Tennessee General Assembly
| Tennessee General Assembly | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 9, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Randy McNally (R) |
| House Speaker: | Cameron Sexton (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Jack Johnson (R) House: William Lamberth (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Raumesh Akbari (D) House: Karen Camper (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 33 (Senate), 99 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art III, Tennessee Constitution |
| Salary: | $28,406/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | Tennessee General Assembly has control |
Meeting place: | |
The Tennessee General Assembly is the formal name of the state legislature of Tennessee. The Tennessee General Assembly consists of two houses, the upper house, the Tennessee State Senate and the lower house, the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Tennessee has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Elections
2024
Elections for the Tennessee State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is August 1, 2024. The filing deadline is April 4, 2024.
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is August 1, 2024. The filing deadline is April 4, 2024.
2022
Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2022. The filing deadline was April 14, 2022. The filing deadline was originally scheduled for April 7, 2022, but was rescheduled for May 5, 2022, after a judicial panel ordered the Senate maps be redrawn. This decision was appealed and reversed and the filing deadline for the state Senate was changed to April 14, 2022. [1][2]
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2022. The filing deadline was April 7, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 6, 2020. The filing deadline was April 2, 2020.
Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 6, 2020. The filing deadline was April 2, 2020.
2018
Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on August 2, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2018.[3]
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on August 2, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2018.[4]
2016
Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.
2014
Elections for 18 seats in the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. A general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014.
Elections for 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 2, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2012.
Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 2, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 5, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 1, 2010.
Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 5, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 1, 2010.
Sessions
The Tennessee General Assembly convenes on the second Tuesday in January on the years following elections as outlined by Article II, Section 8 of the Tennessee Constitution. The legislature is limited to 90 paid legislative days within a two year term.
2024
- See also: 2024 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions
In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on April 25, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on April 21, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on April 28, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 5, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 19, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Tennessee State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 19, 2020, until June 1, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 19, 2020. A special session convened on August 10, 2020, and adjourned on August 12, 2020.[5] 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 2, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through April 27, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 10, 2017. 2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 22. The legislature held a special session from September 12 to September 14 to repeal a DUI bill that threatened to remove $60 million in federal funding. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through April 22. Major issues in 2015Major issues for the 2015 legislative session included health, education, and finances.[6] Of particular focus was Governor Bill Haslam's (R) "Insure Tennessee" plan. The two-year pilot program would give access to healthcare coverage to those living in the state that do not currently have health insurance or had limited options.[7] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through April 18. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included education, guns in work parking lots, and requiring prescriptions for drugs used to make methamphetamine. 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to April 19. Republicans had a supermajority for the first time since the Civil War era. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included guns, school vouchers, and tax cuts to wine in grocery stores.[8] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10 through May 1. Major issues in 2012Republican legislators began the session by passing new congressional and state legislative maps. Major issues in the session included job creation and eliminating policies and regulations that restrict businesses, including the inheritance tax, and reforming unemployment insurance. 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 11 through May 21.[9] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in regular session from January 12th to June 10th. Additionally, the legislature met in special session from January 12th to January 25th to deal with educational issues related to race to the top funds.[10] |
Role in state budget
- See also: Tennessee state budget and finances
Tennessee on 
|
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[11]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
- State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by October 1.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by February 1. The deadline for new governors is March 1.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget between April and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Tennessee is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[11]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to adopt a balanced budget.[11]
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $28,406/year | For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $79/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $313/day. |
When sworn in
Tennessee legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[12]
Senate
The Tennessee Senate is the upper house of the Tennessee General Assembly.
The Tennessee Senate, according to the Tennessee Constitution of 1870, is composed of 33 members, one-third the size of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Senators are to be elected from districts of substantially equal population.
As of the 2020 Census, Tennessee state senators represented an average of 209,603 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 193,195 residents.
According to the constitution a county is not to be joined to a portion of another county for purposes of creating a district; this provision has been overridden by the rulings of the Supreme Court of the United States in Baker v. Carr (369 US 182 1962) and Reynolds v. Sims (337 U.S. 356 1964) The Tennessee constitution has been amended to allow that if these rulings are ever changed or reversed, that a referendum may be held to allow the senate districts to be drawn on a basis other than substansially equal population.
Until 1966, Tennessee state senators served two-year terms. That year the system was changed, by constitutional amendment, to allow four year terms. In that year, senators in even-numbered districts were elected to two-year terms and those in odd-numbered districts were elected to four-year terms. This created a staggered system in which only half of the senate is up for election at any one time. Districts are to be sequentially and consecutively numbered; the scheme basically runs from east to west and north to south.
Republicans attained an elected majority in the Senate in the 104th General Assembly (2005-2006) for the first time since Reconstruction; a brief majority in the 1990s was the result of two outgoing senators switching parties.
The senate elects one of its own members as Speaker; the Speaker automatically becomes Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee. The current Speaker of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor is Vacant (R).
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 6 | |
| Republican Party | 27 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 33 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Tennessee State Senate in 2004. In 2022, they won a 27-6 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Tennessee Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Tennessee State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Republicans | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
House of Representatives
The Tennessee House of Representatives, is the lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly. According to the state constitution of 1870, this body is to consist of 99 members elected for two-year terms.
As of the 2020 Census, Tennessee state representatives represented an average of 69,868 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 64,398 residents.
In every even-numbered year, elections for state representative are conducted simultaneously with the elections for U.S. Representative and other offices; the primary election being held on the first Thursday in August. Seats which become vacant through death or resignation are filled by the county commission (or metropolitan county council) of the home county of the member vacating the seat; if more than a year remains before the next general election, a special election is held for the balance of the term.
The Speaker of the House is second in line to succession to the governorship after the Speaker of the Tennessee Senate; however, no Speaker of the Tennessee House has ever become governor. The Speaker, under House rules, has the right to appoint all committees and their chairs and assign proposed legislation to committees, giving the Speaker tremendous power to push legislation through or conversely, to block it. The current Speaker of the House is Beth Harwell (R).
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 24 | |
| Republican Party | 75 | |
| Independent | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 99 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2008. In 2022, they won a 75-24 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Tennessee House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Tennessee House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 63 | 59 | 61 | 59 | 57 | 54 | 53 | 53 | 49 | 34 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
| Republicans | 36 | 40 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 45 | 46 | 46 | 50 | 64 | 71 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 75 |
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Tennessee are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? A majority of members in both chambers.
| A simple majority of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 50 of the 99 members in the Tennessee House of Representatives and 17 of the 33 members in the Tennessee State Senate. Tennessee is one of six states that requires a majority vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
| Vetoes can be overridden in a special session called by the legislature.[13] Two-thirds of members in both chambers must agree to call for a special session.[14] |
Authority: Article III, Section 18 of the Tennessee Constitution.
| "Every bill which may pass both Houses of the General Assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor for his signature. If he approve, he shall sign it, and the same shall become a law; but if he refuse to sign it, he shall return it with his objections thereto, in writing, to the house in which it originated; and said House shall cause said objections to be entered at large upon its journal, and proceed to reconsider the bill. If after such reconsideration, a majority of all the members elected to that House shall agree to pass the bill, notwithstanding the objections of the executive, it shall be sent, with said objections, to the other House, by which it shall be likewise reconsidered. If approved by a majority of the whole number elected to that House, it shall become a law." |
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Tennessee
In Tennessee, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[15]
The Tennessee Constitution requires that state Senate districts "preserve counties whole where possible." State statutes mandate that no more than 30 counties may be split across districts. Furthermore, state law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[15]
2020
On November 22, 2023, the Davidson County Chancery Court struck down the state senate map, declaring it unconstitutional. The court ordered the state to create a new state senate map by January 31, 2024.[16] On April 13, 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a ruling by the Davidson County Chancery Court on April 6 blocking the same state senate map. Gov. Lee signed the state's legislative districts into law on February 6, 2022.[17]
On January 18, 2022, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended state legislative proposals for consideration by the full Senate in a 7-2 vote along party lines, with all Republicans supporting the proposals and all Democrats opposing them.[18] The Senate approved proposals for congressional and Senate maps in a 26-5 party-line vote on January 20, 2022.[19] On January 26, 2022, the Tennessee Senate approved the state House plan.[20] These maps took effect for Tennessee's 2022 legislative elections.
On December 14, 2021, the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Redistricting released five state Senate plans and four congressional plans submitted by the public.[21] The Tennessee House Select Committee on Redistricting voted to approve a proposal for House districts, HB 1035, on December 17, 2021.[22] The ad-hoc Senate committee released a state Senate plan on January 13.[23]
2010
Congressional redistricting, 2010
Following the 2010 United States Census, Tennessee neither gained nor lost congressional seats. At the time of redistricting, Republicans controlled both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly. In addition, a Republican held the governorship. On January 13, 2012, the state legislature approved new congressional district lines, which were signed into law by the governor on January 26, 2012.[15][24]
State legislative redistricting, 2010
On January 13, 2012, the state legislature approved a state House redistricting plan, which was signed into law on January 26, 2012. New state Senate lines were adopted on January 19, 2012, and signed into law on February 9, 2012.[15]
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Tennessee State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Tennessee State Senate for 12 years while the Republicans were the majority for eight years. Tennessee was under Republican trifectas for the final three years of the study.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Tennessee State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Tennessee State House of Representatives for first 18 years while the Republicans were the majority for the last four years. The Tennessee House of Representatives is one of 18 state Houses that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Tennessee was under Republican trifectas for the final three years of the study.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Tennessee, the Tennessee State Senate and the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Tennessee state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Tennessee experienced both Democratic and Republican trifectas during the years of the study. Its best ranking, finishing 21st, occurred in 2012 during a Republican trifecta. Its worst ranking, finishing 40th, occurred in 2004 during a Democratic trifecta.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 34.00
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 23.00
- SQLI average with divided government: 31.71
Joint Committees
- See also: Public policy in Tennessee
The Tennessee General Assembly has four joint committees:
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Tennessee Constitution can be amended:
The Tennessee Constitution can be amended in two ways—through the legislative process, or a state constitutional convention.
Legislature
In Tennessee, the state Legislature must pass a constitutional amending during two successive legislative sessions with an election in between. During the first legislative session, a simple majority vote is required in both legislative chambers. During the second legislative session, a two-thirds vote is required in both legislative chambers. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. In Tennessee, amendments must be placed on general election ballots in which there is also a gubernatorial election.
The required legislative votes per session, assuming no vacancies, are listed below:
| Requirements to refer constitutional amendments in Tennessee | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Requirement | Senate | House | |||
| First | Simple majority vote | 17 | 50 | |||
| Second | Two-thirds vote | 22 | 66 | |||
Convention
According to Section 3 of Article XI of the Tennessee Constitution, the state Legislature can vote to refer a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote is required in the Legislature.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.
- See also: Tennessee 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures have been certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
Potential:
- The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.
No measures to list
See also
| Elections | Tennessee State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Tennessean, "Tennessee Supreme Court reverses lower court order blocking state's new Senate map," April 13, 2022
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Petition Information," accessed April 11, 2022
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Key Dates for the 2018 Election Cycle," accessed September 6, 2017
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Key Dates for the 2018 Election Cycle," accessed September 6, 2017
- ↑ Tennessee General Assembly, "Home page," accessed March 24, 2020
- ↑ Dave Boucher, The Tennessean, "As Haslam officially sworn in, battles await," January 17, 2015
- ↑ UT Advocacy, "109th Tennessee General Assembly Begins," January 13, 2015
- ↑ Commercial Appeal, "Guns, wine, vouchers again in Tennessee legislature," January 5, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislature, "2010 session dates for Tennessee legislature," December 19, 2011
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ Tennessee Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ TN Report, "Veto-Override Session May be in Works," March 21, 2014
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Special Sessions," May 6, 2009
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 All About Redistricting, "Tennessee," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Judges rule Tennessee Senate map unconstitutional, order legislature to redraw by Jan. 31," November 22, 2023
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Gov. Bill Lee signs redistricting bills dividing Davidson County into three congressional districts," February 7, 2022
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Tennessee redistricting maps sent to full Senate for vote," January 19, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Tennessee senators approve new congressional, Senate districts; House to vote Monday," January 20, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Senate clears final redistricting map, Memphis and Knoxville House Democrats drawn together," January 26, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Senate redistricting panel hears public proposals without releasing committee draft," December 14, 2021
- ↑ Williamson Herald, "Tennessee House panel adopts new redistricting plan," December 20, 2021
- ↑ Axios, "Subdued Tennessee Senate redistricting maps released," January 14, 2022
- ↑ Barone, M. & McCutcheon, C. (2013). The almanac of American politics 2014 : the senators, the representatives and the governors : their records and election results, their states and districts. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
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