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Tennessee Senate

Bo Watson

Republican. Senate, district 11.

Emailsen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov
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Official record 1https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=S11
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Official record 2https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member?district=S11
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Official record 3https://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s11.html
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Bills they sponsored

91 bills sponsored this session

authorizes the board of directors of a rail service authority to submit each annual report electronically. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 45; Title 49; Title 54 and Title 67SB 2350 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires the state board of education, in consultation with the department of education, to qualify an advanced degree in media and technology as an advanced degree that leads to a SB 2348 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Signed by Governor.
Education - As enacted, requires the department of education to implement a pilot program to evaluate whether administering fewer district- and state-mandated assessments results in students achieving greater academic suSB 2317 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
requires an establishment resolution adopted by the governing body of a municipality to form an infrastructure development district to include an itemization of the funded costs for infrastructure related to each utilitySB 2218 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
Banks and Financial Institutions - As enacted, clarifies that the service of transmitting money from a location originating in this state to a location outside of the United States or its territories is a taxable serviceSB 2166 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Companion House Bill substituted
establishes the Tennessee commission of insurance review; prohibits a health insurance entity from offering or maintaining a health benefit plan that uses downcoding in a manner that prevents the provider from collectingSB 2155 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Failed in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
specifies that the presiding officer of the local government planning advisory committee must promptly notify, or cause to be notified, the appointing authority of a member who fails to attend three consecutive committeeSB 2154 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
deletes an obsolete requirement that the commissioner conduct a study of this state's insurance laws to determine what impediments, if any, exist that may be acting as deterrents for insurance companies in this state to SB 2084 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
Public Health - As enacted, provides that any certificate of public advantage in effect on June 30, 2028, automatically expires but any pricing restrictions in a certificate of advantage remain in effect until the fifth SB 2414 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed by Governor.
Health Care - As enacted, specifies that a good faith disclosure of information related to an activity of a quality improvement committee (QIC) made by a healthcare provider or healthcare organization to a patient or a fSB 2413 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Education - As enacted, makes various changes and additions to present law concerning public education. - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 49, Chapter 13; Title 49, Chapter 2; Title 49, Chapter 3 and Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 3SB 2351 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
requires departments, agencies, and other state governmental entities to make information and records available, including by means of direct electronic access, to the staff of the general assembly's fiscal review commitSB 2330 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee
Economic and Community Development - As enacted, vacates and reconstitutes the board of directors of the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation. - Amends TCA Title 4. Companion bill has been assigned Public ChapterSB 2316 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Companion House Bill substituted
clarifies that the department of human services must provide applicants with a written notice of temporary assistance eligibility determinations. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 71SB 2198 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
increases the employer contribution under the hybrid retirement plan from 5 percent to 10 percent for current members of the general assembly who have 10 years of creditable service on or after July 1, 2026. - Amends TCASB 2192 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
Show all 91
Local Government, General - As enacted, authorizes counties with a metropolitan form of government, by resolution of their governing bodies, to levy a tax on the retail sale of food and food ingredients for human consumpSB 2160 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Education, Higher - As enacted, caps at $10 million per fiscal year the total amount of funds in the lottery for education account that may be transferred to the Tennessee Promise scholarship special reserve account. - ASB 2159 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed by Governor.
General Assembly - As enacted, revises and clarifies procedures of the joint committee on ways and means, including authorizing the committee to issue notice that a hearing will not be held or to hold a hearing to reviewSB 2158 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed by Governor.
Tourism - As enacted, requires the department of tourist development to promulgate rules designating tourism development zones in this state as economic protection zones; places certain limitations on a local government SB 2157 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Education - As enacted, enacts the "Better Spending, Better Schools Act of 2026." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 49 and Title 67. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 1007 by the Secretary of StatSB 2072 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, enacts the "Stopping Health Insurers from Excluding Legal Decisions (SHIELD) Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71. SB2070 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 797SB 2070 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed by Governor.
allocates 30 percent of the revenue from taxes on vapor products to counties in equal amounts to be used for youth nicotine prevention programs and services. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10SB 2066 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Children - As enacted, establishes the children's digital protection fund within the state treasury. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2. SB2061 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 1114 by the Secretary of StateSB 2061 · this session · introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed by Governor.
directs the first $150 million of tax revenue generated by the health maintenance organization tax on or after July 1, 2026, to be utilized to draw down federal funds to reimburse a physician, advanced practice registereSB 2080 · this session · introduced Jan 23, 2026
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, increases from three to five the maximum number of nonrelated persons in a home for the aged to be considered a tier 1 home for the aged; increases from four to six the SB 2083 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Signed by Governor.
makes appropriations for the purpose of defraying the expenses of certain legislative enactments passed during the 2026 session of the 114th General Assembly; earmarks sufficient state funds for the purpose of funding anSB 2082 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As enacted, expands the prohibition, from stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood cancer to any cancer, against a health benefit plan that provides coverageSB 2081 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Optometry - As enacted, redefines the practice of optometry. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 8. SB2076 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 714 by the Secretary of StateSB 2076 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Signed by Governor.
requires the comptroller of the treasury to provide required cost and income limit estimates for property tax relief to the directors of the office of legislative budget analysis in addition to the members of the generalSB 2075 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
enacts the "Local Government Revenue Stability Act," which replaces property taxes with a statewide 4 percent surtax on the sale of goods and services to be collected in the same manner as the sales and use tax and disbuSB 2074 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
prohibits a person from requiring another to use programmable money for a transaction; prohibits an issuer of programmable money from denying a transaction based upon certain factors; requires an issuer of programmable mSB 2071 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
revises requirement for the department of commerce and insurance to report on coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency. - Amends TCA Title 56SB 2067 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
Audiologists and Speech Pathologists - As enacted, removes requirement that persons seeking licensure as speech language pathologists be members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. - Amends TCA Title 63,SB 2065 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Signed by Governor.
Human Services, Dept. of - As enacted, enacts the "Promising Futures Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 43; Title 49; Title 57; Title 67 and Title 71. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 997 by the SecrSB 2062 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Education, Higher - As enacted, divides the appointing authority for the nine voting members of the Tennessee higher education commission among the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of repSB 2079 · this session · introduced Jan 21, 2026
Signed by Governor.
requires the Tennessee higher education commission to submit a report to the education and finance committees of the senate and house of representatives identifying any fiscal year, beginning with the 2004 fiscal year, fSB 2078 · this session · introduced Jan 21, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee
requires each LEA to submit a report to the department of education by July 31 each year that includes, for the immediately preceding school year, the number of students the LEA provided with information on the career anSB 2068 · this session · introduced Jan 21, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
requires a local governmental entity to hold a referendum to approve a property tax increase that exceeds specified thresholds. - Amends TCA Title 48 and Title 67, Chapter 5SB 2064 · this session · introduced Jan 21, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) - As enacted, makes various changes to the TISA review committee, including, but not limited to, clarifying that the committee may convene a meeting with a majority of aSB 2077 · this session · introduced Jan 20, 2026
Signed by Governor.
Holidays and Days of Special Observance - As enacted, designates the month of April as "Tennessee Native Plant Month." - Amends TCA Title 15, Chapter 2. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 588 by the SSB 2073 · this session · introduced Jan 20, 2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Medical Occupations - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act." - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2; Title 44, Chapter 17; Title 63, Chapter 12 and Title 68, Chapter 140. SB20SB 2069 · this session · introduced Jan 15, 2026
Signed by Governor.
changes the reimbursement amount for property tax relief for disabled veteran homeowners; increases the reimbursement amount from payment on the first $175,000 of the full market value of the home to payment on the firstSB 1798 · this session · introduced Jan 14, 2026
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
requires playgrounds at Booker T. Washington State Park and Harrison Bay State Park to be built no later than January 1, 2027; requires existing resources of the department of environment and conservation to be used to bSB 2063 · this session · introduced Jan 12, 2026
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires each LEA and public charter school to administer the Presidential Fitness Test to students to assess their strength, endurance, and flexibility. - Amends TCA Title 49 and TSB 1979 · this session · introduced Dec 18, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
Ridgeside - Subject to local approval, repeals and replaces in its entirety the city's private act charter. - Amends Chapter 615 of the Private Acts of 1931; as amended. Companion bill has been assigned Private Chapter NSB 1462 · this session · introduced Apr 1, 2025
Companion House Bill substituted
authorizes grant payments under the grant assistance program for nursing home care to be made either monthly or quarterly. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; TSB 1395 · this session · introduced Feb 10, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
deletes requirements that budget document includes personal income statement for calendar year 1977 and actual state appropriations for fiscal year 1977-1978. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 52SB 1394 · this session · introduced Feb 10, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
makes appropriations for the purpose of defraying the expenses of certain legislative enactments passed during the 2025 session of the 114th General Assembly; earmarks sufficient state funds for the purpose of funding anSB 1393 · this session · introduced Feb 10, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
authorizes the state, acting by resolution of its funding board, to issue and sell its bonds and bond anticipation notes for certain purposes. -SB 1392 · this session · introduced Feb 10, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
Children - As enacted, allows a child care agency to lease or purchase underutilized property from local education agencies; classifies a child care family home as residential property for certain purposes, including zonSB 1379 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Signed by Governor.
creates the division of early child care and education within the department of education. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49SB 1378 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee
Tennessee Higher Education Commission - As enacted, adds the executive director of the commission to the statutorily prescribed selection process for chief executive officers of public institutions of higher education anSB 1368 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Signed by Governor.
requires, rather than permits, each law enforcement agency to execute an agreement with the United States department of homeland security to participate in the 287(g) program and the warrant service officer program for pSB 1364 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee
requires the office of the attorney general and reporter to submit to the chair of the house committee having jurisdiction over consumer protection and the chair of the commerce and labor committee of the senate a reportSB 1363 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
provides for a new definition for the term "artificial intelligence" for the Tennessee artificial intelligence advisory council act; expands, from 24 to at least 24 and at most 27, the number of members on the council; dSB 1362 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
Education, Higher - As enacted, authorizes, subject to appropriation, an institution of higher education to request to redirect the institution's capital outlay funds for purposes other than those set out in the 2022 appSB 1359 · this session · introduced Feb 6, 2025
Signed by Governor.
requires the department to establish and administer a grant program to reimburse local education agencies, public charter schools, private schools, and medical first responders for the costs of anti-choking devices purchSB 1391 · this session · introduced Feb 5, 2025
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
Human Services, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to establish a process by which management of a public property may submit formal complaints regarding the conduct or performance of a blind individual who hSB 1388 · this session · introduced Feb 5, 2025
Signed by Governor.
prohibits an out-of-network ambulance service provider from balance billing an enrollee in a health benefit plan for emergency ambulance services; establishes allowable billable costs for such services. - Amends TCA TitlSB 1376 · this session · introduced Feb 5, 2025
Failed in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Emergency Communications Districts - As enacted, authorizes a motor vehicle operated by an emergency communications district that is marked as a mobile command vehicle or mobile communications vehicle to display flashingSB 1374 · this session · introduced Feb 5, 2025
Companion House Bill substituted
Federal Aid - As enacted, establishes a process for reviewing requests for federal aid. - Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 512 by the Secretary of StateSB 1366 · this session · introduced Feb 5, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
reduces the time in which the department of children's services has to determine whether a temporary childcare licensee has complied with all regulations to receive a permanent childcare license from 90 days from the datSB 1365 · this session · introduced Feb 5, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Taxes, Real Property - As enacted, limits the authority of a special purpose corporation to negotiate and enter into PILOT agreements with the corporation's lessees, as delegated to it by a municipality, if certain writtSB 1398 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Signed by Governor.
TennCare - As enacted, directs the director to establish an additional PACE program as a pilot in one of the two grand divisions where a PACE program did not exist in 2024; permits a current PACE program in a county withSB 1390 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Companion House Bill substituted
Commerce and Insurance, Dept. of - As enacted, revises law relative to the treatment and coverage of treatment for stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer, blood cancer, metastatic blood cancer, and associated conditions; makSB 1382 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
Housing - As enacted, authorizes local governments to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans wiSB 1381 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
decreases from five to three the number of business days an ambulance service provider has to furnish to a patient or their authorized representative a copy of the patient's run record upon written request; decreases froSB 1380 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
decreases from 60 to 45 days, the amount of time the executive director of the board of commissioners of a water and wastewater treatment authority has to annually prepare the operating budget of the authority and submitSB 1375 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
Health Care - As enacted, revises law relative to the operation of acute care hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024. SB1369 has been assigned Public ChapSB 1369 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Signed by Governor.
authorizes LEAs and public charter schools to refuse to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49SB 836 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Re-refer to S. Cal Comm
removes requirement that installers of subsurface sewage disposal systems pay a renewal fee as a condition to renewing a septic system installer license; maintains initial permit and fee requirement for such installers. SB 283 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee
prohibits the department from regulating farming activities involving top soil, rock removal, or the building of a pond when the activities are conducted in an area that is less than three acres in size, and the propertySB 281 · this session · introduced Feb 4, 2025
Re-refer to Senate Calendar Committee
prohibits a healthcare provider who participates in the TennCare or CoverKids programs from refusing to provide healthcare services to an enrollee based solely upon the enrollee’s refusal to obtain a vaccine or immunizatSB 1389 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
adds Western Governors University as a postsecondary institution at which Tennessee resident students may be enrolled for purposes of receiving a Senator Ben Atchley opportunity grant. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, PSB 1387 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2025
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
Private Protective Services - As enacted, creates the enhanced armed guard registration that may be obtained upon completion of certain training and other requirements by an armed security guard/officer who has at least SB 1384 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2025
Companion House Bill substituted
prohibits a health insurance entity or TennCare MCO from including an all-products clause in a network participation agreement with a healthcare provider, and makes certain other changes related to MCO network adequacy. SB 1372 · this session · introduced Feb 3, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, enacts the "Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act"; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 50 and Title 65, Chapter 15, Part 3. SB1377 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 13SB 1377 · this session · introduced Jan 29, 2025
Signed by Governor.
requires all written driver license examinations to be administered in English only; prohibits the use of a translation dictionary, electronic device, or interpreter to assist a person taking the examination. - Amends TCSB 1373 · this session · introduced Jan 29, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Transportation and Safety Committee
TennCare - As enacted, enacts "Lucca's Law," which addresses TennCare coverage of treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset SB 1426 · this session · introduced Jan 28, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
requires the board of trustees of the Tennessee consolidated retirement system to convert a person's participation in the retirement system, for service as a member of the general assembly and as a participant in the hybSB 1416 · this session · introduced Jan 28, 2025
Failed in Senate State and Local Government Committee
Public Health - As enacted, requires a medical laboratory supervisor to be readily available for consultations during all hours when tests are performed; prohibits a medical laboratory supervisor from being required to bSB 1385 · this session · introduced Jan 28, 2025
Signed by Governor.
increases from $50,000 to $100,000 the bond amount that every insurance company doing a workers' compensation business in this state must furnish with a surety company; increases from $100,000 to $200,000 the certificateSB 1383 · this session · introduced Jan 28, 2025
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
increases membership of the information systems council by adding a state employee with experience in the field of cybersecurity, to be appointed by the governor. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3SB 1370 · this session · introduced Jan 28, 2025
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
Taxes, Sales - As enacted, authorizes an entity designated to operate a stadium designed to host games of an intercollegiate football team that competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to rSB 211 · this session · introduced Jan 28, 2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
authorizes local governments to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, iSB 1371 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2025
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Traffic Safety - As enacted, creates the offense of an occupant of a vehicle parking, leaving standing, or stopping the vehicle on a street or highway and blocking or impeding the normal movement of traffic for the purpoSB 248 · this session · introduced Jan 22, 2025
Signed by Governor.
Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Individualized Investigational Treatment Act." - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63. SB0282 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 45 by the Secretary of StateSB 282 · this session · introduced Jan 16, 2025
Signed by Governor.
expands the criteria for real property that is eligible for the property owner to petition a municipality to deannex. - Amends TCA Section 6-51-201SB 1386 · this session · introduced Jan 15, 2025
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
creates an exemption from the requirement that an applicant for licensure as a professional counselor must have completed a graduate course of study of at least 60 credit hours if the applicant has a valid, unencumbered SB 20 · this session · introduced Dec 19, 2024
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
prohibits an insurance company from requiring a visually impaired owner of a motor vehicle to obtain a commercial motor vehicle liability policy in lieu of a standard owner's policy of liability insurance if the covered SB 284 · this session · introduced Dec 10, 2024
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
exempts from the state sales and use tax the retail sale of food and food ingredients. - Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 3 and Title 67SB 1367 · this session · introduced Dec 5, 2024
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026

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