Veterans Services, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to conduct a study that includes an evaluation of county veterans service office resources; the identification of underserved areas; operational capacity;, the official text

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Slate f/Jennessee

                              PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 872

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 2483

                                                   By Bowling, Rose, Taylor

                                            Substituted for: House Bill No. 2143

 By Glynn, Reneau, Hurt, Fritts, Dixie, Parkinson, Camper, Reedy, Moon, Pearson, Moody, Russell,
 Butler, Love, Powers, Helton-Haynes, Barrett, Harris, Hale, Wright, Davis, Powell, Cepicky, Lafferty

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 25 and Title 58, Chapter 3, relative
          to veterans services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 3, is amended by adding the
following as a new section:

                    (a) The department of veterans services shall conduct a study within the existing
          resources of the department that includes:

                              (1) An evaluation of county veterans service office resources, including:

                                        (A) Current county veterans service officer (CVSO) staffing levels;

                                        (8) Accreditation status of office personnel;

                                        (C) The hours of operation of such offices; and

                                        (D) CVSO office budget levels and funding sources;

                              (2) The identification of underserved areas, including:

                                        (A) An analysis of veteran population by county;

                                        (8) A comparison of veteran population numbers based on accredited
                              CVSOs; and

                                        (C) The identification of counties or regions without a full-time CVSO;

                              (3) Operational capacity, including a review and compilation of county-level
                    workload productivity metrics;

                              (4) Local outreach efforts, community outreach events, partnerships, and
                    other entities providing, or sources of, assistance for veterans at the local level; and

                              (5) The identification of potential funding mechanisms to support local
                    veterans service offices.

                    (b) The department shall compile a report of the study conducted pursuant to
          subsection (a) and submit the report to the governor and the speakers of the senate and
          house of representatives no later than December 31, 2026.

                    (c) This section is deleted on January 1, 2027.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 2483

PASSED:  April 13, 2026

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                                    SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

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                             CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
                             HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this {)7tl. day of Ppcl f                                                      2026

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                     ,BILL LEE, GOVERNOR