House adopts resolution urging NCAA to change policies after dispute over women's competition

The Tennessee House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 33, a floor resolution introduced by Representative Garrett that urges the National Collegiate Athletic Association to review and change policies concerning competition between biological women and transgender athletes.

Representative Garrett, the resolution’s sponsor, framed the measure around Title IX protections and personal anecdotes from constituents and family members who participate in girls’ sports. "My daughters are competitive volleyball players," Garrett said, and described the issue in terms of competitive safety and fairness. He urged the NCAA "to reverse their asinine rule about allowing men to compete against women." Garrett said the resolution encourages the NCAA to "honor what Title IX says, and to abide by what our federal law says that protects those that are discriminated against under Title IX."

The resolution drew sharply divided exchanges on the floor. Representative Behn criticized the timing and priority of the measure, asking, "are you tired of carrying the culture wars on your backs? I'm so embarrassed that this is the first thing that this body discusses on the floor." Representative Hardaway and others raised procedural and substantive questions about whether the resolution offered concrete solutions beyond urging the NCAA to act.

Supporters framed the resolution as an expression of support for fairness in women's sports and national recognition of the issue. Representative Fritz compared the sponsor’s remarks to historical examples of individual courage and said she "stand[s] in honor of this courageous young lady," referring to the resolution’s focus. Representative Grills spoke of personal motivation, saying he was "happy" to stand and fight "for what is right, what God ordained," and noted family members in the gallery.

Representative Garrett noted that the resolution is not a statute and does not itself create legal penalties or policy; rather it is a formal statement urging the NCAA and related organizations to change their internal rules. The resolution’s text cited federal Title IX protections in its introductory paragraph, and the sponsor repeatedly described the measure as a public appeal to the NCAA.

The House adopted House Resolution 33. The transcript records the motion, subsequent debate and the Clerk’s announcement that a constitutional majority was present and that the resolution was adopted; the transcript excerpt does not contain an unambiguous numeric roll‑call tally in the available text.

Votes at a glance: House Resolution 33 (sponsor: Representative Garrett) — motion to adopt approved; numeric roll‑call totals not specified in the transcript excerpt.

The resolution is a formal expression of the chamber and does not itself change state law; any legislative remedy would require filing of a bill and passage through committee and both chambers of the General Assembly.