The Tennessee Legislature convened on April 17, 2025, for a House Floor Session focused on several significant legislative measures. The meeting began with a motion regarding the jurisdiction of foreign entities, emphasizing that no foreign or governmental entity should have jurisdiction in the United States or Tennessee without congressional or legislative approval. This motion was renewed by Chairman Rudd and subsequently passed with a vote of 73 in favor and 20 against.

Following this, the assembly moved to Senate Bill 263, which was also passed with a vote of 72 to 20. This bill addresses the taxation of property by the state, proposing an amendment to Article 2, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution to prohibit state-level property taxes. The proposed amendment will be placed on the ballot for the November 2026 general election.

Next, Senate Joint Resolution 1, presented by Chairman Darby, was read for its second reading. This resolution aims to amend the state constitution to further clarify property tax regulations, ensuring that the state cannot levy property taxes while allowing local governments to continue their taxation practices. The resolution was set for a third and final reading on Monday, February 2025.

Chairman Doggett then introduced Senate Joint Resolution 9, which proposes an amendment to Article 1, Section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution concerning the rights of crime victims. This amendment seeks to enhance the rights of victims within the criminal justice system, ensuring they are treated with fairness and dignity, and providing them with various rights throughout legal proceedings. This resolution was also scheduled for a third reading on April 2025.

Lastly, Senate Joint Resolution 25 was presented by Chairman Howe, proposing an amendment to Article 1, Section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution regarding bail. This amendment aims to clarify the conditions under which bail may be granted or denied, particularly for serious offenses. Like the previous resolutions, it will be submitted to voters in the upcoming general election.

In conclusion, the session addressed critical amendments to the Tennessee Constitution, focusing on taxation, crime victim rights, and bail regulations. Each proposed amendment is set to be voted on in the November 2026 general election, marking a significant step in shaping state policy and governance.