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SB 1915

Immigration - As introduced, adds local governments to the entities that must verify that each applicant for public benefits is a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States; authorizes the attorney general and reporter to investigate violations of requirements for verification of citizenship or presence for public benefits; requires certain reporting related to such verification for benefits. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1 and Title 4, Chapter 58.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ed Jackson

SB 1915 requires Tennessee local governments to verify citizenship for public benefits applicants and authorizes attorney general investigations into compliance violations.

Enrolled and ready for signatures
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Bill Summary · SB 1915

Legislative bill overview

SB 1915 expands citizenship verification requirements to local governments administering public benefits programs, mirroring existing state-level verification obligations. It also grants the Tennessee Attorney General and Comptroller authority to investigate compliance violations and establishes reporting requirements for verification activities.

Why is this important

This legislation shifts administrative burden and compliance responsibility to county and municipal governments, which may require new verification systems, staff training, and documentation procedures. The bill directly affects access to local public benefits and creates potential legal liability for local officials regarding enforcement accuracy.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and feasibility: Local governments may lack existing infrastructure to verify citizenship/lawful presence, raising questions about who funds system development and ongoing compliance costs
  • Privacy and data security concerns: Expanded verification systems require collecting and storing sensitive documentation, creating data breach risks and potential misuse concerns
  • Eligibility determination complexity: Verification processes may create delays or denials for eligible applicants, particularly those with incomplete documentation despite lawful status
  • Enforcement disparity: Without standardized guidelines, different jurisdictions may apply verification requirements inconsistently, creating unequal access across the state
  • Legal exposure: Local officials could face litigation over wrongful benefit denials or privacy violations during investigations

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

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