Bill Encouraging Tennessee Schools To Display 10 Commandments Signed Into Law

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Tennessee legislation that allows local school boards and governing bodies of charter schools to showcase foundational U.S. documents and the Ten Commandments has been signed into law by Governor Bill Lee.

Carried over from the 2025 legislative session, HB0047/SB0303, sponsored by Representative Michael Hale (R-Smithville-District 40) and Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17), is permissive, meaning that no school is required to display the documents which include the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of Tennessee.

Although Democrats opposed the legislation on the grounds that it violated “separation of church and state,” both sponsors contended that displaying the Ten Commandments in a prominent place on school property does not force religion on students or staff but instead highlights their historical significance in helping to shape other founding documents of the United States.

While the House and Senate both passed their respective bills, each contained different language and could not reach a consensus on amendments requiring that a conference committee be assembled.

During the conference committee, which ended up meeting on the very last day of the legislative session, Pody made a case for the specific language found in his amendment due to legal counsel that advised having certain wording in case the legislation is challenged in court.

While Pody was ready to send the bill back to the Calendar committee, essentially killing it, Hale pointed out that similar legislation in other states had been litigated because those laws had made it a requirement to display the Ten Commandments rather than allowing school districts to decide for themselves whether or not to display historical documents.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.