Resolution Supporting Dismantling U.S. Department of Education
Summary
The Tennessee General Assembly adopted Senate Joint Resolution 0650 on March 30, 2026, expressing formal support for dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and restoring education authority to state governments. The resolution passed the Senate 27-6 after committee review and was signed by Governor Bill Lee. This non-binding resolution communicates Tennessee's policy position to federal policymakers.
What changed
Tennessee adopted SJR0650, a non-binding joint resolution supporting efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and return education governance to state authority. The resolution passed the Senate with bipartisan support (27-6) on March 30, 2026, and reflects the state's formal policy position on federal education governance.
This resolution creates no legal obligations, enforcement mechanisms, or compliance requirements. It is purely symbolic, expressing Tennessee's policy stance to Congress and federal agencies. No action is required by any regulated entity, and there are no penalties or deadlines associated with this measure.
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Tennessee / SJR0650 Signed by Governor SJR0650 Senate Joint Resolution Signed by Governor 2026-03-30
A RESOLUTION to support the effort to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and restore authority over education to the states.
Supports efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and restore authority over education to the states.
Bill Details
State Tennessee
Session 114th General Assembly
Chamber Senate
Official Source wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Jack Johnson (Sen - R) John Stevens (Sen - R) Paul Bailey (Sen - R) Janince Bowling (Sen - R) Rusty Crowe (Sen - R) Joseph Hensley (Sen - R) Bill Powers (Sen - R) Shane Reeves (Sen - R) Paul Rose (Sen - R) Jessie Seal (Sen - R) Brent Taylor (Sen - R) Page Walley (Sen - R) Adam Lowe (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-02 H Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee 2026-04-02 H Ref. to Education Committee 2026-03-30 S Engrossed; ready for transmission to House 2026-03-30 S Sponsor(s) Added. 2026-03-30 S Adopted, Ayes 27, Nays 6 2026-03-27 S Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026 2026-03-24 S Sponsor(s) Added. 2026-03-24 S Recommended for adoption by Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, refer Senate Calendar Committee 2026-03-17 S Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/24/2026 2026-03-17 S Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/24/2026 2026-03-10 S Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/17/2026 2026-02-05 S Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee 2026-02-02 S Introduced, Passed on First Consideration 2026-02-02 S Filed for introduction
Votes
2026-03-24 SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for adoption by Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, refer Senate Calendar Committee Yea: 9 Nay: 2 2026-03-30 FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt Yea: 27 Nay: 6
Committee Referrals
2026-02-05 S Finance, Ways and Means 2026-04-02 H Education
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-02 Draft
Subjects
General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Government General alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Tennessee Legislative Events publishes new changes.