TennesseeTennessee lottery board will have nine members chosen by state leaders
Starting July 1, 2026, three state leaders each appoint three lottery corporation directors, and the corporation follows state public records and meeting rules.
What it does
On July 1, 2026, the current board’s membership ends and a nine-member board takes over. The governor and the two legislative speakers each appoint three directors.
The corporation must follow state rules for public records and meetings. Information about its chief executive’s job and pay is public, but identifying personal details remain protected.
The corporation must send each covered audit to the governor, legislative leaders, named committee chairs, and the state treasurer, as well as the comptroller when applicable.
Argument forPeople seeking information could gain access to the corporation’s records and meetings, while personally identifying details may remain protected.
Argument againstThe governor and legislative leaders could influence the corporation’s leadership, and they may remove directors with or without cause.
More detail
The corporation’s nine-member board is appointed by the governor and the two legislative speakers. The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation’s current board membership ends, and the new board assumes its authority while the corporation continues operating without interruption. Appointments must reflect varied professional expertise, geography, and demographic representation consistent with the corporation’s mission. Directors serve without pay but may receive per diem and travel reimbursement under state travel rules. The current board’s membership ends July 1, 2026. New directors’ terms are counted from that date, even if they are appointed later.
The corporation must make specified information about its chief executive or president public and follow state public records and public meeting rules. These rules apply to the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation and its records and meetings. Information about hiring, employment, retention, performance reviews, pay, and contract terms is public, but personally identifying information remains confidential and may be removed. The corporation remains independent of department or agency supervision unless a law specifically provides otherwise. Administrative duties take effect when the act becomes law; its other provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
The corporation must send copies of covered audits to listed state officials and legislative committee chairs. This applies to audits performed by the comptroller or an independent certified public accountant or firm. The comptroller receives a copy only if applicable. This provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1084Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 27Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1163)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 60, Nays 28, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 20Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0642)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/20/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 20Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6Passed Senate
- Apr 20Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 20Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Mar 25Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Vote recorded SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/25/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Mar 24Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/25/2026
- Mar 24Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Mar 23Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate State & Local Gov't Committee on 3/24/2026
- Mar 23Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Refer to Senate State & Local Gov't Committee with amendment, w/ negative recommendation
- Vote recorded SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Referred to Senate State & Local Gov't Committee with amendment/s, w/negative recommendation 3/11/2026 Failed. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 4Action deferred in Senate Government Operations Committee to 3/11/2026
- Mar 4Placed on Senate Government Operations Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
- Feb 25Placed on Senate Government Operations Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
- Jan 22Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Government Operations CommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 15Filed for introductionIntroduced
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