Second Year of the 114th General Assembly: 2026 Session Priorities
By State Senator Page Walley
Our General Assembly convened last week to begin the 2026 session of the 114th General Assembly. The budget, education, illegal immigration, and rural healthcare are emerging as top issues as the session gets underway. In the coming weeks, legislators will be busy filing bills ahead of the Jan. 29 deadline. Hundreds of measures have already been introduced, including legislation carried over from the 2025 session. The following is a preview of key issues the General Assembly is expected to address this year.
Budget and Economy
The Tennessee General Assembly’s most important responsibility – and only constitutional duty – is passing a balanced budget, which depends on accurate revenue projections from the state. The Governor will deliver his budget address on Monday, Feb. 22 to unveil his budget proposal.
For the third year in a row, the state is seeing slower revenue growth than in years past, with the Board predicting a growth rate of 2.25% and 2.35% for Fiscal Year 2026/2027. Despite slower revenue growth, Tennessee’s economy continues to outperform the national average in multiple metrics. Tennessee’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate held steady in September at 3.6% as the Volunteer State’s economy continues to show signs of strength. With this in mind, we will be balancing the need for conservative budgeting with the demands for services, growth, infrastructure needs, and inflation.
Education
We will continue to invest in our public schools and ensure that all of our students in Tennessee get quality education. Governor Lee may seek to expand the voucher program. However due to very tight budgets, any expansion above the 5,000 already allowed in current law, may be unlikely.
Illegal Immigration
Our General Assembly will continue its focus on improving public safety and addressing illegal immigration throughout Tennessee. Last year, we passed comprehensive immigration enforcement legislation. This year, we aim to build on those accomplishments with a series of immigration bills.
The 2026 initiatives will require:
- Require verification of lawful status before receiving taxpayer-funded benefits
- Mandate E-Verify for state and local government hires
- Require proof of lawful status for professional licenses
- Require drivers to pass English-only drivers’ license exams, after a 12-month probationary period
- Strengthen cooperation between local law enforcement, courts, and ICE
- Increase transparency through regular reporting on immigration-related costs
Transportation & Infrastructure
We are also expected to focus on long-term transportation infrastructure funding and system needs. I have legislation which will reallocate vehicle sales tax revenue for road maintenance. Additionally, addressing demands for solid waste, disposal, waste water, and water systems will be a top priority.
Rural Healthcare
Finally, I have championed the re-opening of rural hospitals and giving our citizens healthcare access they need. We have had great success and are anticipating more hospital re-openings throughout our district. With an influx of federal resources, we are looking at additional opportunities to improve rural healthcare access. I will be talking more about this in the near future.
In the weeks ahead, I will share more about other policy issues the legislature will consider this session. I appreciate the opportunity to represent our district and look forward to keeping you informed as our work continues. Please reach out to me with any comments, questions or concerns at 615-741-2386 or sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov.
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