Tennessee State Senate

Tennessee State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 13, 2026
Session end:	April 24, 2026
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$33,060/year + per diem
Members
Total:	33
Democrats:	6
Republicans:	27
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Randy McNally (R)
Maj. Leader:	Jack Johnson (R)
Min. Leader:	Raumesh Akbari (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Tennessee State Senate is the upper chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly. Alongside the Tennessee House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Tennessee state government and works alongside the governor of Tennessee to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Tennessee State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Tennessee State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Nashville, Tennessee.

A total of 17 seats out of the state Senate's 33 seats are up for election in 2026.

A total of 16 seats out of the state Senate's 33 seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican supermajority remained 27-6.

Tennessee has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Tennessee State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Tennessee State Senate as of January 2026:

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The membership of the Senate elects a presiding officer, known as the speaker of the Senate. The speaker also serves as lieutenant governor. The speaker appoints the officers of the Senate as well as the officers and membership of the standing committees.^[1]

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Randy McNally (R)
• Senate president pro tempore: Ferrell Haile (R)
• Majority leader: Jack Johnson (R)
• Minority leader: Raumesh Akbari (D)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2025[2]
Salary	Per diem
$33,060/year	$379.44/day. Legislators living within 50 miles of the Capitol receive a reduced amount of $86 per day.

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Tennessee legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.^[3]

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Tennessee State Senate, a candidate must:^[4]

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least 30 years old before the general election
• Have resided in Tennessee for at least 3 years before the general election
• Have resided in the county or district to be represented for at least 1 year, immediately preceding the election
• Be a qualified voter in the county or district to be represented

The following groups of people are ineligible to run for office:^[4]

• Those who have been convicted of offering or giving a bribe, or of larceny, or any other offense declared infamous by law, unless restored to citizenship in the mode pointed out by law;
• Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them, in any official capacity, due to the United States, to this state, or any county thereof;
• Those who are defaulters to the treasury at the time of the election (the election of any such person shall be void);
• Soldiers, seamen, marines, or airmen in the regular army or navy or air force of the United States; and
• Members of congress, and persons holding any office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state of the union, or under the United States.

Historical party control[edit]

Republicans won control of the Tennessee State Senate in 2004. In 2024, they won a 27-6 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Tennessee Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Tennessee State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	19	18	18	18	18	18	16	16	14	13	7	6	5	5	6	6	6
Republicans	14	15	15	15	15	15	17	17	19	20	26	27	28	28	27	27	27

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Tennessee was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992-1994, 2003-2004
• Republican trifecta: 2011-2023
• Divided government: 1995-2002, 2005-2010

Tennessee Party Control: 1992-2025
Five years of Democratic trifectas  •  Fifteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Tennessee state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Tennessee holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Tennessee State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is August 6, 2026. The filing deadline is March 10, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 1, 2024. The filing deadline was April 4, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, the partisan balance of the Tennessee State Senate did not change.

Tennessee State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	6	6
	Republican Party	27	27
Total		33	33

2022[edit]

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2022. The filing deadline was April 14, 2022. The filing deadline was originally scheduled for April 7, 2022, but was rescheduled for May 5, 2022, after a judicial panel ordered the Senate maps be redrawn. This decision was appealed and reversed and the filing deadline for the state Senate was changed to April 14, 2022. ^[5][6]

In the 2022 elections, the partisan balance of the Tennessee State Senate did not change.

Tennessee State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	6	6
	Republican Party	27	27
Total		33	33

2020[edit]

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 6, 2020. The filing deadline was April 2, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, the Republican majority in the Tennessee State Senate decreased by one senator.

Tennessee State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	5	6
	Republican Party	28	27
Total		33	33

2018[edit]

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on August 2, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2018.^[7]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Tennessee State Senate from 26-4 to 28-5.

Tennessee State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	4	5
	Republican Party	26	28
	Vacancy	3	0
Total		33	33

2016[edit]

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016. A total of 16 seats out of the 33 seats in the Tennessee State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 28-5 majority. No changes occurred to the partisan balance of the chamber.

Tennessee State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	5	5
	Republican Party	28	28
Total		33	33

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for 18 seats in the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. A general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-6 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 27-6 majority. Tennessee State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 6 6      Republican Party 26 27      Vacancy 1 0 Total 33 33 2012[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 2, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2012. A total of 16 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 20-13 majority. Republicans gained six seats in the election, giving them a 26-7 majority. Tennessee State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 13 7      Republican Party 20 26 Total 33 33 The following table details the eight districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Tennessee State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 22 Mark Green 6.2% 60,220 Tim Barnes District 20 Steven Dickerson 8.2% 85,534 Phillip North District 10 Todd Gardenhire 8.6% 67,302 Andrae McGary District 28 Joey Hensley 10.3% 67,736 Tyler Cobb District 24 John Stevens 12.9% 68,474 Brad Thompson District 26 Dolores Gresham 20.9% 71,121 Meryl Rice District 16 Janice Bowling 25.9% 63,775 Jim Lewis District 6 Becky Duncan Massey 37.3% 72,435 Evelyn Gill 2010[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 5, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was April 1, 2010. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 19-14 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 20-13 majority. Tennessee State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 14 13      Republican Party 19 20 Total 33 33 In 2010, the candidates for state Senate raised a total of $4,275,730 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[8] 2010 Donors, Tennessee State Senate Donor Amount Henry, Douglas $314,500 Tennessee Democratic Party $120,434 Herron, Governor Roy $116,058 Tennessee Medical Association $98,600 McDonald, George $83,100 Federal Express $82,300 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association $61,250 Tennessee Bankers Association $52,500 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee $46,000 Farris Mathews Branan Bobango & Hellen $44,050 2008[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,905,028. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2008 Donors, Tennessee State Senate Donor Amount Tennessee Legislative Campaign Cmte $235,338 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association $197,000 Senate Republican Caucus of Tennessee $129,500 Tennessee Medical Association $116,750 Tennessee Association of Realtors $115,000 Tennessee Keep Your Legislature Efficient $107,400 Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 572 $98,775 Senate Democratic Caucus of Tennessee $96,200 Federal Express $94,551 Tennessee Healthcare Association $84,500 2006[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 3, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $5,784,749. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2006 Donors, Tennessee State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democratic Caucus of Tennessee $235,654 Senate Republican Caucus of Tennessee $214,000 Throckmorton III, Ray (Chip) T $161,616 Neill, Tom $133,618 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association $112,500 Johnson, Jack $110,100 Federal Express $79,100 Tennessee Medical Association $71,700 Tennessee Republican Caucus $70,000 National Healthcare Corp $67,500 2004[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 5, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,713,113. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2004 Donors, Tennessee State Senate Donor Amount Wilder Sr, John S $335,000 Tennessee Legislative Campaign Cmte $283,382 Senate Democratic Caucus of Tennessee $160,800 Graves, Jo Ann $120,850 Finney, Raymond $94,385 Tennessee Conservative PAC $93,500 Federal Express $78,250 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association $68,000 Senate Republican Caucus $65,000 Tennessee Medical Association $60,250 2002[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 1, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $3,260,212. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2002 Donors, Tennessee State Senate Donor Amount Tennessee Legislative Campaign Cmte $174,377 Senate Democratic Caucus Of Tennessee $146,299 Tennessee Democratic Party $92,056 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association $92,000 Tennessee Medical Association $66,679 Tennessee Education Association $60,311 Tennessee Employees Action Movement $53,000 National Healthcare Corp $48,500 Federal Express $43,250 Tennessee Bankers Association $43,000 2000[edit] See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Tennessee State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 3, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $5,777,169. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2000 Donors, Tennessee State Senate Donor Amount Tennessee Republican Assembly PAC $106,650 Senate Democratic Caucus of Tennessee $105,647 Jackson, Douglas $101,700 Wall, Howard D $101,150 Tennessee Legislative Campaign Cmte $96,893 Tennessee Democratic Party $96,215 Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association $94,707 Wilder, John $80,000 Tennessee Education Association $54,441 Tennessee Employees Action Movement $50,000

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Tennessee General Assembly, there are two ways a vacancy can be filled. When twelve months or more remain before the next general election, a special election must be held within the allowable time frame set by law. If fewer than twelve months remain before the next general election, members of the legislative body in the county where the vacancy occurred must vote on a replacement.^[14]

See sources: Tennessee Const. Art. 2, Sec. 15

District map[edit]

See also: Tennessee state legislative districts

The state of Tennessee has 33 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Tennessee

In Tennessee, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.^[15]

The Tennessee Constitution requires that state Senate districts "preserve counties whole where possible." State statutes mandate that no more than 30 counties may be split across districts. Furthermore, state law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.^[15]

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Tennessee after the 2020 census

On December 10, 2025, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's state legislative maps.^[16] On November 22, 2023, the Davidson County Chancery Court had struck down the state Senate map, declaring it unconstitutional. The court ordered the state to create a new state Senate map by January 31, 2024.^[17] On April 13, 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a ruling by the Davidson County Chancery Court on April 6, blocking the same state Senate map. Gov. Lee signed the state's legislative districts into law on February 6, 2022.^[18]

District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

This map took effect for Tennessee's 2022 legislative elections.

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Tennessee after the 2010 census

Tennessee received its local census data on March 16, 2011.^[19] The state's population rose 11.5 percent to 6,346,105.^[20]

The redistricting process began in January 2012; it was the first time in the state's history where the process was controlled entirely by Republicans. The Tennessee House of Representatives passed its redistricting map on a 67-25 vote, and Gov. Bill Haslam (R) signed it into law on January 26, 2012.^[21][22] The State Senate map was passed on January 13, 2012, and signed into law on February 9, 2012.^[23][24] House Democrats filed a lawsuit in March, arguing that the House map unnecessarily split too many counties.

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Tennessee State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Tennessee by year[edit]

2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2025, and adjourn on April 22, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024[edit] See also: 2024 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on April 25, 2024. 2023[edit] See also: 2023 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on April 21, 2023. 2022[edit] See also: 2022 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on April 28, 2022. 2021[edit] See also: 2021 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 5, 2021. 2020[edit] See also: 2020 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 19, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit] See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Tennessee State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 19, 2020, until June 1, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 19, 2020. A special session convened on August 10, 2020, and adjourned on August 12, 2020.[25] 2019[edit] See also: 2019 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 2, 2019. 2018[edit] See also: 2018 Tennessee legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through April 27, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 10, 2017. 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through April 22. The legislature held a special session from September 12 to September 14 to repeal a DUI bill that threatened to remove $60 million in federal funding. 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through April 22. Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues for the 2015 legislative session included health, education, and finances.[26] Of particular focus was Governor Bill Haslam's (R) "Insure Tennessee" plan. The two-year pilot program would give access to healthcare coverage to those living in the state that do not currently have health insurance or had limited options.[27] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through April 18. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included education, guns in work parking lots, and requiring prescriptions for drugs used to make methamphetamine. 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to April 19. Republicans had a supermajority for the first time since the Civil War era. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included guns, school vouchers, and tax cuts to wine in grocery stores.[28] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10 through May 1. Major issues in 2012[edit] Republican legislators began the session by passing new congressional and state legislative maps. Major issues in the session included job creation and eliminating policies and regulations that restrict businesses, including the inheritance tax, and reforming unemployment insurance. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 11 through May 21.[29] 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in regular session from January 12th to June 10th. Additionally, the legislature met in special session from January 12th to January 25th to deal with educational issues related to race to the top funds.[30]

About legislative sessions in Tennessee[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[31] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

The Tennessee General Assembly, which the Senate is a part of, convenes on the second Tuesday in January on the years following elections as outlined by Article II, Section 8 of the Tennessee Constitution. The legislature is limited to 90 paid legislative days within a two-year term.

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Tennessee are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? A majority of members in both chambers.

A simple majority of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 50 of the 99 members in the Tennessee House of Representatives and 17 of the 33 members in the Tennessee State Senate. Tennessee is one of six states that requires a majority vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden in a special session called by the legislature.[32] Two-thirds of members in both chambers must agree to call for a special session.[33]

Authority: Article III, Section 18 of the Tennessee Constitution.

"Every bill which may pass both Houses of the General Assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor for his signature. If he approve, he shall sign it, and the same shall become a law; but if he refuse to sign it, he shall return it with his objections thereto, in writing, to the house in which it originated; and said House shall cause said objections to be entered at large upon its journal, and proceed to reconsider the bill. If after such reconsideration, a majority of all the members elected to that House shall agree to pass the bill, notwithstanding the objections of the executive, it shall be sent, with said objections, to the other House, by which it shall be likewise reconsidered. If approved by a majority of the whole number elected to that House, it shall become a law."

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Tennessee state budget and finances

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The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[34]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by October 1.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by February 1. The deadline for new governors is March 1.
4. The legislature typically adopts a budget between April and June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Tennessee is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[34][35]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to adopt a balanced budget.^[34]

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Tennessee state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Tennessee State Senate has nine standing committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Tennessee Constitution can be amended:

See also: Section 3 of Article XI of the Tennessee Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Tennessee

The Tennessee Constitution can be amended in two ways—through the legislative process, or a state constitutional convention.

Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

In Tennessee, the state Legislature must pass a constitutional amendment during two successive legislative sessions with an election in between. During the first legislative session, a simple majority vote is required in both legislative chambers. During the second legislative session, a two-thirds vote is required in both legislative chambers. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. In Tennessee, amendments must be placed on general election ballots in which there is also a gubernatorial election.

The required legislative votes per session, assuming no vacancies, are listed below:

Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 3 of Article XI of the Tennessee Constitution, the state Legislature can vote to refer a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote is required in the Legislature.

See also[edit]

Elections	Tennessee State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Tennessee State Senate elections, 2026 Tennessee State Senate elections, 2024 Tennessee State Senate elections, 2022 Tennessee State Senate elections, 2020	Tennessee General Assembly Tennessee House of Representatives Governor of Tennessee Tennessee Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2026 State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Tennessee State Senate

Footnotes[edit]

	v • e State of Tennessee Nashville (capital)
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