The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance (BECF) announced updated campaign contribution limits for 2025-2026. Contributions from individuals increased from $4,900 to $5,300 for statewide candidates and from $1,800 to $1,900 to legislative, other state, and local office candidates. The limit from PACs increased from $14,400 to $15,400 for statewide and House candidates. PAC limits increased from $28,800 to $30,800 for Senate candidates and from $9,400 to $10,100 for other state and local office candidates.

Gov. Lee called for a special session on January 27 to address the Education Freedom Act, disaster relief for Hurricane Helene, and public safety measures related to illegal immigration. The Education Freedom Act aims to establish scholarships, increase teacher pay and bonuses, and increase funding for K-12 education. The Hurricane Helene relief will include upwards of $400 million allocated to various programs to provide immediate and long-term disaster relief to those effected by the hurricane. Finally, public safety measures for illegal immigration are being prepared to coincide with the federal policy planned implementations.

The Tennessee Legislature adjourned sine die on April 25.

Notable passed legislation included a bill to allow armed teachers in classrooms; a bill establishing new penalties for PACs; and a bill providing a $1.9 billion tax cut and refund for businesses.

The tax cut created contention as it was formed to remedy a tax that purportedly violated the constitution’s commerce clause.

Gov. Bill Lee has decided to bring back lawmakers for a special session to address public safety issues.

The governor had proposed legislation during the regular session intended to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

However, the General Assembly adjourned before the legislation was considered.

The special session will take place August 21.

The Tennessee Legislature adjourned sine die on April 21.

Lawmakers succeeded in approving $140 million for school resource officers, along with $3.3 billion for a roads plan backed by Gov. Bill Lee.

The session also prominently featured the partisan expulsions of Democratic Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones.

Republican Rep. Scotty Campbell resigned in the wake of findings by a bipartisan ethics subcommittee that he had violated the General Assembly’s workplace policy on discrimination and harassment.

Gov. Lee also indicated he plans on calling a special session to act on gun reform after it was left unaddressed in this session, with a date still to be announced.

Rep. Scott Campbell submitted his letter of resignation on April 20.

A bipartisan ethics subcommittee found Campbell had violated the Tennessee General Assembly workplace policy on discrimination and harassment after reviewing the results of an internal investigation.

The House Republican Caucus will hold a special election to fill the vacancy created by his departure at a later date.

Q: I am a registered lobbyist in Tennessee and my employer is planning to invite the entire membership of the general assembly to an in-state reception with food and beverages provided. Is this allowed and is there anything else I should know to make sure I am compliant with state laws?

A: Yes, the event is permissible, but there are important reporting requirements to follow.

Lobbyists and employers of lobbyists may provide entertainment, food, refreshments, etc. in connection with an in-state event to which the entire membership of the general assembly has been invited. For 2023 events, the cost per person may not exceed $73 per day.

The lobbyist or employer of lobbyist must file a copy of the invitation with the Ethics Commission at least 7 days before the event and must file an In-State Disclosure form within 30 days after the event detailing the per-person and total cost of the event.

The aggregate total of all in-state events is also reported on the semi-annual lobbyist employer reports.

Proper gift disclosure can involve more than simply including the gift on your normal lobbying disclosure report. It is always a good idea to check the jurisdiction’s specific disclosure requirements on our website prior to giving a gift.

After the expulsion and reappointment of Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, the elections for House districts 52 and 86 have been established.

The special primary election will take place June 15 and the special general election will be held August 3.

The Nashville Metropolitan Council voted unanimously 36-0 to reappoint State Rep. Justin Jones to the House District 52 seat.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners also voted unanimously to reappoint State Rep. Justin Pearson to House District 86 seat.

Jones and Pearson were expelled from the House on April 7 following a protest on the House floor.

Jones and Pearson will serve as interim representatives until the special elections for their seats are held.

State Representatives Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson were officially expelled from the legislature after individual resolutions were brought by Republicans proposing their removal.

A procedural vote cleared the chamber, and the two-thirds vote of the House needed to formally expel the representatives was received.

The lawmakers’ districts comprised the cities of Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis.

Rep. Gloria Johnson also faced expulsion but was not removed as the two-thirds vote failed by a single vote.

Special elections will be held to fill the seats vacated by the two members.

The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance has increased the lobbyist expenditure gift limit from $65 per event to $73.

The annual limit from lobbyist employers has also increased from $130 during a calendar year to $147.

The bureau is required by law to increase the limit every two years.

The law became effective January 16, 2023.

Gov. Bill Lee has set upcoming election dates to fill Tennessee House District 86.

The seat was vacated upon the death of Democratic State Rep. Barbara Cooper in late October at the age of 93.

Tennessee allowed her name to remain on the November ballot where she won.

A primary election will be held on January 24, 2023 with the general election being held on March 14, 2023.

The Tallahassee Commission on Ethics introduced an ordinance to change lobbying rules including a repeal of quarterly compensation reporting and a requirement for lobbyists to begin registering individually rather than by firm.

The commission also adopted a 10-year ban on lobbying for certain felons and a fee resolution raising the current registration fee from $25 to $500.

Ordinance 22-O-20 is scheduled for a second reading and public hearing on September 7.

If passed, the new rules will become effective January 1, 2023.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill requiring certain non-profits to report expenditures of more than $5,000 on communications with the image or name of candidates within 60 days before an election.

Senate Bill 1005 provides exceptions such as communications to members, lobbying during a special session, and communications involving Facebook followers.

This bill also requires political candidates to provide a report of all expenditures over $100 with a cap being set on non-itemized expenses at $2,000 per statement period.

The bill is effective immediately upon the governor’s signature.