The Departments & Agencies Subcommittee of the Tennessee State Legislature convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss several key legislative proposals and initiatives aimed at improving services for veterans and children in the state.

The meeting began with testimony from Eric Gang, a veteran law attorney and author, who praised the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services for its exemplary work. Gang emphasized the need for new innovations to address gaps in services for veterans, particularly in complex legal cases where non-attorney advocacy may fall short. He advocated for a bill that would establish minimum standards for legal representation and create flexible partnerships with the private sector to enhance support for veterans.

Following Gang's testimony, Representative Gillespie expressed his commitment to collaborating with committee members over the summer to refine the proposed legislation. He clarified that while he would be leading the effort, he welcomed participation from other committee members.

The committee then moved on to House Bill 1358, presented by Chairlady Littleton, which proposes the construction of a facility in West Tennessee for children awaiting adjudication on delinquency or unruliness charges. An amendment to the bill aims to reduce the number of beds and lower the fiscal impact, which was discussed and subsequently approved by the committee.

Next, the committee addressed House Bill 94, introduced by Representative Shaw, which seeks to transfer the financial responsibility for autopsies and transportation of state prisoners from Hardeman County to the state. The bill received support from committee members, who acknowledged the state's obligation to cover these costs.

The meeting concluded with a motion to advance the discussed bills to the full committee for further consideration. Overall, the session highlighted the legislature's ongoing efforts to enhance support for vulnerable populations in Tennessee, particularly veterans and children in the justice system.