The 2026 Tennessee General Assembly in photos

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== — The first day of the 2026 legislative session started off with activists filling the halls outside House and Senate chambers, and Rep. Justin Jones, a Nashville Democrat, unfurling a flag addressing concerns over immigration. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Table of Contents

Early days of legislative session

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During the State of the State address, Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat, holds aloft a sign critical of Gov. Bill Lee for turning down $84 million in federal funding for a summer children’s food program. A bipartisan effort to undo the decision failed. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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On Feb. 4, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy gave a press conference with Gov. Bill Lee to advance his Make America Healthy Again agenda and reiterate his support for vaccine choice. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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On feb. 4, u. S. Health and human services secretary robert f. Kennedy gave a press conference with gov. Bill lee to advance his make america healthy again agenda and reiterate his support for vaccine choice. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

003 214x300 2 Rep. Rusty Grills, sponsor of a bill to limit liability of pesticide companies, was a no-show in the committee in which it was to be debated. (Photo: John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout)" srcset="https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-scaled.jpg 1830w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-scaled-214x300.jpg 214w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-732x1024.jpg 732w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-107x150.jpg 107w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-768x1074.jpg 768w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-1098x1536.jpg 1098w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/003-1464x2048.jpg 1464w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px">

Rep. Rusty Grills, sponsor of a bill to limit liability of pesticide companies, was a no-show in the committee in which it was to be debated. (Photo: John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout)

The people

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Dickson Rep. Jody Barrett, caught in a pensive moment in the tunnel leading from the Cordell Hull Legislative Building to the Capitol. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Rep. Johnny Garrett dressed for University of Tennessee Day on the Hill, sporting plenty of Volunteer orange. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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On Ash Wednesday — the first day of Lent — Rep. Gino Bulso, a Brentwood Republican, attended to his legislative work after a morning stop at church. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Rep. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, taking care of business in a committee meeting while holding her 2-year-old son. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, Republicans, discuss a bill at the speaker’s dais. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Rep. Ryan Williams, a Cookeville Republican, became a strong voice for holding the line on expenditures as the state budget tightens. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Nashville Sen. Jeff Yarbro, left, and House Minority Leader John Ray Clemmons serving as the loyal opposition in the Republican supermajority legislature. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The heat of battle: issues and conflict

LEGIS 3 10 26 007 300x200 2 Justin and Joseph Breton dressed in armor suits to advocate for the passage of a bill that would criminalize women getting abortions. The bill failed in the House Population Health Subcommittee. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)" srcset="https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-150x100.jpg 150w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-768x512.jpg 768w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://tennesseelookout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LEGIS-3-10-26-007-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px">

Justin and Joseph Breton dressed in armor suits to advocate for the passage of a bill that would criminalize women getting abortions. The bill failed in the House Population Health Subcommittee. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Sen. Ken Yager, left, a Kingston Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, right, of Franklin, confer during a vote to expand private school vouchers. The measure passed narrowly in both chambers. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Rep. Michael Hale, a Smithville Republican, discusses his bill to allow K-12 public schools to display the 10 Commandments. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Memphis Republican Sen. Brent Taylor holds a copy of an audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools performed by the Tennessee Comptroller’s office. The legislature voted to create a state-controlled board to oversee the school system following the audit. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The party’s over: Lawmakers, staff retire

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Rep. Bud Hulsey, a Kingsport Republican, acknowledges applause from his colleagues as they recognize him for service in the legislature. Hulsey will not run for reelection, ending his 12-year legislative career. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Rep. Johnny Shaw, a Bolivar Democrat who is retiring from the legislature, speaks before the Tennessee House. He has served since his election in 2000. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Sine die: The end

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Nashville Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn reacts to her appearance on an end-of-session video played in the House on April 23, 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Just prior to the end of legislative session, Rep. Lowell Russell, a Vonore Republican, kicks back at his desk showing off his Tennessee flag-embossed boots. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Nashville Sen. Jeff Yarbro, a Nashville Democrat, looks wry during a press conference held by legislative Democrats to recap the session. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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The 2026 Tennessee General Assembly in photos

Early days of legislative session

The people

The heat of battle: issues and conflict

The party’s over: Lawmakers, staff retire

Sine die: The end

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The 2026 Tennessee General Assembly in photos

Early days of legislative session

The people

The heat of battle: issues and conflict

The party’s over: Lawmakers, staff retire

Sine die: The end

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