Categories: Tennessee News

The 2026 Tennessee General Assembly in photos

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)

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Early days of legislative session

Rep. Monty fritts, a kingston republican who is running for the republican gubernatorial nomination in august, attended the first day of legislation session on jan. 13, 2026, wearing his u. S. Army 7th cavalry regiment stetson. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

Gov. Bill lee ascends the steps of the tennessee capitol to deliver his final state of the state address on feb. 2, 2026. He talked about his desire to expand school vouchers. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

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)

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)

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

Rep. Torrey harris, a memphis democrat, snaps a picture of rep. John crawford of kingsport. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

Nashville singer and songwriter heather mae, carried out of the house gallery after protesting anti-lgbtq+ measures. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

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">

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)

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)

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)

Nashville democratic sen. Charlane oliver at a march press conference discussing a maternal health care bill. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

A tense house speaker cameron sexton walks down a hall at the cordell hull legislative building. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

The party’s over: Lawmakers, staff retire

Lt. Gov. Randy mcnally, retiring after nearly 50 years in the general assembly. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

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)

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)

Chief sergeant at arms for the tennessee house of representatives bobby trotter kicked back on his final day in the position. Trotter earned a reputation as affable but stern, in charge of keeping order under often rowdy circumstances. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

Sine die: The end

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)

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)

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)

Gov. Bill lee and republican legislative leaders head to an end-of-session press conference on april 23, 2026. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

The tennessee house of representatives, emptied on the night of april 23, 2026. (photo: john partipilo/tennessee lookout)

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