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SB 797

State Employees - As enacted, clarifies that full-time employees of the general assembly are eligible for a waiver of tuition and fees for purposes of continuing education for more than one course at a time if the employees work more hours each week than typically required of full-time employment for at least four weeks per year. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 50.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ferrell Haile

Tennessee allows overtime-working General Assembly employees to waive tuition for multiple continuing education courses simultaneously, effective April 2025.

Pub. Ch. 121
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Bill Summary · SB 797

Legislative bill overview

SB 797 expands tuition waiver eligibility for full-time Tennessee General Assembly employees by allowing them to pursue multiple continuing education courses simultaneously, provided they work overtime (more than standard full-time hours) for at least four weeks annually. The bill amends existing state employee education benefit laws to clarify and broaden access to these educational benefits.

Why is this important

This change directly affects legislative staff professional development and career advancement opportunities, potentially improving workforce quality and employee retention in state government. It recognizes that overtime work should qualify employees for enhanced educational benefits, creating an incentive structure for dedicated public service work.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Expanding tuition waivers increases state education benefit expenditures, though the scope is limited to General Assembly employees
  • Fairness questions: Other state employees working overtime may not receive similar multi-course waiver benefits, raising equity concerns across different state agencies
  • Definitional clarity: The "four weeks per year" overtime threshold could be interpreted variably and may lack consistent enforcement mechanisms

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

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