[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6266875,"mediaKeyId","3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0","parentId",3084819,"title","Senate approves new intervention powers for chronically low‑performing districts; Shelby County cited as primary example","audioSeconds",2730,"startMs",10553000,"endMs",13283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0&start=10553&end=13283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0/thumbnail_10553000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6266875/Tennessee/Senate-approves-new-intervention-powers-for-chronically-lowperforming-districts-Shelby-County-cited-as-primary-example","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266875-2d77391faca5e58ea4052a502a2ab65c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969443&Signature=bvf6eAHh6I3d5G8HLPWKIHIMbiomNRBvMUZxAAVTDwDNb113bfzm4GcXqvJ-HgZZt6eawJknEjeTscecuw1tBHWmxKjMpDRcw3K1FppNxW4Xv~hNIixs2Ok41hesW0RnaNNaD0FGrAsy7Hj0ISNsIPY~gFJTkVzjnVb546pPVXkGLIxhxMi8StIC54F5TIk2yoyOUJ7qG8i4nWDskhLa2Oic-VrDQas4SrQYrko~KVCH~Aoc8a7ORUCnmDMsr--SxoLIJ1dkrzi49xEGbGaUgZeeIyn8VI2RDv2KTu6ZtcJyaFR0Ox3828uuEmhy0ds5gOdU7jc4~OmnVodcVZHjBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tennessee Legislature","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate passed Senate Bill 7 14 on third and final consideration, a package of interventions that gives the state new authority to act when a local district meets a set of performance and poverty thresholds. The motion carried 26‑6.

The bill defines a “challenged” district as one that (1) has at least 50% of students classified as economically disadvantaged, (2) fails expectations in math and English, and (3) has at least one school on the Department of Education’s priority list for five of the last lists. If a district meets those tests the commissioner of education may recommend or, with the Board of Education’s concurrence, remove the director of schools and seek replacement appointments. The measure also allows the county commission and county mayor greater authority in certain replacement actions and directs the creation of a 9‑member oversight/advisory board to review district needs assessments, major contracts and transformation plans.

The bill removes the income cap for the state education savings account (ESA) program for students zoned to qualifying “challenged” districts, making more students eligible for ESAs in those districts, and it expedites and expands charter conversion authority for designated schools.

Sponsor Senator Taylor said the measure was designed as a “cascade” of interventions that starts locally but gives state and local leaders additional options when improvement fails. “This is about putting in place a list of cascading interventions for a school district that meets the criteria…not the state coming in and taking over, but empowering local governments and giving them the resources and guidance they need,” he said.

Opponents — including Senators Lamar, Yarbrough and Oliver — said the bill improperly removes local control, risks constitutional questions about appointed versus elected officials and will increase costs for local governments who must staff and fund the new advisory board. Senator Lamar said the proposal would “create more bureaucracy” and argued community problems that affect education are broader than governance changes. Senator Yarbrough raised legal and equal‑protection concerns and said the bill singles out one county’s students for different treatment.

The legislation creates specific duties and compensation rules for the oversight board (members are to be paid the same rates as local school board members), requires the board to produce a comprehensive needs assessment and a district transformation plan, and to read its comments on the local school board agenda into the public record. The measure includes provisions about review of contracts above a $50,000 threshold and reporting on underused properties.

Senator Taylor said the bill pairs the statutory interventions with a forensic audit funded in this year’s budget and argued that prior experiments (he cited the Achievement School District) had failed and warranted a different approach.

Where it stands: The Senate adopted the bill on third and final consideration; the clerk recorded the final vote as 26 in favor and 6 opposed. The bill now proceeds to the next legislative steps for transmittal to the other chamber or enrollment as appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session - 28th Legislative Day\tApr 22, 2025\t","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate passed Senate Bill 7 14 on third and final consideration, a package of interventions that gives the state new authority to act when a local district meets a set of performance and poverty thresholds. The motion carried 26‑6.","taxTitle","Senate Floor Session, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",79856,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266856,"Votes at a glance: key Senate floor outcomes and final actions",3110,2795000,5905000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0&start=2795&end=5905","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","/articles/6266856/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Senate-floor-outcomes-and-final-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266856-5ac9b2fcc7f9c2121c98372958374e20/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969443&Signature=GWF7E59gkHfpyOINbs0AgmUizxc98eEc~LK1H~QAmL2wPB032QwZwXDrIIQvSF3649EUGwW7sK15uDPQarU1zv8EegnaKWEljc-InGHK1CbLbBkAzSAQq845twKB9Ku9H4nrHiGPkROo4tqy-XQc07zjBxsv9fjMur~7xSwPAEarVIXFnjA0msfB2mt~q72SujSsHbcop~PKnRzxGo2AnYUlEMBwarhU~JjL7K~7qiU~SUA2H1nGzMh2YzgL~LUFcmtY1zl8Br9PxdQ~sD5O6-QpN2izPo7bDHsabY1SVuqP1wyhU3~KVCAxSINjxcPY7jtluIGdE13ErzkCsWeU2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate completed a sequence of votes on House and Senate measures during the floor session. The items below summarize final recorded actions, the short description where given on the floor, and the recorded tally when the transcript captured it. Where the transcript did not print a roll tally, the field is marked “not specified.”

Votes at a glance

- Consent Calendar No. 1 (memorializing and congratulating resolutions): Passed unanimously (roll calls show 33 ayes, no nays).
- Local bill consent calendars (multiple local bills): Passed unanimously (record indicates 33 ayes, no nays for local consent calendars).
- Message Calendar: Motion to refuse to recede on a message (conference), appointment of a conference committee: motion adopted (vote format not provided; action recorded).
- Senate Bill 7 46 (concurrence with House Amendment #1; final action on SB746): Senate concurred (recorded as unanimous: Ayes 33, No 0).
- Senate Bill 4 38 (Solid Waste Task Force; concurrence with House Amendment #2): Senate concurred (unanimous; tally stated \"no nays\").
- Senate Bill 6 44 (concur with House Amendment #1; allows promulgation of rules): Senate concurred (record shows 33 ayes, no nays).
- Senate Bill 11 15 (private prisons provisions; concurrence with House Amendment #3): Senate concurred (recorded unanimous action; no nays recorded).
- House Bill 13 14 (as substituted from Senate Bill 12 96 on final consideration — criminalizing threats/doxing; creates new offenses and penalties): Passed on final consideration (Ayes 29, Nays 3 as recorded).
- House Bill 13 83 (conforming substitute for Senate Bill 13 36; school‑related elections/terms amendment): Passed on third/final consideration (recorded as passed; final tally listed in transcript as 27 ayes, 6 nays for a later similar item; where not specified the transcript shows 'constitutional majority').
- House Bill 7 83 (Hamilton County; local regulation of sober living homes; permissive local authority; compliance with federal civil‑rights laws): Passed unanimously (Ayes 32, No 0 where recorded).
- House Joint Resolution 51 (month of prayer and intermittent fasting — ceremonial): Passed (recorded 27 ayes, 3 nays).
- House Bill 9 69 (recurring transportation funding from tire sales tax revenue to highway fund): Passed unanimously (33 ayes, no nays recorded).
- House Joint Resolution 147 (regulation/restriction or action on kratom — urging strict regulation or ban): Passed (recorded as Ayes 30, No 0 where recorded).
- House Bill 5 77 (stipend increases for certified local jails participating in reentry programs): Passed (recorded unanimous; 33 ayes where roll recorded).
- Senate Bill 2 29 (campaign finance / ethics and related changes; finance committee amendment adopted on the floor): Passed (recorded Ayes 28, Nays 3 where recorded).
- House Joint Resolution 318 (naming Motlow Tunnel entrance in honor of workers who built the state capitol): Passed (tally indicated 32 ayes, no nays where recorded).
- Multiple additional bills and resolutions covering public defender staffing, teacher scholarship adjustments, TRICARE reimbursement grants for National Guard members, Alzheimer respite program extension, and other local and policy‑specific measures were adopted on the floor; many were passed unanimously or by recorded constitutional majorities. When a transcript roll call was printed the tally is noted above; in other cases the entry notes that the motion carried and the motion to reconsider was tabled.

Notes on tallies and missing data: The official clerk’s journal and the Senate roll will carry the formal vote tallies and any omitted bill captions. The transcript captures many roll announcements as members call their votes; where the floor transcript printed a numeric roll result that figure is shown above. For bills where the transcript only recorded the presiding officer’s announcement that a constitutional majority was achieved the tallies are listed as “not specified” here and should be confirmed with the official journal.","On this Senate floor day the chamber approved a mix of bills and resolutions across policy areas, recorded multiple concurrences of House amendments, and cleared several bills on final consideration. The list below summarizes recorded outcomes and available tallies from the floor transcript.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266861,"Senate honors late Morgan County Sheriff Wayne Potter with joint resolution and presentation to family",551,1831000,2382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0&start=1831&end=2382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0/thumbnail_1831000.jpg","/articles/6266861/Tennessee/Senate-honors-late-Morgan-County-Sheriff-Wayne-Potter-with-joint-resolution-and-presentation-to-family","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266861-48125a5fd9e50f66135d97f668e4a7fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969443&Signature=XffHWySy6C3B1uphQUE8wevt8QTfZfYHR37y6KrS3Qvkr3YYBAVBrg2~sHZF~AyHn2CDS~TOoMIqEumho6TcVJcURpBADJtq-0MpyCSJOzIHy6EMHbCn3DxsxNzH367xJMxcZ9nRmZzv3Ne9R23srGkzzxVKWs5pLuGD~hSS3Qbsd~8jXGtPv1Ux5deM5X~Fd-IjJjDUIkDpIpySnlbH8bzOJzowvk0z8CEbijmagttEkwZn0fbcr9rgPA2XiKwqOo3X55UlCr4XCOoynJC5wRbi2Z4soSDkgT3jibyOQYqDNWHsSxMsX93zCLQ4F7X5YAJoFq3kqlKfcymMTU3Zow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate used its opening remarks to present a Senate Joint Resolution honoring the life and public service of the late Sheriff Wayne Potter of Morgan County, who died Feb. 18, 2025. Senators Yeager and others recognized the sheriff and his family on the chamber floor and presented a custom frame and joint resolution passed by both the Senate and the House.

Senator Yeager introduced the sheriff’s family to the chamber and described Potter’s service at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office since 1998, noting roles as a correctional officer, school resource officer, patrolman and narcotics investigator before his election as sheriff in 2018 and re‑election in 2022. Representative Ed Butler (House sponsor) and others joined the presentation on the House side. Sheriff Potter’s widow and children were on the floor; his daughter offered brief remarks thanking the Senate on behalf of the family.

Senators read the resolution and presented the framed proclamation; the clerk recorded adoption of the resolution as a joint Senate action and the family accepted the recognition at the well of the Senate.

Where it stands: The Senate passed the joint resolution and presented the framed proclamation to the family in a ceremony on the floor; the transcript records the family’s remarks and members’ tributes.","Senators presented a Senate Joint Resolution honoring the life and service of the late Sheriff Wayne Potter of Morgan County, and the family accepted a handcrafted framed proclamation on the Senate floor.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266865,"Senate adopts amendment creating mandatory minimum for fentanyl possession and expands related protections",173,10303000,10476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0&start=10303&end=10476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0/thumbnail_10303000.jpg","/articles/6266865/Tennessee/Senate-adopts-amendment-creating-mandatory-minimum-for-fentanyl-possession-and-expands-related-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266865-cbc7f40e806daf2c140064f7aa3ad214/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969443&Signature=dXdb8qq80WQgpB4w-4PSbK~t6yGpJ1Ufuo2eg8fBMCSpcLZLKka-1I44IFVm8jD1Ig1ho87k5x75FbQemLWZIrkjQtQW2klA-N~bHHpz9qEnp39C~vUHQdXtlXMjdDDIzlYZ3sriAPKGwNKAPrVl8aomuEaA5PToLjaB1TQUlBQI~ipSuleBKpTEHso61InoiU8B8C7nnmd0oPrAsBEUl~roFyTdQcB~LgBMVKs9ZDqRTDKgBP3IlnLPhSkCDGRX8h7IJyTPL~ecIj8GBd5ywg1qMigYsDwBX~RSNIkbC2AkFun4uhaiXddLv0f02jS4XN2~vodMPaztA~-FJkkq-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 12 33 was amended on the floor by the Finance/Ways & Means amendment (drafting code cited on the floor). The amendment established a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days imprisonment for a violation of simple possession or casual exchange of fentanyl or fentanyl analogues. The amendment also authorized judicial diversion to certified drug or recovery courts after the mandatory period, prohibited law enforcement from issuing only a misdemeanor citation in lieu of arrest for any amount of fentanyl, and created a new lifetime order‑of‑protection filing option in certain circumstances. The amendment additionally expanded an offense for disturbing a death scene to include items associated with an overdose fatality.

Senator Watson, explaining the finance amendment, said it rewrote the bill to add these sentencing and procedural elements and to create an authorized path for certified treatment programs after the mandatory sentence. The floor then adopted the amendment by voice vote and later adopted the bill as amended; recorded vote on final passage showed unanimous support where recorded and no nays were listed for the amendment adoption step.

Sponsor and supporters argued the changes address the fentanyl overdose crisis by ensuring a baseline custodial sentence while preserving a pathway to treatment; supporters said the provisions remove incentives to avoid arrest and enable prosecutors and courts to seek meaningful accountability. The amendment was presented as a compromise that also allows post‑custodial treatment options through certified drug court programs.

Where it stands: The Senate adopted the finance amendment to SB12 33 and then adopted the bill as amended on third and final consideration. Recorded floor actions show the amendment was adopted and the bill passed; the clerk recorded a unanimous passage on the amendment roll call and a final passage that carried on the floor.","Senators adopted a major amendment to Senate Bill 12 33 that imposes a 30‑day mandatory minimum for simple possession or casual exchange of fentanyl and creates related changes for overdose‑scene offenses and recovery‑court diversion options.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6266870,"Senate adopts bills restricting government DEI programs after floor debate",3278,8819000,12097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0&start=8819&end=12097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3084819-cc30d4beb0ef0ab1cb31dcd4513f9bd0/thumbnail_8819000.jpg","/articles/6266870/Tennessee/Senate-adopts-bills-restricting-government-DEI-programs-after-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6266870-eaf0c27f348b5ccec23daa76a52b0ec9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969443&Signature=QOi4TdukVn4v5mkqE2VAgUDrkfVK~bvz3uDORDdnF0nXoDj3WtM0zeWxKSGHmumwsdEM9Iu0OjuopV~tvbyVky0h-YPDKtar2Q38PxUhNNoo-JkTNWAKxfWqmknfi8rhS7FBthH55COx5JJMTqHy6d31fkfzcNe3OVub310WZPvE24fqFP7Pjxr8TrRBZjqOu07~RfdkfC8j5lwtikvRALmQ6Vu8GyhbqWll1DSi5o6Q~9RFT8Y8EqhnCiAULTRH-WN~iiss8BrSIJFVM4brxoJ2-onK3idayLnUDDUL4RNOIGnfQ~jT7AWitHaFDshjIuzWcjD~6RgyhCKoxIwxxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate considered two companion measures that limit publicly funded diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. House Bill 6 22 (considered as amended on the floor) and Senate Bill 10 84 were debated and adopted on the floor; Senate Bill 10 84 passed with a recorded 26‑6 vote.

Sponsor Leader Johnson described the pair of measures as synchronization with federal guidance and enforcement decisions. He cited a March federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) notice that warned against DEI‑related programs that make employment decisions on the basis of protected characteristics. “This bill will align us with what is taking place at the federal level,” he said, framing the bills as prohibiting employment or service‑delivery actions by state and local government that grant benefits or employment preference on the basis of race, ***, age, or other demographic characteristics rather than individual merit or lawful eligibility.

Opponents including Senators Yarbrough, Lamar and Massey argued the bills would roll back longstanding civil‑rights and fairness protections and could hamper efforts to increase representation and access for historically excluded groups. Senator Yarbrough said the measures “go after statutes, dozens of statutes that have been passed by our predecessors in this body over decades” and warned of constitutional and legal risks.

Senate Bill 10 84’s floor amendment added an explicit prohibition on state agencies operating an office, division or department whose purpose is to promote or require preferences to increase diversity, equity or inclusion. The senator floor record shows the measure passed final consideration with 26 ayes and 6 nays; other related language in House Bill 6 22 was adopted earlier in the day.

What the bills do: They bar executive‑branch entities and local governments from maintaining offices, programs, mandates or hiring or service rules that create “discriminatory preferences” defined in the bills as rules that grant or withhold benefits, opportunities or advantages on the basis of race, ***, age or other demographic categories rather than on merit, qualification, veteran status or lawful eligibility. The sponsor and supporters said the measures do not affect existing protections for veterans, people with disabilities, or other federal/state programs that provide targeted assistance.

The Senate adopted the measures after extended debate. Opponents asked for—and received—assurances from the sponsor and from back‑and‑forth floor exchanges that the bills would not be used to roll back programs explicitly protected elsewhere in state law (for example, programs for workers with disabilities). Supporters argued the measures will protect individuals from unlawful, classification‑based employment decisions in government.

Where it stands: Senate Bill 10 84 passed on third and final consideration (vote recorded 26‑6). House Bill 6 22 also passed the Senate earlier in the day as the companion measure; the transcript records its adoption and that the motion to reconsider was tabled.","The Senate advanced companion measures prohibiting state and local government offices or policies that apply group‑based preferences described as 'DEI' and forbidding use of demographic criteria in public employment decisions; supporters cited federal guidance, opponents called the bills an attack on civil‑rights protections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves new intervention powers for chronically low‑performing districts; Shelby County cited as primary example

Votes at a glance: key Senate floor outcomes and final actions

Senate honors late Morgan County Sheriff Wayne Potter with joint resolution and presentation to family

Senate adopts amendment creating mandatory minimum for fentanyl possession and expands related protections

Senate adopts bills restricting government DEI programs after floor debate