Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill
SB 1978: School Vouchers - As introduced, establishes various audit and reporting requirements for the department of education and private schools that enroll recipients of an education freedom scholarship; limits eligibility for the scholarship program to students who are members of a family with an annual household income that does not exceed 300 percent of the amount required for a student to qualify for free or reduced lunch; requires scholarship recipients to be administered the same TCAP tests administered to public school students enrolled in the same grade level or course subject. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 44; Title 10, Chapter 7 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 1978 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on January 22, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: School Vouchers - As introduced, establishes various audit and reporting requirements for the department of education and private schools that enroll recipients of an education freedom scholarship; limits eligibility for the scholarship program to students who are members of a family with an annual household income that does not exceed 300 percent of the amount required for a student to qualify for free or reduced lunch; requires scholarship recipients to be administered the same TCAP tests administered to public school students enrolled in the same grade level or course subject. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 44; Title 10, Chapter 7 and Title 49, Chapter 6. Primary sponsor: Raumesh Akbari (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 18, 2026): Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raumesh Akbari | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 29 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee
- Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
- Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/18/2026
- Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
- Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
- Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
- Filed for introduction