Tennessee Legislature Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments To Be On November 2026 State Ballot

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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

The Tennessee General Assembly passed three constitutional amendments that will go on to be placed on the gubernatorial ballot in November 2026.

Voters will have the opportunity to have their say in the right to bail, victims’ rights, and a potential ban on statewide property tax.

Right to Bail

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27) sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 0025 (SJR0025), which would allow a judge to decide whether a person is eligible for bail or not they are charged with any one of 73 violent crimes if “the proof is evident or the presumption is great.” 

Those crimes include second-degree murder, acts of terrorism, aggravated rape of a child, vehicular homicide, aggravated burglary and the third felony offense of manufacture, sale or delivery of a controlled substance. 

Current TN law protects the right to bail for all prisoners except for those charged with capital offenses.

Victims’ Rights

Senate Joint Resolution 0009 (SJR0009), sponsored by Senate John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-District 24), is also known as Marcy’s Law. If passed by voters next year, the amendment would “expand the rights of victims in crimes.”

The body of the resolution enumerates 13 rights that will be protected for those who are victims of crimes. Those rights include the right to be present and heard at any public trial involving the accused, the right to be protected from harassment by the accused, and the right to be notified if the accused is being released or has escaped.

Ban on Statewide Property Tax

Currently, there is not a statewide property tax in Tennessee, but Senate Joint Resolution 0001 (SJR0001) would ensure that legislators were not able to try to impose one in the future. The amendment was carried by State Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18).

While there was concern from some over the elimination of the option should more funding be needed, House Speaker Cameron Sexton noted that the state had made it through recessions, depressions, inflation, and more without ever needing to institute one.