John Gillespie is a Republican state representative from Tennessee House District 97 who has served since November 2020 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2]
John Gillespie was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and earned a B.A. in political science from High Point University.[1]Ballotpedia lists his career experience as a financial service representative with First Tennessee Bank and a grant coordinator with Trezevant Episcopal Home.[1]He succeeded Jim Coley in House District 97 and assumed office on November 3, 2020.[1]For the 2023-2024 session Ballotpedia lists him as vice chair of the Criminal Justice Committee and a member of the Education Administration and Health committees.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Rights & public safety224 with · 10 against234 votes
VIOLATIONS BY CORPORATIONS Present law authorizes a corporation to be prosecuted for an act or omission involving trafficking persons for forced labor or services or trafficking for commercial sex act constituting a crime under state kidnapping and false imprisonment law only if (i) an agent of the corporation performs the conduct that is an element of the crime while acting within the scope of the agent's office or employment and on behalf of the corporation and (ii) the commission of the crime was either authorized, requested, commanded, performed or within the scope of the agent's…
Apr 22, 2025 · Failed 27–68 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
ON APRIL 17, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENTS #1 AND #2 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 622, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, make the following revisions to present law: EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS Prohibits a county government, municipal government, metropolitan government, local education agency (LEA), public institution of higher education, and the state from basing an employment decision on any metric that considers an applicant's or employee's race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any other demographic characteristic, rather than on individual merit, qualifications, veteran status, or…
Apr 17, 2025 · Passed 68–24 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Present law describes when a child may be detained in a secure facility. This bill expands present law by providing that a child may be detained in a secure facility when there is probable cause to believe the child is a child in need of heightened supervision.
Apr 21, 2026 · Passed 59–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This bill authorizes a political subdivision to only enter into a contingent fee contract for legal services if the governing body of the political subdivision adheres to all of the following requirements: Calls a public meeting for the purpose of considering the contract and provides in the notice of the meeting (i) the reasons for pursuing the matter that is the subject of the legal services being procured and the desired outcome of pursuing the matter; (ii) the qualifications, experience, and competence of the attorney or law firm proposed for retention by the governing body; (iii) the…
Apr 9, 2026 · Failed 36–32 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Present law requires the commissioner of human resources ("commissioner") to perform certain human resources functions authorized in present law if requested by state organizations. This bill, instead, authorizes the commissioner to perform such functions, rather than requires. JOB OPENINGS Present law requires the commissioner to give public notice of a job opening at least one week prior to the closing of the application period. This bill eliminates that requirement.
Apr 21, 2026 · Failed 42–40 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Present law provides that a licensee under the "Premium Finance Company Act of 1980" does not have the power to charge premium loan charges other than, or in amounts greater than, the following: Licensees may charge, in the case of the precomputed loan, a service charge in an amount equal to 4% of the total amount of the loan, which charge may be deducted in advance from the principal of the premium loan; provided, that a licensee who contracts for the payment of interest on the balances from time to time outstanding, commonly referred to as a revolving or open-end account, shall be limited…
ON APRIL 13, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENTS #8, 2, 3, AND 9, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2532, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #8 prohibits an eligible student from receiving an education freedom scholarship if the student is enrolled in a private school that promotes or advocates for the support, adoption, or implementation of any foreign law, legal code, or system, in this state that, if adopted or implemented, would violate rights guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution or United States Constitution.
Apr 13, 2026 · Passed 52–43 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
ON APRIL 22, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1. SENATE BILL 1585, AS AMENDED, FAILED TO RECEIVE A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to revise the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. Present law requires, as a condition of participating in the ESA program, participating students in grades three through 11 must be annually administered the TCAP tests for math and English language arts, or successor tests authorized by the state board of education for math and English language arts.
Apr 23, 2026 · Passed 54–39 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
ON FEBRUARY 23, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2423, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill and adds to present law by prohibiting LEAs and public charter schools from selling, offering for sale, or providing to students on school property through a school nutrition program any food or beverage item that contains one or more of the following petroleum-based synthetic dyes: Allura Red AC; Erythrosine B; Tartrazine; Sunset Yellow FCF; Erioglaucine disodium salt; Indigo carmine; or Fast Green FCF.
Mar 9, 2026 · Failed 56–32 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
ON FEBRUARY 23, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2423, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill and adds to present law by prohibiting LEAs and public charter schools from selling, offering for sale, or providing to students on school property through a school nutrition program any food or beverage item that contains one or more of the following petroleum-based synthetic dyes: Allura Red AC; Erythrosine B; Tartrazine; Sunset Yellow FCF; Erioglaucine disodium salt; Indigo carmine; or Fast Green FCF.
Mar 9, 2026 · Failed 56–32 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
ON MARCH 26, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2414, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, provide that any certificate of public advantage in effect on June 30, 2028, automatically expires. However, any pricing restrictions in a certificate of advantage remain in effect until the fifth anniversary of the expiration date or the date that a new inpatient acute care hospital opens in the geographic service area, whichever is earlier.
This bill enacts the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act," the purpose of which is to ensure the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) in this state aligns with its intended purpose of improving food security and nutrition by prohibiting the purchase of candy and soft drinks with SNAP benefits. This bill requires the department of human services ("department") to submit a request for a federal waiver to the United States department of agriculture's food and nutrition service to seek authorization to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy and soft drinks.
Mar 10, 2025 · Passed 69–23 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY USED FOR CAMPING This bill requires the department of transportation to develop and implement a policy regarding the collection, storage, claiming, and disposal of personal property used for camping from (i) the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway; or (ii) under a bridge or overpass, or within an underpass, of a state or interstate highway.
Apr 15, 2025 · Failed 23–73 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This bill provides that not later than December 1, 2025, the department of safety must develop and publish on its website a list of out-of-state classes of driver licenses issued to illegal aliens that are invalid in this state in accordance with this bill. The department must update the list as necessary in order to correct mistakes and to add or remove an out-of-state class of driver license to keep the list in conformity with the requirements of this bill.
Present law requires an officer to issue a citation to persons arrested for a violation of certain traffic offenses punishable as a misdemeanor in lieu of an arrest. Such persons may elect not to contest the charge and, instead, pay a fine and costs to the clerk of court rather than making an appearance in court. This bill allows such a person who is charged with speeding to register for a department-approved driver education course. Up to five points will be removed from the person's driving record upon successful completion of the course within 90 days of the conviction.
Mar 23, 2026 · Failed 45–36 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Present law provides that it is the duty of the commissioner of environment and conservation, or the commissioner's duly authorized representative or deputy commissioner, as applicable, to enter into an agreement or contract with county health departments whereby the departments would implement the law relative to subsurface sewage disposal systems in their respective jurisdiction.
Mar 31, 2025 · Failed 44–46 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
ON MARCH 16, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 803, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to add to present law concerning sewerage systems using land application. Present law prohibits new construction of, or making any change in a public water supply or public sewerage system, until the plans for such new construction or change have been submitted to and approved by TDEC.
ON APRIL 3, 2025, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 1133 FOR SENATE BILL 885, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 885, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 adds to this bill by removing the sales tax on: (1) The enriching of uranium materials, compounds, or products that is performed on a cost-plus basis or on a toll enrichment fee basis; and (2) Industrial machinery that is necessary to, and primarily for enriching, deconverting, or converting uranium materials, compounds, or products under certain circumstances as described in the full text of this amendment.
Mar 13, 2025 · Passed 69–21 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY USED FOR CAMPING This bill requires the department of transportation to develop and implement a policy regarding the collection, storage, claiming, and disposal of personal property used for camping from (i) the shoulder, berm, or right-of-way of a state or interstate highway; or (ii) under a bridge or overpass, or within an underpass, of a state or interstate highway.
Apr 15, 2025 · Failed 23–73 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On and after July 1, 2025, this bill prohibits a landlord from prohibiting a tenant or tenant's guest from lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearm, or firearm ammunition in the tenant's home, apartment, or business; in a vehicle located in a parking area provided for tenants or tenants' guests by the landlord of the leased premises; or in other locations controlled by the landlord as necessary to enter or exit the tenant's home, apartment, or business, to enter or exit the leased premises, or to enter or exit a vehicle located on the leased…
This bill prohibits a local governmental entity from doing either of the following: Relocating a homeless individual to another jurisdiction, unless the local governmental entity receives written consent for such relocation from the receiving jurisdiction. Using public funds to relocate homeless individuals to other jurisdictions, unless the local governmental entity verifies that housing and other necessary services are available for the homeless individuals in the receiving jurisdiction.
This bill clarifies that the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum have no jurisdiction in this state. This state and its political subdivisions must not be compelled to enforce, or collaborate with the enforcement of, requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum.
Apr 17, 2025 · Passed 72–25 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This bill enacts the "Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act," which generally prohibits a department, division, office, board, commission, or institution of this state ("state agency") from (i) using the term "West Bank" to refer to Judea and Samaria in a guidance, rule, material, briefing, press release, communication, or work product document prepared by a state agency and (ii) using state funds to create official government material that refers to Judea and Samaria as "West Bank." However, this bill authorizes the executive head of a state agency to waive the prohibition if the executive head…
This bill enacts the "Tennessee Procurement Protection Act," the purpose of which is to ensure that suppliers to the state and to political subdivisions of this state are safe, reliable, and free from undue influence and control from foreign adversaries. As used in this bill, a "foreign adversary" means a country designated by the United States department of commerce under 15 CFR 791.4 on January 1, 2025, and as amended thereafter.
Present law requires each LEA to adopt an internet acceptable use policy that includes provisions that: (1) Are designed to prohibit certain inappropriate use by school district employees and students of the school district's computers via the internet; (2) Seek to prevent access by students to material that the school district deems to be harmful to juveniles; (3) Select technology for the LEA's computers having internet access that prevent access to pornography, obscenity, and materials that are harmful to minors; (4) Establish appropriate measures to be taken against persons who violate…
Apr 22, 2026 · Passed 69–19 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
PROHIBITED ACTIONS In order to ensure that this state provides an attractive environment for investment in broadband technology by establishing certainty regarding the regulatory treatment of that technology, consistent with the decisions of the federal communications commission to preempt certain state actions that are not in accordance with such commission's policies, present law prohibits the Tennessee public utility commission from exercising jurisdiction of any type over or relating to broadband services, regardless of the entity providing the service, except as provided in present law.
This bill requires the owner or operator of a data center, including a proposed data center or an existing data center seeking expansion, to pay for the full cost of infrastructure needed to support the data center, including expansions or upgrades to existing utility infrastructure necessary to both support the proposed or existing data center and continue providing the same services to the utility's existing customers.
Apr 21, 2026 · Passed 76–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 27 of 480 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (9), Climate & energy (5), Education & families (4)
Firearms and Ammunition - As enacted, lowers the standard for the use of deadly force to protect property. - Amends TCA Title 39. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 1100 by the Secretary of State.
What it does: Present law provides that a person in lawful possession of real or personal property is justified in threatening or using force against another, when and to the degree it is reasonably believed the force is immediatel…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 1–21, Republicans 61–3
Public Utility Commission - As enacted, requires, for an electric utility providing services outside the corporate limits of the home municipality, expansion of the utility board to provide representation on the board for such outside…
What it does: ON APRIL 20, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2102, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, require an electric utility that provides services to at least 3,500 retail elect…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 1–17, Republicans 63–5
Public Utility Commission - As enacted, requires, for an electric utility providing services outside the corporate limits of the home municipality, expansion of the utility board to provide representation on the board for such outside…
What it does: ON APRIL 20, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2102, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, require an electric utility that provides services to at least 3,500 retail elect…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 70–1
Driver Licenses - As enacted, requires driver license station staff to inquire of applicants whether the applicant would like a driver license that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 or does not comply with such act; makes other…
What it does: Present law provides the application requirements for a driver license, instruction permit, intermediate driver license, and photo identification card. This bill requires the staff at a driver license station to inqui…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 10–11, Republicans 63–7
Education - As enacted, makes various revisions to education law, including, but not limited to, requiring each public school to annually submit to the department of education a list of all local assessments administered to students,…
What it does: This bill requires each public school, including public charter schools, to annually submit to the department of education, or a form developed by the department, a list of all local assessments administered to the st…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–21, Republicans 54–10
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 47 · TN HOUSE
Education - As enacted, authorizes local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies to allow schools in the LEA or the public charter school, as applicable, to display the Ten Commandments, the first sentence of the…
YesVOTED
Motion: MOTION TO ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
ON MARCH 19, 2026, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 47 FOR SENATE BILL 303, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 47, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 adds a preamble and rewrites the substantive provisions of this bill to require each local board of education and governing body of a public charter school to require all schools under their administration to display the Ten Commandments, the first sentence of the second paragraph of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and the preamble to the United States Constitution in a prominent location in each school building in order to…
Immigration - As enacted, requires, until February 1, 2029, each court to cooperate with the U.S. department of homeland security and federal immigration authorities acting in the enforcement of federal immigration law; authorizes, until…
YesVOTED
Motion: MOTION TO ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
ON APRIL 2, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 1707, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, require each court to cooperate with the United States department of homeland security ("department") and federal immigration authorities acting in the enforcement of federal immigration law. This amendment authorizes a judge who obstructs lawful operations by the department or such authorities to be referred to the board of judicial conduct for proceedings and any findings by the board that the judge committed judicial misconduct may be cause for removal.
Motor Vehicles - As enacted, adds certain language comprehension requirements for certain driver licenses; requires documentation as a U.S. citizen or lawfully permitted in the U.S. for certain vehicle registrations; requires documentation…
YesVOTED
Motion: MOTION TO ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Uniform Classified and Commercial Driver License Act of 1988 requires the department of safety to examine every applicant for a driver license, intermediate driver license, learner permit, temporary driver license, temporary learner permit, and temporary intermediate driver license. Such examination may include a written examination. WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS If an applicant for a driver license or intermediate driver license is unable to speak and read in English, then this bill authorizes the written examination required for licensure to be administered in a language other than English.
Obscenity and Pornography - As enacted, prohibits the issuance of a license to operate certain adult-oriented establishments unless certain signage is posted. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 39. HB2314 has been assigned Public…
YesVOTED
Motion: MESSAGE CALENDAR 2 MOTION TO ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
ON APRIL 6, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2314, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 makes the following changes: • Removes the requirement for signs posted at each entrance of the establishment no smaller than 8 1/2" x 11" to have the required language printed in at least 48-point type in boldface, block letters, centered on the sign, and that the letters must be black on a white background.
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 blocking streets or…
YesVOTED
Motion: MOTION TO ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT 2
ON APRIL 6, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENTS #1 AND 2, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2366, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 makes the following changes: Changes the definition for the term "tourism development zone" to have the same meaning as the one in present law. Removes the prohibition for a local government to ingress or egress into a tourism development zone by private or commercial vehicles or pedestrian traffic.
Computers and Electronic Processing - As enacted, requires TACIR to study artificial intelligence and submit a report to the governor and both speakers by January 31, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 33; Title 39 and Title 47. Companion…
YesVOTED
Motion: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 4 BY ZACHARY PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
This bill creates a Class A felony offense for an individual, for-profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, or other business entity to knowingly train artificial intelligence to do any of the following: Encourage or otherwise support the act of suicide. Encourage or otherwise support the act of criminal homicide. Provide emotional support, including through open-ended conversations with a user. Develop an emotional relationship with, or otherwise act as a companion to, an individual.
Education - As enacted, revises the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 12; Title 48; Title 49 and Title 67. Companion bill has…
YesVOTED
Motion: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
ON APRIL 22, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1. SENATE BILL 1585, AS AMENDED, FAILED TO RECEIVE A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to revise the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. Present law requires, as a condition of participating in the ESA program, participating students in grades three through 11 must be annually administered the TCAP tests for math and English language arts, or successor tests authorized by the state board of education for math and English language arts.
Education - As enacted, revises the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 12; Title 48; Title 49 and Title 67. Companion bill has…
YesVOTED
Motion: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
ON APRIL 22, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1. SENATE BILL 1585, AS AMENDED, FAILED TO RECEIVE A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to revise the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. Present law requires, as a condition of participating in the ESA program, participating students in grades three through 11 must be annually administered the TCAP tests for math and English language arts, or successor tests authorized by the state board of education for math and English language arts.
Education - As enacted, revises the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 12; Title 48; Title 49 and Title 67. Companion bill has…
NoVOTED
Motion: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 8 BY PEARSON PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
ON APRIL 22, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1. SENATE BILL 1585, AS AMENDED, FAILED TO RECEIVE A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to revise the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. Present law requires, as a condition of participating in the ESA program, participating students in grades three through 11 must be annually administered the TCAP tests for math and English language arts, or successor tests authorized by the state board of education for math and English language arts.
Education - As enacted, revises the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 12; Title 48; Title 49 and Title 67. Companion bill has…
NoVOTED
Motion: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 7 BY PEARSON PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
ON APRIL 22, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1. SENATE BILL 1585, AS AMENDED, FAILED TO RECEIVE A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to revise the assessment testing requirements for students who participate in the education savings account (ESA) program. Present law requires, as a condition of participating in the ESA program, participating students in grades three through 11 must be annually administered the TCAP tests for math and English language arts, or successor tests authorized by the state board of education for math and English language arts.
