signed into law a redrawn U.S. House district map during a special legislative session called at President Donald Trump's instruction, which reconfigured Tennessee's congressional districts including the state's only majority-Black, majority-Democrat district in Memphis. The Tennessee legislature's Republican supermajority passed the new map after repealing a long-standing state law that had prohibited mid-decade redistricting. State attorneys filed a response to an NAACP lawsuit challenging the map's validity, arguing that the governor and legislature possess sovereign immunity and that the repeal of the redistricting prohibition was lawfully included within the stated purpose of the special session.

Governor Lee signed into law a redistricting measure that divides Tennessee's only majority-Democratic U.S. House district encompassing Memphis into three separate districts. Democratic lawmakers argued during legislative debate that the redistricting plan diluted the voting power of a majority-Black congressional district. The NAACP Tennessee State Conference filed a legal challenge in Davidson County Chancery Court, arguing the redistricting process violated both the state constitution and state law.

Governor Bill Lee provided backing for President Donald Trump's decision to send the National Guard to Memphis in October 2025 as part of a federal task force to address violent crime in the city. Memphis experienced a 41 percent reduction in crime comparing 2025 to 2023, with murders declining from 73 at the same point in 2025 to 48 murders as of April 2026. The article attributes the crime reduction in Memphis to increased enforcement and consequences for criminal activity.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann stated that he had no involvement in Tennessee's congressional redistricting process, which was conducted by a small group of state lawmakers including House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally during a special session called by Governor Bill Lee. Fleischmann said he did not see the newly drawn congressional map until after it was made public but expressed support for the final map that split Tennessee's only Democratic-held district into three separate districts. The redistricting occurred outside the normal census cycle following a Supreme Court ruling that removed certain Section 2 Voting Rights Act protections regarding race-conscious district drawing.

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation during a special legislative session that redrawn Tennessee's U.S. House congressional districts, eliminating a majority-Black voting district previously held by Democrats in Shelby County. Lee also signed a bill nullifying a state law that had prohibited mid-decade redistricting, which the lawsuit argues violated the Tennessee Constitution's requirement that the General Assembly conduct only business for which it was specifically called. The NAACP Tennessee filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court challenging the constitutionality of both the new map and the suspension of residency requirements for candidates in the newly drawn districts.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation on May 7, 2026, enacting a new U.S. House congressional map that reconfigures the state's majority-Black 9th District centered in Memphis, extending it eastward and northward toward Nashville suburbs. The map was passed by the Republican-controlled legislature during a special session amid Democratic protests and was accompanied by legislation repealing the state's prohibition on mid-decade redistricting. Lee's signature completed the enactment of the redistricting plan, which Republicans characterized as based on population and political data.

Tennessee Republicans unveiled a congressional redistricting map on May 6, 2026, that divides Memphis and Shelby County into three districts, reducing the state's sole majority-Black congressional district. The map was proposed in response to a Supreme Court ruling that week that weakened provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 governing racial gerrymandering. The state legislature convened in special session and prepared to vote on the map as soon as the following day, with Governor Bill Lee having been contacted by President Trump to support the redistricting effort.

Tennessee lawmakers adopted procedural rules for a special legislative session on U.S. House redistricting that limit public comment periods and shorten the timeframe for public review of proposed maps. The rules were adopted Tuesday morning and are expected to enable passage of a new congressional map by Thursday. House Republicans rejected transparency amendments proposed by House Minority Leader Karen Camper and included provisions barring individuals who disrupt meetings from the special session.

Tennessee Republicans advanced a congressional redistricting proposal on Wednesday that would split Shelby County into three districts instead of two, breaking up the state's lone Democratic-held district centered on Memphis. Republican state Sen. John Stevens stated the new map ensures Tennessee's congressional delegation reflects the state's conservative composition, while House Speaker Cameron Sexton indicated the districts were drawn based on population and politics rather than racial data. The proposal also includes legislation to repeal a state law prohibiting mid-decade redistricting and would reopen the candidate qualifying period to allow candidates to switch districts ahead of the August 6 primary election.

Governor Kay Ivey called a special legislative session in Alabama beginning May 4, 2026, to consider contingency plans for special primary elections in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act. The session was convened to allow lawmakers to potentially adopt new congressional district maps ahead of the November elections, rather than canceling the state's May 19 primaries. Ivey's action followed similar redistricting efforts by Republican-led legislatures in Tennessee, Louisiana, and other southern states seeking to redraw congressional districts in light of the Supreme Court decision.

Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation establishing a new citizenship verification process for voter registration that will activate in 2028 if the federal government makes available a national database of non-citizens to county elections officials. Under the law, Tennessee voter registrations would be compared against the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security creates a secure access portal for county elections administrators. The legislation was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Leader William Lamberth, both Republicans, and was approved along party lines during the legislative session.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation sponsored by Rep. Michelle Reneau and Sen. Mark Pody that explicitly excludes artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, and machines from the state's legal definitions of person, life, and natural person. The law clarifies that AI systems cannot be treated as legally responsible parties, keeping legal accountability focused on the humans and institutions that develop, deploy, or use such technology. The legislation became law in late April 2026 and follows similar definitional measures passed in Utah and Idaho in recent years.

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly that established a nine-member Republican-appointed oversight board to assume control of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district's budget, staffing decisions, and authority to close schools. The board members will be appointed by top Republican state leaders and will have the power to dismiss Superintendent Roderick Richmond and make final decisions on district finances and school closures. Lee also signed a separate Republican-backed law that prohibits the school district from using public funds to pay for legal challenges to the state takeover.

Death row exonerees and innocence advocates called on Governor Bill Lee to halt the May 21, 2026 execution of Tony Carruthers to permit DNA testing on evidence in his case. Carruthers was convicted in 1996 of kidnapping and murdering three people based on circumstantial evidence and paid informant testimony, and his attorneys have argued the testing could prove his innocence. The American Civil Liberties Union filed motions requesting DNA analysis of untested evidence and unmatched fingerprints, which a state court denied and the ACLU subsequently challenged in federal court.

The Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled that seven state and local Democratic officials lacked standing to challenge Governor Lee's deployment of the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis, which Lee ordered in October 2025 as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force created by President Donald Trump. The three-judge appellate panel did not address the merits of the case but determined that the plaintiffs could not demonstrate they were harmed by the deployment. The ruling upheld Lee's authority to maintain the National Guard deployment in Memphis despite the initial lower court decision that had temporarily blocked it.

The Chattanooga Airport Board authorized legal counsel to challenge Tennessee House Bill 2507, legislation that would reconstitute airport boards in Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Knoxville by placing a majority of seats under state control. Under current governance, all nine board members are appointed by Mayor Tim Kelly and approved by City Council, whereas the bill would allocate six of nine seats to state officials and three to local leaders. The bill has passed both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly and awaits signature from Governor Bill Lee.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called a special legislative session beginning Tuesday to redraw the state's congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated certain restrictions on voting maps under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Lee stated that after consulting with the lieutenant governor, speaker of the House, attorney general, and secretary of state, he believed the General Assembly had a responsibility to review and ensure the maps remained fair, legal, and defensible. The special session was scheduled to meet a deadline before the August 6 primary election, with state legislators planning to complete the redistricting within one week.

Gov. Bill Lee proposed a $100 million one-time investment in Tennessee's Governor's Response and Recovery Fund for Fiscal Year 2027, designed to provide disaster assistance to local governments and individuals when Federal Emergency Management Agency aid is insufficient or unavailable. State lawmakers approved a budget amendment that reduced the disaster fund allocation to $44.2 million, cutting the proposed investment by $55.8 million to support other priorities including healthcare reimbursement. The fund, which was originally created in 2025 with $110 million following Hurricane Helene, will be managed by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to deliver assistance through grants and loans for disaster recovery costs not covered by federal aid or insurance.

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation making illegal immigration a state crime in Tennessee as part of the "Immigration 2026" agenda developed in cooperation with White House advisor Stephen Miller. The Republican-controlled Tennessee General Assembly passed more than a dozen bills imposing new immigration verification, reporting, and enforcement responsibilities on state and local law enforcement officers, public health providers, government social workers, and driver's license issuers. The measures include requiring sheriffs to enter cooperative agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and establishing criminal penalties for public health workers who fail to report patients without legal status.

Governor Lee signed legislation establishing an English language requirement for Tennessee driver's licenses, with applicants unable to speak English receiving a nonrenewable restricted license valid for 18 months. Lee also signed a bill requiring state and local government employees to report immigrants lacking legal status who receive public benefits to state authorities and establishing penalties for government entities that fail to verify immigration status during hiring. Additionally, Lee signed a law making it a misdemeanor for immigrants subject to deportation orders to remain in Tennessee beyond 90 days, and signed legislation requiring all Tennessee sheriffs to enter cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or face loss of state funding.

Governor Lee backed legislative leadership in introducing the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (SB2234/HB2548) and the Foreign Agent Registration Act (SB2235/HB2549), a package designed to establish safeguards against infiltration by hostile foreign powers by requiring agents of designated foreign adversaries to register with the Tennessee Ethics Commission. The Foreign Agent Registration Act failed to advance out of committee in late March, and the House companion bill was subsequently removed from consideration after executives and representatives for Cirrus Aircraft, a Chinese state-owned company with operations in Knoxville, successfully lobbied against the legislation. Committee chair Richard Briggs cited economic impact concerns in explaining his opposition to the bill.

Legislation requiring all 95 Tennessee county sheriffs to enter cooperative agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the 287(g) program reached Governor Bill Lee's desk following a final Senate vote in April 2026. The bill mandates that sheriffs enter into these agreements with the federal government or face the loss of state funding. Lee's action on the legislation—whether to sign or veto it—had not yet been documented at the time of this article's publication.

The Tennessee state legislature passed legislation to ban kratom, a substance with stimulant and opioid effects, and sent the bill to Governor Bill Lee for his signature. If Lee signs the bill, Tennessee would become the seventh state in the United States to implement a full ban on kratom. The ban is scheduled to take effect in July and would make kratom products currently sold in various forms throughout the Chattanooga area illegal to distribute and sell.

Gov. Bill Lee championed an expansion of the state-funded private school subsidy program in 2026. The Tennessee General Assembly passed a $58 billion state budget that included nearly $300 million to almost double the private school subsidy program that Lee had advanced. Hamilton County state senators divided on the expansion, with state Sen. Todd Gardenhire voting against growing the program while state Sen. Bo Watson, as chair of the Finance, Ways and Means committee, worked to pass the appropriations.

Governor Bill Lee rejected Tennessee's participation in the Summer EBT program in 2024, which had previously distributed $84 million in federal dollars to low-income families with children during summer months and served approximately 700,000 children. The Tennessee legislature approved a state budget for the following fiscal year that included a $7 million line item to cover administrative costs for the Summer EBT program. This budget allocation restored the state's participation in the federal program after Lee's prior decision to withdraw from it.

Governor Lee rejected participation in a federal summer food program two years prior to the article's publication date, which had previously provided meals to approximately 700,000 children during summer months. Tennessee lawmakers introduced a measure in April 2026 to require Lee to resume the state's participation in the federal anti-hunger program. The proposal received bipartisan support from state legislators.

Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation amending the state's threats of mass violence law, which previously resulted in felony charges against children for jokes and misunderstandings. The revised law requires school officials to report student threats to police only if the threat is deemed "credible," meaning reasonably expected to be carried out, eliminating the previous requirement to report all threats. Gov. Lee is expected to sign the legislation.

The Tennessee legislature passed legislation protecting the Duck and Buffalo rivers in Middle Tennessee by prohibiting landfill installation within 2 miles of the scenic waterways. The bill received final approval from the state legislature and was sent to Governor Bill Lee for signature. Lee's action on the legislation will determine whether the river protection measure becomes law.

Gov. Lee included $100 million in one-time dollars in his fiscal year 2027 budget proposal to establish a state disaster response fund. Tennessee lawmakers approved the $100 million state disaster fund on Tuesday, intended to provide assistance to local governments and individuals when Federal Emergency Management Agency aid is insufficient. The fund represents an expansion of the state's disaster response capacity.

Gov. Lee's administration introduced Senate Bill 2235/House Bill 2549, which would have required lobbyists to register when representing foreign adversaries as part of efforts to identify foreign money's influence on Tennessee policy. The bill was removed from House consideration in late March and failed to advance from the Senate State and Local Government Committee. The legislation did not proceed further during the 2026 legislative session.

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation that eased financial barriers for felony voting rights restoration in Tennessee, including modifying the requirement that individuals fully pay child support before regaining voting rights to instead require demonstrated compliance with child support orders for the preceding year. The law also decoupled the payment of all court costs from voting rights restoration eligibility. The Republican-supermajority Legislature approved the Democratic-sponsored bill with most Republicans and all Democrats voting in favor, and the law took effect immediately upon Lee's signature.

Governor Lee proposed that Tennessee allocate $500,000 in state funding to the Tennessee Poison Center at Vanderbilt University following a grant reduction by the Trump administration. The poison center operates a call center that provides free emergency poison information to the public and offers guidance to callers regarding emergency medical care. Lee's proposal would replace the federal funding that was cut during the administration's budgetary decisions.

A bill requiring homeowners associations to carry fidelity bonds, or crime insurance, was sent to Governor Bill Lee's desk following passage in both chambers of the Tennessee legislature. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Hemmer, was prompted by an investigation into Gasser Property Management that revealed more than one million dollars missing from dozens of homeowners associations across four counties. If Lee signs the bill, it will take effect at the start of the next year and will require HOAs to obtain fidelity bonds to protect community funds from fraud and theft.

Lee requested that the Tennessee General Assembly double the number of Education Freedom Scholarships from the current amount to 40,000 during the 2024 legislative session. The proposal was placed behind the budget as lawmakers paused debate on bills with significant state costs. House Finance Subcommittee Chair Ryan Williams proposed an alternative figure of 35,000 scholarships, with negotiations ongoing as of the article's publication.

Gov. Lee deployed the Tennessee National Guard to Memphis, an action that was challenged by local and state elected officials including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. Chancery Court Judge Patricia Moskal issued a temporary order in November blocking the guard's presence in Shelby County. The Tennessee Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in March 2026 to determine the legality of Lee's deployment decision.

Governor Lee allocated $45.3 million in his proposed budget for the conversion of approximately 1,300 acres of McDonald Farm in Sale Creek into a state park tentatively named Roaring Creek State Park. The Hamilton County Commission voted unanimously on a resolution signaling their intent to support any future land transfers required for the state park project. The farm, a historic property once owned by the family of Roy McDonald, former publisher of the Chattanooga Free Press, will be developed according to the state park plans announced in mid-February.

Lee's administration proposed the establishment of a statewide disaster assistance fund, initially created by the Tennessee General Assembly following Hurricane Helene, to deliver aid to local governments and individuals not served by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Tennessee's Senate approved the bill establishing this recovery fund. The fund was designed to address gaps in federal disaster assistance coverage within the state.

Senate Majority Leader Johnson proposed legislation designated House 2450/Senate 2205 to establish the Subterranean Transportation Infrastructure Coordination Authority, which received approval from the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday. The new agency would consist of an 11-member board and 20-person staff with $5 million in annual funding to issue permits and regulate subterranean transportation projects in Tennessee. The authority would currently oversee the Boring Company's proposed 13-mile underground tunnel connecting downtown Nashville to the airport.

Governor Lee signed legislation in the previous year that established a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, for any local elected official voting for or adopting sanctuary policies on immigration as defined in state law. A Tennessee court ruled the felony provision unconstitutional after the state's attorney general declined to defend it, citing constitutional protections for legislative votes. The agreed order was signed by Nashville Chancellor Russell Perkins following a lawsuit brought by seven metro council members challenging the policy's constitutionality.

Governor Bill Lee allocated $45.3 million in the state budget to develop and maintain a state park on McDonald Farm in Hamilton County. The park will encompass approximately 1,300 acres of the historic Sale Creek property, which was previously owned by the McDonald family. The funding was designated following years of deliberation regarding the county's plans for the agricultural land.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee sought to expand the Education Freedom Scholarship Program from 20,000 to 40,000 voucher slots with a $300 million budget increase. Lawmakers from both parties, including State Rep. Sam McKenzie and State Rep. Jody Barrett, introduced bills requiring transparency data on the existing program before considering expansion, specifically requesting information on student enrollment origins, household income of recipients, and administrative costs. Lee indicated on Monday that he would consider adding accountability measures to the program.

Lee stated that Tennessee would partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when requested by federal authorities. In May of the previous year, after the Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted hundreds of traffic stops in South Nashville at ICE's request, Lee said the state was prepared to coordinate with federal officials to remove individuals he characterized as dangerous criminals from the streets. The governor's position on ICE cooperation was cited by state Republican leaders including Rep. Andy Ogles and Sen. Marsha Blackburn as part of their defense of immigration enforcement operations in the state.

President Trump approved $60.6 million in federal aid for Tennessee following winter storms that caused widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. The aid was announced in February 2026 in response to damage sustained during the severe winter weather event. The approval made federal disaster assistance available to the state for recovery and relief efforts.

Lee requested an expedited major disaster declaration on January 28 following a winter storm that caused widespread power outages and property damage across Tennessee. Trump approved Tennessee's Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking approximately 60 million dollars in federal assistance for 23 counties. The declaration allows eligible residents, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to apply for reimbursement for storm-related recovery costs and expenses.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed a $58 billion state budget that represents a 9% decrease from the previous year's spending plan. The proposal includes expanding the Education Freedom Scholarships program from 20,000 to 40,000 vouchers at a cost of $300 million, raising the minimum teacher salary to $50,000, and reducing road construction funding from approximately $850 million to $425 million. The budget also allocates funds for state trooper positions, judicial computer systems, artificial intelligence modernization, and infrastructure projects including welcome center renovations and relocation of the Tennessee Air National Guard.

During his final State of the State address in February 2026, Tennessee Gov. Lee proposed expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship program from 20,000 to 40,000 tuition grants, representing a 100% increase in the program's size. The expansion would cost $310 million annually. Lee made this proposal despite simultaneously planning to cut the overall state budget.

President Donald Trump approved a request for emergency aid to Tennessee on Saturday following a severe winter storm that resulted in widespread power outages across the state. Governor Bill Lee had declared a state of emergency for all 95 counties on Friday in advance of the storm, which left hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power due to heavy ice accumulation. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell issued a separate emergency declaration on Sunday.

Governor Bill Lee nominated Kyle Hixson, a Court of Criminal Appeals judge from Knoxville, to a position on the Tennessee Supreme Court in January 2026. Hixson's nomination requires confirmation by the Tennessee General Assembly. The appointment would fill a vacancy on the state's highest court.

Gov. Bill Lee proposed an expansion of Tennessee's private school tuition grant program in 2026. Republican state representatives, particularly from rural districts, indicated they would not support the expansion, citing concerns about program cost. The proposal faced resistance from members of Lee's own party in the state legislature.

Governor Lee declined to secure federal funding available to states for summer meal programs for children in Tennessee. The decision prompted questions from educators and lawmakers regarding alternative state-level measures to address child hunger during summer months. The federal program in question provides resources to feed children during the period when school meals are not available.

Governor Bill Lee did not opt into a federal summer food program for low-income children before the January 1 deadline, resulting in Tennessee declining to secure over $84 million in federal funding. The program had previously provided food assistance to low-income children during summer months to address childhood hunger. Lee's decision to forgo participation occurred despite requests from county mayors, child advocates, clergy members, and educators.

During a 43-day federal government shutdown that extended from October into mid-November, Governor Lee directed $5 million in TennCare reserve funds to food banks across Tennessee to address shortages caused by delayed SNAP benefits and federal worker paychecks. The shutdown forced federal employees to miss paychecks, strained food assistance programs, and raised concerns about the availability of nutrition assistance benefits for low-income families. Lee's allocation of emergency reserve funds was intended to help bridge the gap in food assistance until the federal government reopened on November 13.

On Thursday, Governor Lee announced he would grant executive clemency to 33 individuals, including musician Jelly Roll and Shawn Baker, founder of Freeman Recovery Center. All 33 recipients had completed their prison sentences and had been released for at least five years prior to receiving the pardons. The pardons restore rights including firearm access and voting rights for the recipients.

Gov. Bill Lee announced a $6.6 billion joint venture between South Korea-based Korea Zinc and the federal government to construct a minerals refinery on the site of a shuttered mine in Smith County, Tennessee. The investment represents the largest single economic investment in Tennessee history. According to federal officials, the project aligns with the Trump administration's stated objective to reduce U.S. reliance on China for minerals used in semiconductor, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

Tennessee Governor Lee issued pardons to 33 individuals on December 18, 2025, including country artist Jelly Roll, whose legal name is Jason DeFord, and Monty Burks, a former government official in the Trump administration. The pardons were selected from 173 pardon applications submitted to the Tennessee Board of Parole, of which 72 met initial screening criteria. This represented a decrease of 10 pardons compared to the previous year.

Governor Lee requested a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to modify Tennessee's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Trump administration officials approved Lee's request, which prohibits SNAP recipients from using federal food benefits to purchase soda and sugary processed foods. The policy became effective for Tennessee SNAP recipients following the federal approval.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $12 billion in one-time "bridge" payments for row crop farmers affected by trade market disruptions and increased production costs during the 2025 crop year. Gov. Lee publicly commented on the relief package during the Tennessee Farm Bureau's annual meeting in Franklin, noting that Tennessee farmers are projected to lose $450 million in 2025. Lee characterized the USDA payments as a response to the financial hardship experienced by farmers in the state.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's office announced in late October 2025 that the state would not use reserve funding to cover a shortfall in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a federal government shutdown. The decision meant that approximately 690,000 Tennessee residents, including 34,000 in Hamilton County, did not receive their November nutrition assistance payments after federal benefits lapsed on November 1, 2025. In response to the lapse, Chattanooga-area organizations, churches, and food pantries coordinated food drives and increased volunteer efforts to address increased demand for food assistance in the community.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton proposed legislation to provide stipends to student teachers during their required internships. The proposal was presented as part of efforts to address ongoing teacher shortages in the state. State education advocates indicated support for the stipend funding initiative.

The Governor's Council for Judicial Appointments named Ross Dyer, Kyle Hixson, and Shea Sisk Wellford as finalists for the Tennessee Supreme Court seat to be vacated by Justice Holly Kirby on June 30 following public interviews on Tuesday. The council will submit this list of finalists to Governor Lee for his consideration. Lee will nominate one of the three finalists to fill the vacancy on the court.

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner announced a new crime hotline for residents of Memphis public housing on Monday as part of an ongoing task force that deployed federal and state law enforcement to the city beginning in early October. The hotline enables residents of HUD-funded housing to report criminal activity including drug distribution, gang activity, human trafficking, and fraud. The initiative represents an expansion of the Memphis Safe Task Force's operations in the city.

Governor Lee signed the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act, a universal private-school tuition program that provides public funds to support private school attendance. A group of ten Tennessee parents and taxpayers filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court challenging the constitutionality of the program, naming Lee, Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds, and Tennessee Board of Education members as defendants. The lawsuit asserts that the Education Freedom Scholarship Act violates the state constitution by redirecting public funds to private schools that the plaintiffs characterize as unaccountable institutions.

Tennessee Gov. Lee announced that the state's budget outlook will determine the number of new private school vouchers funded in 2026. Lee and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton are discussing an expansion of access to private school vouchers. The governor tied the expansion of the voucher program directly to the state's revenue projections for the coming fiscal year.

Governor Lee announced a $5 million allocation of state funding directed to food banks in Tennessee. This action occurred following a federal freeze on food assistance benefits that resulted in thousands of Tennessee families losing monthly food aid payments. The state funding was intended to address food insecurity resulting from the interruption in federal food assistance programs.

President Donald Trump issued an order on September 15 establishing a task force in Memphis that calls for large-scale saturation of neighborhoods with law enforcement personnel and strict enforcement of quality-of-life and public-safety laws. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated he would deploy approximately 150 National Guard members from Tennessee, primarily military police trained for law enforcement, to support the effort, though he indicated the numbers were not finalized. Lee also announced that 300 Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers would be deployed to the region and that federal officers from 13 agencies would arrive in waves over weeks and months, with Guard members not making arrests unless local authorities request armed Guard units.

Tennessee Governor Lee announced that additional federal law enforcement agents will deploy to Memphis beginning the following week to address crime in the city. The deployment includes agents from 13 federal agencies, including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Agency, alongside city police and state troopers, with National Guard members arriving in phases. Lee specified that National Guard members will not make arrests and will not be armed unless local law enforcement requests it, and stated he will not declare a state of emergency.

Governor Bill Lee requested federal intervention in Memphis, which resulted in President Donald Trump signing a presidential memorandum establishing the Memphis Safe Task Force to deploy National Guard troops to the city. The task force includes personnel from multiple federal law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, ICE, and U.S. Marshals, with the stated purpose of reducing crime rates in Memphis. Lee stated his support for the deployment, citing the city's crime statistics and describing crime as a longstanding problem affecting the municipality.

Governor Lee announced at an August 26, 2025 press conference that he does not plan to deploy National Guard troops to Tennessee cities for law enforcement purposes. Lee stated the state has no plans to station National Guard personnel in Tennessee cities and declined to accept federal troops to patrol Memphis despite a presidential order authorizing such deployment. The decision came in response to requests for military involvement in Tennessee law enforcement operations.

Lee signed the Education Freedom Scholarship Act at the Tennessee State Capitol on February 12, 2025. The legislation established a scholarship program that provides state funding for student educational expenses. According to reporting on the law's implementation, the state per-pupil funding structure created by the act directed larger subsidy amounts to participating students compared to traditional public school allocations.

Governor Bill Lee announced that Tennessee will provide right of way for the Boring Company's Music City Loop project without requiring the company to pay for state-owned land used in tunnel construction. The project involves building a series of tunnels under Nashville connecting Nashville International Airport to various locations within the city for Tesla electric vehicle transit. Lee's decision eliminates a land acquisition cost for the tunnel system planned to operate in the Nashville area.

Tennessee Gov. Lee authorized the deployment of 160 members of the Tennessee National Guard to Washington, D.C. in August 2025. The deployment was ordered to join federal law enforcement operations in the nation's capital. Lee's authorization made Tennessee among the states providing National Guard personnel to the federal operation.

Governor Lee commuted the sentence of Mindy Dodd in 2021 after she had been convicted under Tennessee's felony murder law and sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to commit murder, despite not being present at the crime scene. Dodd's case prompted State Senator Raumesh Akbari to initiate a Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee summer study to examine how accomplices to murder are charged under state law, with testimony from both Dodd and District Attorneys General Conference leader Stephen Crump regarding the application and fairness of the statute. The study raised questions about whether accomplices can receive equal or harsher sentences than the person who committed the actual killing, with particular focus on cases where the accomplice may have had limited knowledge of the consequences of their involvement.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated on Wednesday that he is prepared to deploy National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to participate in President Donald Trump's federal takeover of the police force in the nation's capital. Lee's statement indicated willingness to commit state military resources to support the federal initiative. The announcement represented Lee's alignment with the Trump administration's policing restructuring proposal for the District of Columbia.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee mobilized members of the Tennessee National Guard to assist federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement with deportation operations in August 2025. The deployment represented a state-level response to coordinate with federal immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. Lee had previously deployed National Guard members to the U.S. Southern border in March 2024.

Governor Lee ceremonially signed the Farmland Preservation Act, which officially went into effect following a two-year legislative effort to address Tennessee's farmland loss rate of approximately 10 acres per hour. The act establishes a conservation easement program that provides financial compensation to farmers who agree to place their land in conservation trusts, restricting future development while allowing continued agricultural use and certain other activities. Lee stated the legislation represents "a good first step" and indicated the state would monitor participation rates and consider potential adjustments based on program outcomes.

State Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Ridge, co-sponsored a nonbinding House resolution concerning kratom that cleared the General Assembly and was signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May 2025. Helton-Haynes indicated her intention to file legislation restricting or banning kratom in Tennessee beginning in the following legislative session. The resolution addressed concerns raised by addiction specialists and others regarding the substance, which is sold at gas stations and vape shops throughout the state.

The Tennessee Senate passed a $1.9 billion business tax break in 2024, with thirteen of the chamber's thirty-three senators declaring conflicts of interest before voting. Republican Sen. Shane Reeves of Murfreesboro declared a conflict and voted on the measure despite his company, TwelveStone Health Partners, having received a one million dollar FastTrack grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in 2016 and subsequently benefiting from state tax rebates. Reeves founded the company in Rutherford County in 2016 with a nearly fifteen million dollar investment that created two hundred jobs in packaged medication, health care services, and medication equipment.

Governor Lee signed legislation establishing a statewide school voucher system in Tennessee, which directs public education funding to private institutions. The voucher program became operational and began providing subsidies to private schools, including Tennessee Christian Preparatory School. The policy redirects state education dollars from public school systems to support private school tuition for eligible students.

Governor Lee invested approximately $95 million to expand TCAT Nashville, one of Tennessee's Colleges of Applied Technology, to address workforce shortages in skilled trades across the state. The investment includes construction of a new Allied Health building scheduled for completion by January 2026 that will house programs in practical nursing, dental assisting, and EMT training, as well as improvements to satellite campuses in Portland and Springfield. Lee cited this technical education investment as part of the state's broader strategy under the GIVE Act to create career pathways for young people to fill positions in industries facing worker shortages.

Governor Lee vetoed House Bill 527/Senate Bill 455, legislation that would have expanded the Board of Parole's authority to deny early release in cases where the severity of the offense or public safety concerns warranted continued incarceration. The bill passed the legislature with overwhelming support and little initial controversy. The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference subsequently issued a letter calling on state lawmakers to override Lee's veto.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee denied a clemency request from death row inmate Oscar Franklin Smith on May 20, 2025, stating he would not intervene in Smith's scheduled execution. Smith was sentenced to death by a Nashville jury for the 1989 murders of his estranged wife, Judy Smith, and her two sons, Chad and Jason Burnett. Lee had previously granted Smith a temporary reprieve in 2022, but announced on May 20 that he would not take action to prevent the execution scheduled for May 22, 2025.

Governor Lee declined to grant clemency to Oscar Franklin Smith, who was convicted of killing his estranged wife and her two sons in 1989 and was scheduled for execution by lethal injection on May 22. Lee stated that after deliberate consideration of Smith's clemency request and thorough review of the case, he was upholding the sentence imposed by the State of Tennessee. Smith's legal team had requested that Lee halt the execution and impose a reprieve on all death row executions until March 2026, when a trial on the constitutionality of Tennessee's lethal injection protocol was scheduled.

Governor Lee's administration launched the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship program on May 15, 2025, establishing the state's first universal private school voucher program. The program received applications exceeding the total number of scholarships available. Lee expressed approval of the volume of applications received for the education savings account initiative.

Governor Lee signed the Education Freedom Scholarships program into law, which launched applications on its first day with over 33,000 families applying for vouchers worth $7,295 each to attend private schools of their choice. The state made 20,000 scholarships available, with 10,000 reserved for students whose family income does not exceed 300 percent of the threshold for free and reduced lunch eligibility and 10,000 available regardless of income. Lee stated that the program demonstrates parental demand for educational choice and credited the General Assembly for partnership in implementing universal school choice across Tennessee.

Governor Bill Lee rejected a clemency filing submitted by attorneys for death row inmate Oscar Franklin Smith, who is scheduled for execution on May 22 using lethal injection as the method. Death row inmates Smith and Byron Black had previously requested that Lee issue a reprieve halting executions until March 1, 2026, when a trial on the constitutionality of Tennessee's execution protocol is scheduled. Lee did not grant the requested reprieve or clemency.

Gov. Lee appointed Jennifer K. Peck to fill a judicial vacancy in Hamilton County Circuit Court on May 9, 2025. Peck's candidacy was considered by the Trial Court Vacancy Commission, which met on March 11, 2025, at the Chattanoogan Hotel. The appointment filled an open position in the circuit court serving Hamilton County.

Governor Lee confirmed that the Tennessee Highway Patrol cooperated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in conducting 369 traffic stops in South Nashville beginning May 3, resulting in 94 people being detained for immigration violations. Lee stated that the state's role was to serve as a partner with federal authorities when ICE requested assistance in the operation. Lee expressed support for the federal agency's enforcement mission, characterizing cooperation with ICE as part of addressing what he described as criminal activity in the state.

Gov. Lee issued his first veto in over six years of service on May 5, 2025, rejecting a measure that would have expanded the authority of the state Probation and Parole Board. The bill had passed the Tennessee legislature before being vetoed by Lee. This marked Lee's first use of veto power since taking office.

Governor Bill Lee rejected a clemency petition filed by attorneys for Oscar Franklin Smith, who is scheduled for execution on May 22 in Tennessee. Smith declined to select an execution method, making lethal injection the default procedure under state law. Lee had previously issued a temporary reprieve on executions in 2022 due to concerns about the state's lethal injection protocol, which remains subject to a constitutional trial scheduled for March 2026.

Gov. Lee signed House Bill 533 on Thursday, legislation that codifies the right to fertility treatments and contraception in Tennessee. The signing occurred after 11 GOP lawmakers, including State Rep. Michele Reneau of Hixson, submitted a letter requesting Lee veto the bill. State Rep. Iris Rudder of Winchester carried the measure, which included State Reps. Esther Helton-Haynes and Yusuf Hakeem as prime cosponsors.

Two bills passed by the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee legislature prohibit state and local governments, school districts, and public colleges and universities from maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion offices and from considering race, ethnicity, sex, or age in employment decisions. The legislation was sent to Governor Bill Lee for signature. The bills represent the legislature's action to eliminate these offices and hiring considerations from public sector operations across the state.

The Tennessee House approved legislation on April 22, 2025, that creates a new state crime of "human smuggling" by criminalizing the act of harboring, hiding, or concealing individuals without lawful immigration status. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Todd, R-Jackson, was sent to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for consideration. Lee retained authority to sign or veto the legislation upon receipt.

Gov. Lee requested $100 million in funding for Duck River conservation projects and regional water utility partnerships in Middle Tennessee during the 2026 budget process. The Tennessee General Assembly approved $65 million of the requested amount, reducing the allocation by $35 million. The Duck River provides water to approximately 250,000 Middle Tennessee residents and experienced concerning water level declines and increased mussel die-offs in 2025.

Senate Bill 227/House Bill 11 passed the Tennessee Senate on April 17, 2025, by a vote of 70-23, establishing liability for churches and charitable organizations that provide housing assistance to immigrants without legal status if those individuals subsequently commit crimes. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. Rusty Grills, was sent to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for signature. The bill creates a legal mechanism by which nonprofits and faith-based organizations can be held responsible under state law for crimes committed by undocumented immigrants they have aided with housing.

Governor Lee granted a full pardon to Quanie Clendening, clearing his record after 25 years following his conviction on charges of conspiring to sell drugs as a teenager. Clendening, who had served time as a two-time felon, subsequently earned bachelor's and master's degrees and founded The Build Up Foundation, a nonprofit providing ACT preparation, community activities, and mentorship to inner-city youth in Nashville. The Metro Nashville Public Health Department honored Clendening with the Community Champion Award for his efforts to improve health and safety in his neighborhood.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation requiring public schools to teach the "success sequence," a framework identifying high school graduation, workforce entry or postsecondary education, marriage, and childbearing as steps to future success. The bill was sent to Governor Bill Lee for his signature. Tennessee joined other states in enacting legislation centered on this educational approach.

Sen. Bo Watson, R-North Chattanooga, sponsored House Bill 793, which would allow Tennessee school districts to deny enrollment or charge tuition to undocumented K-12 students. Watson presented the measure to the senate education committee in early March 2025, characterizing it as addressing fiscal concerns related to per-pupil funding and federal education dollars. The bill advanced to a full house hearing on March 26, 2025, where the House Education Committee passed the legislation amid public protest.

Governor Lee included $20 million in the state's revised budget for victim-serving agencies, including sexual assault centers, domestic violence shelters, and child abuse counseling agencies. These organizations had experienced significant reductions in federal Victims of Crime Act funding, which declined from $68 million in 2018 to $16 million in the previous year. The allocated funding was intended to help sustain agencies that work with law enforcement in cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee included $15 million in a budget amendment designated for revitalization of Chattanooga's downtown riverfront. The funds were earmarked for the riverfront revamp project, contingent on approval by state legislators. Final authorization of the budget amendment required legislative action to proceed.

Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, presented House Bill 1392 before the Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday, legislation that would reinstate gun carry permits in Tennessee, which is currently a permitless carry state. The bill failed to advance to the full committee after a contentious debate between Pearson and Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, which escalated into personal accusations and an attempted physical confrontation. Pearson brought the legislation months after his brother died by suicide and stated it was his first day back at the capitol since his brother's death in December 2024.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released his official budget amendment for fiscal year 2026, detailing which state-funded measures he would include in the budget. The amendment allocated funding for road improvement projects, school voucher expansion, full TCAT scholarships, teacher raises, additional state police and TBI agents, $10 million for state artificial intelligence implementation, and $20 million for school safety grants. The amendment did not include funding for a grocery sales tax reduction, rejected federal Summer EBT program funds in favor of a smaller state-funded alternative, and excluded funding for several other proposals from state lawmakers.

Governor Lee signed the Education Freedom Act at the Tennessee state Capitol on February 12, 2025. The legislation allows families to use taxpayer dollars to send students to private schools. Lee's action occurred as part of a broader national trend in which more than a dozen states have launched or expanded similar school choice programs in the past two years.

A Tennessee bill requiring educational institutions that house students overnight to separate bathrooms by what the legislation describes as "immutable biological sex" was passed by the state legislature and sent to Governor Lee's desk in March 2025. The measure would apply to overnight housing facilities at educational institutions throughout the state. Lee did not take action on the bill within the timeframe covered by this article.

Governor Lee announced support for President Trump's executive order to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education, stating that Tennessee would benefit from reduced federal oversight of education. Lee made the statement hours before Trump signed the executive order instructing the Education Secretary to begin the dissolution process. Lee indicated openness to using federal funds to expand his state school voucher program in the absence of the federal department.

The Tennessee legislature passed HB 602, the "Voyeurism Victims Act," in March 2025 with unanimous approval. The bill creates legal protections and remedies for victims of non-consensual recordings, particularly in intimate contexts involving hidden cameras and unauthorized video capture. The legislation was sent to Governor Bill Lee for signature.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee included $124.5 million in one-time funds in his proposed budget to address water management needs in the Duck River region of Middle Tennessee. The funds are intended to help balance growing water demands in Middle Tennessee with the preservation of the Duck River's environmental health. According to Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers, the river will require hundreds of millions of dollars and several years to achieve this balance.

Arkansas Gov. Sanders unveiled a proposal on Tuesday to eliminate the remaining 1/8th of a cent sales tax that the state levies on groceries. The proposal responds to complaints from lawmakers and constituents regarding high prices for food items including eggs and other household staples. Similar grocery tax reduction efforts are also underway in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Governor Bill Lee backed Tennessee SB 207, the Farmland Conservation Act, which would establish a $25 million grant program for farmers who voluntarily preserve their land through conservation easements. Lee announced the initiative during his State of the State address in January, citing Tennessee's loss of approximately 10 acres of farmland per hour. The program would provide grants to participating farmers while delegating easement management to land trusts rather than state agencies.

Governor Bill Lee proposed a farm conservation measure that would establish a $25 million fund to compensate farmers who grant the state easements on portions of their land, with the stated purpose of slowing development of farmland and forests. The bill had previously been introduced in 2024, when state Senator Steve Southerland was removed from his position as chair of the senate agriculture committee after declining to support the legislation. Lee revived the proposal in February 2025.

Gov. Lee proposed a revision to Tennessee charter school law that would allow charter school operators to apply directly to a state commission for authorization rather than requiring approval from local elected school boards. The proposal would create a pathway for applicants to bypass their local districts in the charter authorization process. The change would represent a significant alteration to the existing structure governing how charter schools gain operational approval in Tennessee.

Governor Lee proposed a state budget of over $58 billion that includes a $244 million increase in public school education funding under the TISA formula, along with $12 million in new scholarships for students attending Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. The budget also allocates funding for 22 new Tennessee Bureau of Investigation staffers and over 100 new Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, as well as $1 billion in additional investment in the state road fund. All proposed expenditures require approval from the Tennessee General Assembly.

In his State of the State address, Lee announced a proposed budget of $59.4 billion that includes increased funding for public education, transportation, and conservation efforts in Tennessee. The budget proposal allocates funding to raise starting teacher salaries to $50,000 across school districts and directs $1 billion in one-time general fund money to the Tennessee Department of Transportation while proposing a plan to generate $80 million annually through redirecting tire sales tax revenue to transportation infrastructure. Lee's budget also addresses farmland conservation through support for HB 1325/SB207, which aims to counteract the loss of Tennessee farmland to development, with projections indicating 2 million additional acres could be lost to development by 2027.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton filed legislation that would reduce state funding allocations to local governments that enact measures in violation of state law. The bill was introduced in response to municipal actions, including gun-control ordinances approved by Memphis voters in 2024 that Sexton contended conflicted with state statutes. The proposed measure would establish a mechanism for the state to withhold tax revenues from localities found to have passed ordinances that violate state law.

Lee's administration introduced legislation that would remove vaccination requirements for children receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a state financial assistance program. The bill would also eliminate school attendance mandates currently tied to the program's eligibility criteria. The proposed changes would alter the conditions under which families qualify for state welfare payments.

During Tennessee's 2025 Special Session, lawmakers passed HB 6004, the Education Freedom Act of 2025, which authorizes school vouchers for families in all 95 counties of the state. The bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Senator Jack Johnson, establishes a baseline voucher amount of $7,000 and creates a program offering 20,000 students the opportunity to use public tax dollars for private school tuition in the upcoming school year. The measure passed the House 54-44 and the Senate 20-13, with some Republicans voting against the legislation.

Governor Lee called a special legislative session to advance his Education Freedom Act, which would establish tuition grant programs in Tennessee. President Trump issued a public statement on social media expressing support for the legislation and Tennessee lawmakers working to pass it during the special session. Trump stated his intention to return education authority to individual states and characterized education improvement as a national goal.

Governor Lee issued a proclamation for a special legislative session that included an immigration agenda alongside provisions for school vouchers and disaster relief. The proclamation stated the agenda was aimed at ensuring Tennessee could assist in carrying out federal immigration enforcement priorities. Immigration experts characterized Lee's proposed plan as more extensive than those of other non-border states.

Governor Lee called a special legislative session to advance his voucher program. The specific bill or program details are not provided in the available text. Lee's action consisted of convening the legislature for this stated purpose.

Governor Lee announced a slate of immigration policy proposals to be considered during a special legislative session beginning January 27, including the establishment of a centralized immigration enforcement division within the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security with a chief immigration enforcement officer appointed by the governor. Lee proposed modifying state identification procedures to restrict eligibility to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and those with federal work authorization, with special markers designating non-citizens on licenses. Additionally, Lee outlined proposals to create a Class E felony offense for local officials adopting sanctuary city policies, to empower the Tennessee Attorney General to initiate removal proceedings against officials violating anti-sanctuary provisions, and to establish training programs for police officers to support federal immigration enforcement efforts.

President-elect Donald Trump named Penny Schwinn as his choice for U.S. deputy secretary of education on January 17, 2025. Schwinn previously served as Tennessee's commissioner of education from 2019 to 2023. The deputy secretary position would be the second-highest ranking role in the U.S. Department of Education, reporting to Linda McMahon, Trump's selection to lead the agency.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Wednesday that he would call a special session of the general assembly to convene on January 27, 2025. The special session agenda includes voting on Lee's Education Freedom Act, introducing a disaster relief legislative package related to hurricane recovery, and addressing public safety matters related to immigration. Democratic lawmakers gathered following the announcement to discuss their concerns about the grouping of education savings accounts with disaster relief measures.

Gov. Lee announced on Wednesday that he would convene a special legislative session in January 2025 to address his statewide school voucher proposal, disaster relief funding for flooding victims, and public safety measures related to immigration policy implementation. The special session would bring Tennessee lawmakers together to consider Lee's voucher plan alongside relief efforts and immigration-related legislation. Lee did not specify the exact dates for the special session or provide detailed provisions of the proposed measures.

Tennessee's State Building Commission approved a $260 million replacement facility for Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga. The approval proceeded without a designated new location, as the current facility operates on state-owned land at Moccasin Bend identified as a Native American historical site. Governor Lee ordered an archeological review of the property following requests from multiple groups, and the project budget includes funding for the purchase of an alternative site.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee confirmed on January 8, 2025, that he would deploy National Guard troops to assist with deportations if requested by President-elect Donald Trump. Lee stated at a news conference in Nashville that no specific plan currently exists for Trump's deportation strategy and no requests have been made to utilize Tennessee National Guard troops for this purpose. The governor indicated his willingness to provide state military resources to support federal deportation operations if such a request materializes.