Sunset Laws - As introduced, extends the Tennessee state veterans' homes board to June 30, 2029; requires the board to report back to the government operations committee by December 31, 2026, to update the committee on its progress in addressing the findings and observations set forth in the December 2025 performance audit report. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 58, Chapter 7.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Justin Lafferty

Extends the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board to 2029 and requires a progress report to lawmakers on audit recommendations by end of 2026, while maintaining funding.

Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

#sunsetlaws

Legislative Bill Summary — HB 1619 (Session 114, Tennessee)

Jurisdiction: Tennessee

Title: Sunset Laws - As introduced, extends the Tennessee state veterans' homes board to June 30, 2029; requires the board to report back to the government operations committee by December 31, 2026, to update the committee on progress addressing findings from the December 2025 performance audit report. Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 58, Chapter 7.

1) Purpose and Intent

Extend the statutory termination date (sunset) of the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board.

Require a formal progress report to a joint evaluation committee regarding implementation of recommendations from a recent performance audit.

Maintain the board’s operations at current funding levels during the extension period.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Sunset Date Extension

Extends the termination date for the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
Note: The Board is governed by the Tennessee Governmental Entity Review Law; under current law, it would terminate in 2026 without this bill.

Mandatory Progress Report

The Board must report to the Education, Health, and General Welfare Joint Evaluation Committee by December 31, 2026.
Report should address progress in responding to findings and observations in the December 2025 performance audit.

Location and Funding

The bill maintains existing funding levels for the Board and its operations.
Fiscal impact is deemed "not significant." The included fiscal notes indicate total expenditures by location (e.g., Executive Office, Clarksville, Cleveland, Humboldt, Knox County, Murfreesboro) across FY23-24 and FY24-25, with a total around $74.8 million rising to about $87.9 million in the next fiscal period.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board

Extended lifespan to operate beyond the current sunset date.
Obligated to prepare and submit a progress report on audit findings.

Tennessee State Veterans' Homes

Operational continuity under the Board’s oversight remains intact.

State Committees

Education, Health, and General Welfare Joint Evaluation Committee would receive the mandated progress report by the specified deadline.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Sunset Extension

Effective extension: June 30, 2029 (Board termination date).

Reporting Deadline

Progress report due: December 31, 2026.

Legislative Path (as reflected in amendments)

The bill updates a section of the Tennessee Code to explicitly include the Tennessee state veterans' homes board within the enumerated governmental entities subject to sunset-related provisions.

Fiscal Notes

Not significant; costs assumed to be covered within current funding and staffing levels.
Expenditure data provided by location in FY23-24 and FY24-25 demonstrates continued funding at established levels.

5) Additional Notes

Co-sponsor: Justin Lafferty

The amendment (Amendment No. 1) to SB 1562 modifies Section 2 to insert the Board into the list of entities covered by the Tennessee sunset review process.

If you’d like, I can provide a quick comparison to the current law (without the extension) and an itemized impact table based on the fiscal notes.