Image Credit: AKIN -Allies of Knoxville’s Immigrant Neighbors / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that could prevent Tennessee taxpayers from funding public education for children of illegal immigrants is still in play for next year.
Knox County residents who oppose House Bill 0793 (HB0793), sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland-District 44) gathered Monday night ahead of the Knox County Schools Board of Education meeting to protest the bill.
During their work session, school board members heard from residents who insisted that they pass legislative priorities to support the education of undocumented students.
Two items on the board’s agenda pertained to these students and their education with item eight – “Education for all Children” – affirming that Knox County public schools exist to educate all children within the district regardless of immigration status.
The Senate counterpart to HB0793 passed the state senate during the Tennessee General Assembly’s legislative session earlier this year but did not pass the House.
While the House’s version of the bill can still be voted on in 2026, it is different to what was passed in the Senate. In order to be made law, the same version of the bill must pass in both chambers before making its way to Governor Bill Lee’s desk.
The bill contrasts with current federal law, and is meant to provoke a challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyer v. Doe. This ruling says that states are mandated to provide a free education to all students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade regardless of immigration status.
Should HB0793 become law, all public schools, including public charter schools, in Tennessee would be required to verify a student’s legal status during the enrollment process.
Documentation proving that students are either citizens of the United States or in the process of obtaining citizenship or legal immigration status would have to be provided to schools. In the case that such documentation cannot be produced, LEAs and public charter schools would have the option to charge tuition for a student’s enrollment.
According to the legislation, the tuition could not be less than the TISA-based funding amount for the respective year, and would not be more than the total average per pupil funding amount for any specific LEA.
Should a school choose to charge tuition – required to be paid in full – and it is not paid, the school could deny the student enrollment.
An appeals process would be created for students who may have a lawful presence in the U.S. and would be overseen by the Tennessee Department of Education.
The more conservative House Bill 0746 (HB0746), sponsored by Representative Monty Fritts, and its companion bill, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), failed in the Senate Education Committee when five Republican Senators voted it down.
The Knox County Board of Education is expected to vote on its legislative priorities at its regular meeting on Thursday at 5 p.m.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
