Education - As introduced, requires the office of research and education accountability in the office of the comptroller of the treasury to submit a copy of its annual report detailing the results of certain tests administered to recipients of education freedom scholarships to the legislative librarian. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Pody

Requires OREA’s annual report on education freedom scholarship test results to be submitted to the Legislative Librarian in addition to existing recipients.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee

#education

Basic Information

Bill number: SB 2309 (Senate); HB 2237 (House)

Sponsor: Sen. Mark Pody (with House sponsor Hurt)

Jurisdiction: Tennessee

Title: Education — As introduced, requires the Office of Research and Education Accountability in the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury to submit a copy of its annual report detailing the results of certain tests administered to recipients of education freedom scholarships to the legislative librarian.

Subject: Amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 (education), regarding school choice

Purpose and Intent

The bill adds a procedural requirement to ensure transparency and accessibility of the annual report produced by the Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) within the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury.

Specifically, it requires a copy of OREA’s annual report (which details the results of certain tests administered to recipients of education freedom scholarships) to be submitted to the Legislative Librarian in addition to existing recipients or channels.

Key Provisions

New reporting requirement (added to TCA 49-6-3507(c)):

A copy of OREA’s annual report that details results of tests administered to recipients of education freedom scholarships must be submitted to the Legislative Librarian.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon becoming law, as public welfare requiring it.

Other provisions unchanged: The bill does not encounter or alter other existing statutes or terms related to education freedom scholarships beyond the reporting disclosure requirement.

Who/What is Affected

Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) within the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury: Responsible for compiling and releasing the annual test-result report on education freedom scholarship recipients.

Legislative Librarian: The designated recipient for a copy of the annual report.

Readers/Legislators: Access to the annual report is enhanced through another official channel, potentially increasing accessibility for lawmakers and staff.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Legislative path and status:

Introduced and passed House on first consideration (HB 2237) and Senate on second consideration (SB 2309) as of February 2026. Passed on Second Consideration in the Senate and referred to Senate Education Committee, with the companion House bill advancing through its usual process.

Fiscal impact:

Not significant: Fiscal Note indicates no significant impact to state or local government operations; any impact would be minimal.

Effective date: Immediate upon becoming law (no delayed effective date).

Practical Implications

Enhances transparency by ensuring the Legislative Librarian receives a copy of the annual OREA report on education freedom scholarship test results.

Could facilitate easier public and legislative access through a formal library channel, complementing other dissemination methods.

No changes to scholarship programs or funding mechanisms themselves; the change is strictly procedural regarding reporting delivery.

Bill