Employees, Employers - As enacted, defines, for purposes of the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act, a "private employer" as any person who is required by federal law and regulations to report remuneration paid to at least one employee; makes…
What it does: ON MARCH 5, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 1194, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, amend the definition of "private employer," as used in the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act, to include any person who is required by federal law and regulations to report remuneration paid to at least one employee. Present law defines "private employer" to mean any person who is required by federal law and regulations to report remuneration paid to at least six employees. (official summary)
Question before the chamber: Third Consideration
The tally
Yes 19 · No 13 · Not voting 1
Bar: green = yes, brown = no, striped = not voting.
| Party | Yes | No | Not voting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Republicans | 19 | 7 | 1 |
Most Democrats voted no; most Republicans voted yes. 7 members voted against their party’s majority.
Voted against their party’s majority
- Becky MasseyR6No
- Page WalleyR26No
- Paul BaileyR15No
- Richard BriggsR7No
- Steve SoutherlandR9No
- Todd GardenhireR10No
- Tom HatcherR2No
The full roll (33)
Yes 19
No 13
Not voting 1
“Not voting” is a recorded non-vote, not a reason for the absence. Parties come from public rosters; how we count.