Bail bond limits, property tax ban, ICE regulations: A legislative session recap
A lot can happen in four months, especially when 132 Tennessee lawmakers get together. Here are some of the bills that may have slipped between the big headlines.
Noah McLane
There are 64 articles by Noah McLane :
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April 2026
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State Government Hiring, working, driving: An immigration-related legislative recap
Four months after announcing Republican lawmakers would send a “strong message” with immigration-related bills, The Daily Memphian looks at what passed and what failed.
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State GovernmentFor a while, Tennessee’s cannabis industry was smokin’ hot. Now it’s in the weeds.
Between 2018, when Congress essentially legalized THCa, and 2025, when the Tennessee legislature regulated it, the Volunteer State’s hemp industry was flying high.
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State Government Get the lead out: Bill requires DHS to make lead tests available to Memphians
Two Memphis lawmakers teamed up to ensure Memphis kids and pregnant women have access to blood lead level tests.
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State GovernmentOpponents claim new child-custody bill ‘treats kids like perps’
The bill would let a Department of Child Services residential facility keep a child for up to an additional six months for assaulting a staff member.
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State Government Tennessee bill allows anonymous applicants for director-level jobs
A new bill headed to Gov. Lee would keeps applicants for roles like superintendent and fire chief anonymous. Supporters call it protection. Critics say it’s concerning for government transparency.
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State Government State budget spikes $30M meant for Memphis
The budget “reallocates” $30 million originally proposed for Memphis to combat crime through workforce development and deterrence.
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State Government Transgender health care tracking bill passes Senate
Sen. Brent Taylor advanced a bill that would track transgender health care and protect conversion therapy for those questioning their gender identity.
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State Government Tennessee passes $58B budget
Tennessee’s fiscal year 2027 includes $50 million for public safety in Memphis, $350 million for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and $3.5 million for the new Downtown art museum.
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State Government TN Senate inches closer to details of an MSCS takeover, which could get $1M in startup money
A small group of state lawmakers is expected to meet Monday, in the waning days of the legislative session, to determine the details of a proposal to take over the Memphis school system.
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State GovernmentAsk the Memphian: What is kratom? And is it legal in Tennessee?
Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was charged with trafficking an illegal substance in Arkansas after he was found to be in possession of more than 200 grams of kratom. But what exactly is the drug?
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Spirit of MemphisTennessee legislature honors Memphis native Drew Holcomb
Lawmakers honored the four-time Grammy nominated artist with a resolution making his “Tennessee” an official state song, in the company of classics like “Rocky Top” and “Tennessee Waltz.”
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State Government$1.6B in child support held up due to third-party vendor, judge alleges
A juvenile court judge in Memphis says there’s a growing issue with child support payments in Shelby County and that the state’s newest child support enforcement vendor is to blame.
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State Government TBI could get its own cold case unit
A bipartisan effort to launch a dedicated cold case unit within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation could help cut down on the ever-growing number of missing persons in Tennessee.
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State Government Memphis Safe Task Force accountability act clears Tennessee House
The MSTF Accountability Act passed the House with 74 ayes and 21 noes now heads to Senate.
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State Government Tennessee bill would make drink spiking a felony and require test strips at bars
Led by Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, a bipartisan bill that aims to crack down on the use of “date rape” drugs to involuntarily intoxicate someone cruised through the Senate, but is set for a challenge in the House.
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State Government Lawmaker calls delay on gun bills a ‘slap in the face’ to Tennessee gun owners
A Republican lawmaker wants guns to be allowed on college campuses, public parks and other places they have been historically banned. “It’s almost like they’re married to that one (Second) Amendment,” said one Memphis lawmaker.
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March 2026
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State GovernmentFedEx loses out on $20M tax break following close House vote
Nine votes separated FedEx from a $20 million tax break, despite a mostly united front from Memphis lawmakers.
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State GovernmentNew bill would oust Memphis airport board
Local control of Tennessee’s airports would be grounded if a bill that would give airport-board appointment power to a handful of state lawmakers glides through both chambers.
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State GovernmentTennessee Dems call for gas sales tax holiday
With the war in Iran ongoing and inflation still slightly higher than the Fed’s 2% goal, Tennesseans need financial relief, state Democrats said.
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State GovernmentMemphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act heading to state Senate floor
“It does not alter the work that the district attorney is doing, does not restrict their discretion,” state Sen. Brent Taylor said.
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State GovernmentRepublican bill clears way for private firearms in government buildings
This follows a trend in this session of legislation that relaxes gun rules in public spaces.
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State Government Quick vote on resolution honoring Gov. Bill Lee brings Democratic backlash
Jeers and shouts erupted from the House floor as a Republican resolution honoring Gov. Bill Lee’s deployment of the National Guard to Memphis moved forward with no discussion allowed.
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State Government Lawmakers move to honor Bill Lee over Memphis Safe Task Force
Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives are set to vote Thursday, March 19, on a congratulatory resolution for Gov. Bill Lee following his deployment of the state’s National Guard to Memphis last year.
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State GovernmentTennessee House passes controversial immigration bills
Three immigration-related bills and a constitutional amendment are rolling through the legislature this week, leaving behind a trail of fierce debate and questions about lawmakers’ priorities.
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