Tennessee Lawmakers to Address AI Risks and Controversial Immigration Bill

Tennessee lawmakers are set to reconvene on January 13, 2026, with a packed agenda that includes controversial bills addressing artificial intelligence, immigration, and education funding. Among the most notable proposals is a bill aimed at criminalizing the use of AI to encourage suicide or homicide, reflecting growing concerns about the ethical and societal implications of advanced technologies.

The AI bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton (R-Dickson) and Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), seeks to classify such actions as a Class A felony, punishable by up to 60 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. This move underscores the state's efforts to preemptively address potential misuses of AI as the technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life.

Immigration Bill Revives Debate Over School Enrollment Policies

Another contentious issue on the table is a bill that would allow schools to question students' immigration status before enrollment. While the Senate approved the measure last year, it stalled in the House. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), argues that it would give local governments the discretion to decide whether to charge tuition for non-resident students, though critics worry it could deter immigrant families from enrolling their children in school.

"It simply gives local governments the authority to make decisions about whether they would charge tuition or not charge tuition," Watson said in a previous interview. "And if a school board comes out early and says we're not going to do it, that's fine. It's not a mandate."

Democrats have expressed concern that the bill could create barriers for immigrant students, particularly in light of federal cuts to education funding. Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D) warned that Tennessee's budget challenges, coupled with rising healthcare and childcare costs, could leave the state ill-equipped to support its most vulnerable populations.

Budget Constraints and Education Funding

The upcoming session will also grapple with a tight state budget, the most constrained since Governor Bill Lee took office. Both Republicans and Democrats have signaled that difficult choices lie ahead, with education funding emerging as a key battleground. Republicans have proposed expanding the Education Freedom Scholarships program by 20,000 additional recipients, on top of the 5,000 currently allowed. However, Democrats argue that such an expansion could strain the state's finances.

"The voucher dollars, the expansion that the speaker and governor have been talking about, is doubling the size of this brand new program," Yarbro said. "At the very least, it would be a $300 million line item for the state and would continue growing into the future, becoming a billion-dollar problem for the state."

Despite these differences, both parties have indicated a willingness to revisit the state's grocery tax, which was a contentious issue during the 2025 session. The professional privilege tax, long a target for elimination by Republicans, is also expected to be part of the discussion.

As lawmakers prepare to tackle these issues, the session promises to be one of the most consequential in recent years, with decisions that could reshape Tennessee's approach to technology, immigration, and education for years to come.