How does the Tennessee General Assembly work?

How a Bill Becomes a Law in Tennessee

• A Representative and a Senator introduce companion bills in their respective legislative bodies.

• Bills are referred to committees (subcommittees) where they are studied, debated, and voted upon. Sometimes bills are amended in committees. Public comment can be heard in committee.

• Bills that pass in committees are sent to the House or Senate floor where they are debated and voted upon by the full body of legislators. Bills can be amended here too and may go back and forth between the House and Senate until the two agree on the final bill.

• The Speaker of the House and the Speaker of the Senate then sign the bills and send them to the Governor for action. The Governor can sign the bill into law, veto the bill, or let it sit on his or her desk where it will automatically become law after 10 days.

What about Resolutions?

Resolutions can be House Resolutions (HR), Senate Resolutions (SR), or Joint Resolutions (HJR or SJR). Most resolutions are used for internal housekeeping, commemorating events, honoring individuals, or stating the position of the General Assembly on a particular issue. Most resolutions are non-binding. They are statements or expressions of intent, and they do not go through the formal legislative process that leads to the Governor’s signature. Others are binding only within the General Assembly, such as procedural resolutions. However, some resolutions are considered substantive and require the same legislative process as a bill. A resolution to amend the Constitution of Tennessee would be a substantive resolution.

How Does an Amendment Get Added to the Constitution of Tennessee?

An amendment to the Constitution must be passed in 2 consecutive legislative sessions and then be placed on a general election ballot in a year where there is an election for Governor.