Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Several immigration-related bills which had stalled behind the budget were quickly approved by the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Wednesday evening and will now receive a full House vote as the General Assembly prepares to finalize the state’s budget for the next fiscal year in the 2026 legislative session’s final stretch.
HB1710– Requires citizenship checks for state benefits
This bill would require all state and local governments and county health departments to verify the citizenship or legal residency in the U.S. of anyone who is 18 years or older applying for taxpayer-funded federal, state, or local public benefits.
If applicants do not present appropriate documentation to prove citizenship, they must be reported to the state’s Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division, and local agencies that fail to comply could be subject to investigation by the Attorney General and potentially funding cuts.
Additionally, public employees who do not comply with the requirements could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
“Currently, taxpayer-funded benefits are not consistently limited to lawful residents, and uneven enforcement allows some local governments to avoid accountability. These gaps undermine public trust and responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” said bill sponsor Rep. Dennis Powers about the bill previously.
With only one clarifying question, the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee voted 23-4 along party lines to send the bill to the House Calendar & Rules Committee to receive a date for a full House vote.
You can find the contact information for your Tennessee House Representative HERE.
The Senate has already passed their version of the bill, so if the House passes their iteration it will proceed to the Governor for signature into law.
HB1706– Prohibits illegal aliens from operating commercial vehicles in Tennessee
This bill explicitly prohibits those “not lawfully present” from driving commercial vehicles, creating a Class A misdemeanor for the illegal driver and a direct employer who knowingly allows an illegal alien to operate a commercial vehicle in the state.
If an illegal alien encounters law enforcement while driving a commercial vehicle, officers would be required to turn the individual over to immigration authorities. Additionally, the bill creates civil liabilities for accidents caused by illegal aliens, crafting accountability for employers who knowingly allow illegals on the road and employees of any state who knowingly issue commercial drivers’ licenses to illegal aliens.
There was no discussion after bill sponsor Rep. Jason Zachary’s (R-Knoxville-District 14) explanation of the bill and the committee voted 21-4 along party lines in favor of sending the bill for a full House vote.
You can find the contact information for your Tennessee House Representative HERE.
The Senate has passed the companion bill, so the last step before this measure can become law is the House vote.
HB1708– Ensures those applying for a Tennessee driver’s license speak & read English
While the Tennessee Department of Safety currently offers license exams in several languages in addition to English including German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, this legislation would mandate that should applicants fail to meet “sufficient” English standards and take the test in another language, they would only be issued an eighteen-month restricted license.
Upon its expiration, the applicant would have to retake the written exam in English without any assistance before being issued an unrestricted license. Additionally, applicants for vehicle registry would be required to provide evidence they are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or have temporary lawful resident status.
The committee voted 22-4 along party lines to advance HB1708 to the Calendar & Rules Committee for a floor date.
You can find the contact information for your Tennessee House Representative HERE.
Senate companion SB1889 is scheduled for the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Tuesday, April 21.
Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee – SB1889 scheduled to be heard on April 21
SB1889 ensures those applying for a Tennessee driver’s license speak & read English.
Sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
HB2219– Mandates all Tennessee Sheriffs participate in federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program
Sponsored by Rep. Johnny Garrett, HB2219 stipulates that sheriffs must participate in the 287(g) program under one of its three models and provides a statewide procedure for handling detainees awaiting transfer to federal custody.
Sheriff’s departments could choose between the 287(g) program’s Jail Enforcement Model, Warrant Service Officer Model, or Task Force Model which allows certified officers to identify and process removable aliens, place immigration detainers and initiate removal proceedings, and ensure transfer to ICE depending on which model the department enters.
Agencies that do not enter into the agreement could have state funds withheld. The bill would not apply to constables as they are separately authorized officers under Tennessee law, and participation by municipal police departments remains optional.
There was once again no discussion before the committee voted 20-5 to send the bill to the Calendar & Rules Committee for a floor date.
You can find the contact information for your Tennessee House Representative HERE.
Senate companion SB2223 is scheduled for the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Tuesday, April 21.
Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee – SB2223 scheduled to be heard on April 21.
SB2223 mandates all Tennessee Sheriffs participate in federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program,
Sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
HB1817– Takes commercial drivers off roads if unable to read & speak English sufficiently
Under this legislation, a law enforcement officer would be required to issue an out-of-service order if a commercial driver is found not to be fluent in English. The license would remain suspended and a substitute driver who is proficient in English would take over operation of the vehicle until the original driver takes and passes the written commercial driver license test in English.
The vote was 24-2 along party lines to send the bill to secure a floor date from the Calendar & Rules Committee.
You can find the contact information for your Tennessee House Representative HERE.
While the Senate has passed their version, it contains an amendment stripping the accountability mechanisms for employers whose illegal drivers are pulled off the road over concerns about enforceability. The original legislation also charged employers with a Class C misdemeanor and citation punishable by a $500 fine, but that language no longer appears in the amendments of either the House or Senate bills.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
