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HB 637

Education, Higher - As introduced, deletes an obsolete requirement for the University of Memphis and certain other collaborators on the Memphis Research Consortium to provide a progress report to the general assembly. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 8; Title 9; Title 11; Title 12; Title 49; Title 58; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

HB 637 eliminates the University of Memphis and Memphis Research Consortium's obsolete requirement to report progress to the Tennessee General Assembly.

P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
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Bill Summary · HB 637

Legislative bill overview

HB 637 removes an outdated statutory requirement for the University of Memphis and Memphis Research Consortium collaborators to submit progress reports to the Tennessee General Assembly. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated to eliminate this reporting obligation, which appears to be a legacy requirement no longer deemed necessary.

Why is this important

This is primarily a housekeeping measure that streamlines state statute by removing defunct administrative requirements. However, it represents a reduction in legislative oversight and transparency regarding research activities and public university accountability, even if the requirement was rarely used or enforced.

Potential points of contention

  • Reduced transparency: Removing reporting requirements could decrease legislative visibility into how the Memphis Research Consortium operates and uses resources
  • Scope of amendments: The bill amends 10 different Tennessee Code titles, suggesting broader implications than the summary indicates; the full extent of changes is unclear from the introduction
  • Definition of "obsolete": Disagreement may exist over whether this requirement was truly obsolete or whether it should be modernized rather than eliminated entirely

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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