Senator Joey Hensley, MD

The 113th General Assembly has adjourned for 2024, and it was a very successful year. We have taken measures for Tennessee to be a better place to live, work and to raise a family. This is some of the legislation that was passed during this session.

Veterans / First Responders

Bonuses for skilled military personnel - A new law this year allows the Department of Military to administer a critical skills retention bonus program to fill critical military operations specialties within the Tennessee National Guard. It also codified partial paid coverage for those who are called into active duty. This law helps recruit and retain Tennessee National Guard service members with specialized skills. The measure also ensures that service members do not suffer financially when called to active duty.

Updates to workers’ comp. benefits for Tennessee National Guard - The Tennessee General assembly passed a law requiring workers’ compensation injury or death benefits for National Guard members to be based on whichever compensation rate is higher between their civilian wages and active duty wages. Under previous law, when a National Guard member was injured while on active state duty, their workers’ compensation benefits were based on their Guard pay, regardless of if their civilian wages were higher.

Disabled motorcycle license plates - A new law authorizes disabled decals for motorcycle license plates. This law aims to benefit veterans and other Tennessee residents who are considered disabled but are still fully capable of operating a motorcycle.

Veteran Treatment Court Program – A new law requires the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS) to compile an annual report on the status of Veterans Treatment Court Program grant funds. The report must be provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Civil Justice Committee on before February 1 of each year. The report must include information on the amount of each grant authorized since the previous report, the name of the county receiving the benefit of the grant, and the total outstanding grants.

These programs have helped many veterans through rehabilitation and mental health struggles they often face. The report will help lawmakers make more informed decisions about the program.

Anti-Terrorism

Support for Israel - Tennessee lawmakers expressed their strong support for the state of Israel this year through passage of a resolution. The measure resolution conveys strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself from the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on the Jewish nation. On that day, Hamas terrorists brutally murdered 1,200 Israeli civilians and took over 200 hostages.

Following the attack, Israel declared war against Hamas and has been defending its country and people and vowed to end Hamas. Israel has been a strong ally of the United States of America for over 75 years. Tennessee recognizes the importance of Israel and the value of sustained friendship.

Prohibiting terrorist organizations from using

taxpayer funded spaces -

Tennessee lawmakers passed a new law that prevents taxpayer funded forums from knowingly allowing spaces for terrorist organizations to meet. The law creates a Class E felony offense, punishable by a fine of up to $3,000, for an entity receiving public funds to knowingly provide meeting spaces or other forums, including electronic and print platforms, that are used to solicit support for terrorist organizations.

Under Tennessee law, terrorist organizations include any entity designated by the United States Department of State as a foreign terrorist organization or by the United States Department of the Treasury as a specially designated national terrorist state.

Official State Symbols and Designations

Hot slaw - This year hot slaw was a hot topic. Lawmakers passed a law that made hot slaw an official state food and designated Cleveland, Tennessee as the state’s “hot slaw” capital.

Women Veterans Appreciation Day - The General Assembly adopted a resolution dedicating June 12, 2024 as Women Veterans Appreciation Day.

Designating 10 State Books - Tennessee has many official state symbols ranging from flowers to songs. This year lawmakers designated 10 different books – written largely by Tennessee authors – as official state books. The books center around the history of the United States, democracy and Tennessee culture. Among the proposed state books are All the King’s Men by Tennessean Robert Penn Warren; The Civil War: A Narrative by renowned historian from Memphis Shelby Foote; Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton; and the Aitken Bible which was the first English Bible printed in America in 1782.

D-Day Remembrance Day - Lawmakers designated June 6 of every year as D-Day Remembrance Day in Tennessee. The law honors the anniversary of the Allied invasion of France during World War II on June 6, 1944. Nearly 133,000 troops from the United States, the British Commonwealth and their allies took part in the largest amphibious invasion in military history. More than 10,000 casualties occurred. D-Day Remembrance Day honors their sacrifice and efforts to liberate Europe from the tyranny of the Nazi Germany regime.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” becomes newest state song – Tennessee currently has 14 state songs, and this year lawmakers passed a law that names “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee as the official state holiday song for Tennessee.

November is Christian Heritage Month - Lawmakers set aside the month of November to recognize the historical and cultural significance of Christianity in the founding of the state and country.

You May Contact Senator Hensley at

425 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Suite 742

Nashville TN 37243

615-741-3100

Toll Free 1-800-449-8366 ext. 13100

Fax 615-253-0231

855 Summertown Highway

Hohenwald TN 38462

Phone 931-796-2018

Cell Phone 931-212-8823

E-mail: [email protected]