TennesseeLocal governments would verify applicants for public benefits
Beginning July 1, 2026, adults applying for public benefits would undergo citizenship or lawful-presence checks through state or local agencies, unless federal law prohibits them.
What it does
Adults seeking federal, state, or local public benefits from a government agency would have their citizenship or lawful presence checked, unless federal law bars it.
Agencies would keep verification documents and could not delay benefits solely while final checks are pending, but recurring benefits must end after a disqualifying result.
The attorney general could investigate local agencies over verification violations and seek to withhold state funding after finding a violation.
Agencies would report disqualified applicants and ended recurring benefits each month; an employee or official who fails to report could face a Class A misdemeanor.
Argument forApplicants may receive benefits without waiting for final verification, because submitted documents count as proof while the check is pending.
Argument againstLocal agencies may face added administrative work and funding pressure because they must report results and could lose state funds for violations.
More detail
State and local agencies and local health departments would verify each adult applicant’s citizenship or lawful presence before approving a public benefit. This covers adults age 18 or older applying for federal, state, or local public benefits from those agencies. The verification must follow this chapter’s procedures. The requirement does not apply when federal law prohibits it. The act states that it takes effect July 1, 2026; local governments must apply related form and system changes when they first reprint forms or update electronic or automated phone systems after that date.
Agencies would keep applicants’ verification documents, treat submitted documents as proof until final verification, and avoid delaying benefits only because final verification is pending. The rules apply to state and local government agencies and local health departments handling public-benefit applications. If final verification shows that an applicant is not a United States citizen or qualified alien, the agency must end any recurring benefit. The agency must then pursue any action allowed under the cited enforcement sections. These rules apply when an agency receives documents and final verification; termination follows receipt of final verification showing that the recipient is not a United States citizen or qualified alien.
The attorney general may investigate credible complaints about local governments or local health departments and may seek to withhold their state funds after finding a violation. The enforcement power covers local governmental entities and local health departments that allegedly violate the public-benefit verification rules. The attorney general may act after a credible allegation or complaint. Withholding may cover state funds provided through grants, contracts, or law, including state-shared taxes. The investigation and possible funding action apply after the act takes effect on July 1, 2026, if the required allegation or complaint and finding of a violation occur.
Government agencies and local health departments would submit monthly reports and report certain recipients to the state’s centralized immigration enforcement division. Reports cover applicants found not to be United States citizens or qualified aliens and people whose recurring benefits are ended after final verification. Reports must go to the general assembly, the finance department, and the centralized immigration enforcement division. An employee or official who fails to make a required report would commit a Class A misdemeanor. Monthly reporting and individual reporting apply after the act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1106Latest
- Apr 21Comp. SB subst.
- Apr 21Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 20
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026 4/16/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 16H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 15Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
- Apr 15Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
- Apr 15Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
- Apr 14Placed behind the budget
- Apr 8Action Def. in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee to Next Calendar
- Apr 8Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
- Apr 1Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means SubcommitteeMinor
- Apr 1Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026
- Mar 31Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 3/31/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/31/2026
- Mar 24Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/31/2026
- Mar 18Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 18Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/18/2026
- Mar 4Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/11/2026
- Mar 4Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/11/2026
- Feb 25Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/4/2026
- Feb 17Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee 2/17/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Placed on s/c cal Departments & Agencies Subcommittee for 2/17/2026
- Jan 22P2C, ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Intro., P1C.Minor
- Jan 21Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Jan 15Filed for introductionIntroduced
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