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SJR 631

General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Mike Keeney, University of Memphis Board of Trustees -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Confirms Mike Keeney’s appointment to the University of Memphis Board of Trustees, serving through June 30, 2031.

Companion HJR 903 substituted for SJR
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Bill Summary · SJR 631

Summary of Bill: SJR 631 (Session 114) – Tennessee

Title

General Assembly, Confirmation of Appointment - Mike Keeney, University of Memphis Board of Trustees

Purpose and Intent

  • To confirm the appointment of Mike Keeney to the State University Board of the University of Memphis.
  • The resolution formalizes Senate and House concurrence in confirming Keeney’s appointment for a fixed term.

Key Provisions

  • Governing Authority: The University of Memphis is governed by a state university board, per Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 49-8-101.
  • Appointment Process: The governor appoints six members to the state university board of the University of Memphis, per TCA § 49-8-201. At least three gubernatorial appointees must be alumni of the institution served.
  • Appointment Term: Mike Keeney’s term on the board is set to expire on June 30, 2031.
  • Background of Appointee:
    • Profession: Lawyer with practice in Memphis since 1993.
    • Community Involvement: Chair of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority; Chair’s Circle of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce; member of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Commission; Douglas Henry Tennessee State Museum Commission; Tennessee Transportation Modernization Board; University of Memphis Board of Trustees.
    • Other Service: Active in multiple nonprofit boards and the executive committee of the Tennessee Business Leadership Council.
    • Education: J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law (1992); B.A. in Philosophy, Lambuth College (1988).

Affected Parties

  • Mike Keeney: Confirmed as a member of the University of Memphis Board of Trustees.
  • University of Memphis Board of Trustees: Gains a new or continuing member whose term ends in 2031.
  • Tennessee General Assembly: Acts to confirm gubernatorial appointment; this satisfies statutory confirmation requirements (TCA § 49-8-201).

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Confirmation Process: The bill is a Senate Joint Resolution – a formal mechanism for confirmation of a gubernatorial appointment.
  • Term End Date: June 30, 2031.
  • Legislative Schedule Highlights:
    • Introduced and first considered in early February 2026.
    • Passed second consideration and moved to the Senate Education Committee for review (February 2026).
    • Recommended for adoption by the Senate Education Committee (late February 2026).
    • Placed on Senate Consent Calendar for March 9, 2026 (and companion HJR 903 substituted, per action history).
    • Senate vote on consent calendar would lead to House concurrence to finalize confirmation.

Impact and Implications

  • Signals legislative approval of the governor’s appointment, enabling Keeney to serve on the University of Memphis Board of Trustees.
  • Aligns with statutory requirements that at least half of gubernatorial appointees to the board be alumni of the university; Keeney is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee College of Law (not University of Memphis), which is permissible under the statutory framework as a stakeholder with relevant governance experience.
  • No monetary appropriations or direct budgetary changes are contained in this resolution; the impact is governance and oversight of the university’s strategic direction and policies through the board.

Notes

  • The bill is part of a broader process ensuring gubernatorial appointments to key public university governing boards are subject to legislative confirmation.

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

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