| Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| Legislature: | Tennessee General Assembly |
| Coa Pic: | Seal of Tennessee.svg |
| Session Room: | File:Tennessee House of Representatives 2022f.jpg |
| Term Limits: | None |
| New Session: | January 14, 2025 |
| House Type: | Lower house |
| Leader1 Type: | Speaker |
| Leader1: | Cameron Sexton (R) |
| Election1: | August 23, 2019 |
| Leader2 Type: | Speaker pro tempore |
| Leader2: | Pat Marsh (R) |
| Election2: | January 12, 2021 |
| Leader3 Type: | Majority Leader |
| Leader3: | William Lamberth (R) |
| Election3: | January 8, 2019 |
| Leader4 Type: | Minority Leader |
| Leader4: | Karen Camper (D) |
| Election4: | January 8, 2019 |
| Term Length: | 2 years |
| Authority: | Article III, Tennessee Constitution |
| Salary: | $24,316/year + per diem, employee benefits, travel reimbursement[1] |
| Members: | 99 |
| Structure1: | Tennessee House.svg |
| Structure1 Res: | 250px |
| Last Election1: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next Election1: | November 5, 2024 |
| Political Groups1: | Majority
Minority
|
| Redistricting: | Legislative Control |
| Meeting Place: | House of Representatives Chamber Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, Tennessee |
| Website: | Tennessee House of Representatives |
| Rules: | Permanent Rules of Order for the 113th General Assembly |
The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.
According to the state constitution of 1870, this body is to consist of 99 members elected for two-year terms. In every even-numbered year, elections for state representative are conducted simultaneously with the elections for U.S. Representative and other offices; the primary election being held on the first Thursday in August. Seats which become vacant, such as through death, resignation, or expulsion, are filled either: by the county commission (or metropolitan county council) of the home county of the member vacating the seat if less than a year remains in the seat's term; if more than a year remains in the term, a special election is held for the balance of the term.[2] [3]
Members are elected from single-member districts. The districts are traditionally numbered consecutively from east to west and north to south across the state; however, in recent redistricting this convention has not always been strictly adhered to, despite a constitutional provision requiring districts to be numbered consecutively.
Districts are required to be reapportioned every ten years following the federal census in order to be of substantially equal population. However, from 1902 until 1962, the General Assembly ignored this provision. It was estimated that by that point that some districts in the Memphis area had approximately ten times the population of some in rural areas. In 1962 this issue was taken to court. Despite U.S. courts having traditionally declined to rule on such issues, the U.S. Supreme Court opted to hear this case and ruled that the legislature had to comply with the state constitution, as its failure to do so was in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (see Baker v. Carr). Subsequent litigation has further refined the rules regarding this; in the late 1990s a majority-black district in rural West Tennessee was required to be created.
The 1960s redistricting was credited by some observers with creating the first Republican majority in the Tennessee House since Reconstruction in 1968; this situation lasted only until the next election in 1970. 1970 also marked the first election of a Republican governor in a half century and saw both houses of the legislature begin to assert themselves as a counterbalance to executive authority; prior to this time legislators had not had their own staffs or even their own offices and were largely at the mercy of what the governor's staff chose to tell them and in many ways were often something of a "rubber stamp."
See also: List of Speakers of the Tennessee House of Representatives. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House. The Speaker is elected to a two-year term at the beginning of the 1st half of each session of the Tennessee General Assembly. Additionally, the Speaker is second in line for succession to the governorship, after the Speaker of the Senate, in the event of such need. The Speaker appoints members to all committees as well. Even though the Speaker does not have to make committee assignments proportional to the party composition, usually that discretion is used when determining such. Usually, consideration of the abilities, preferences, party representation, and seniority of the members are taken into account. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary of each committee also are chosen by the Speaker and must be given the same considerations in their selection. The Speaker is a voting member of all standing committees of the House, as is the Speaker pro Tempore. The Speaker also serves as co-chairperson of the Joint Legislative Services Committee and must approve, in concurrence with the Speaker of the Senate, the directors of the offices of Legislative Information Services, Legal Services, Legislative Administration, and Legislative Budget Analysis. Additionally, the Speaker is in charge of all facilities, professional and clerical staff, and custodians and security personnel of the House.[4] The current speaker is Cameron Sexton, who represents Tennessee's 25th district.[5]
| Affiliation | Party (shading indicates | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | Vacant | ||||
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | Beginning of 113th General Assembly | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | April 6, 2023[6] | 75 | 22 | 97 | 2 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | April 10, 2023[7] | 75 | 23 | 98 | 1 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | April 12, 2023[8] | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | April 20, 2023[9] | 74 | 24 | 98 | 1 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | May 11, 2023[10] | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | June 4, 2023[11] | 74 | 23 | 98 | 1 | |
| nowrap style="font-size:80%" | June 20, 2023[12] | 75 | 24 | 99 | 0 | |
| Latest voting share | ||||||
| Majority party (R) | width=300 | Leadership position | Minority party (D) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Lamberth | Leader | Karen Camper | |||
| Mark Cochran | Assistant Leader | Harold M. Love Jr. | |||
| Jeremy Faison | Caucus Chairperson | Vincent Dixie | |||
| Brandon Ogles | Caucus Vice Chairperson | Bob Freeman | |||
| Johnny Garrett | Whip | Jason Powell | |||
| Paul Sherrell | Floor Leader | Bill Beck | |||
| Michele Carringer | Caucus Secretary | London Lamar | |||
| Rebecca Alexander | Caucus Treasurer | Jesse Chism |
| District | Name | Party | First elected | Residence | Counties represented | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 2016 | Kingsport | Part of Sullivan | ||||
| Republican | 2014 | Kingsport | Part of Sullivan | ||||
| Republican | 2023 | Blountville | Johnson and parts of Carter, Hawkins, and Sullivan | ||||
| 4 | Republican | 2014 | Johnson City | ||||
| 5 | Republican | 2002 | Greeneville | Greene | |||
| 6 | Tim Hicks | Republican | 2020 | Jonesborough | Part of Washington | ||
| 7 | Rebecca Alexander | Republican | 2020 | Jonesborough | Part of Washington | ||
| Republican | 2017 | Maryville | Part of Blount | ||||
| 9 | Republican | 2016 | Rogersville | Hancock and parts of Claiborne and Hawkins | |||
| 10 | Republican | 2018 | Morristown | ||||
| 11 | Republican | 2010 | Cosby | Cocke, and parts of Jefferson and Hamblen | |||
| 12 | Republican | 2012 | Sevierville | Part of Sevier | |||
| 13 | Robert Stevens | Republican | 2022 | Smyrna | Part of Rutherford | ||
| 14 | Republican | 2015 | Knoxville | Part of Knox | |||
| 15 | Sam McKenzie | Democratic | 2020 | Knoxville | Part of Knox | ||
| 16 | Republican | 2020 | Knoxville | Part of Knox | |||
| 17 | Republican | 2012 | Sevierville | Parts of Jefferson and Sevier | |||
| 18 | Elaine Davis | Republican | 2022 | Knoxville | Part of Knox | ||
| 19 | Republican | 2018 | Corryton | Part of Knox | |||
| 20 | Bryan Richey | Republican | 2022 | Maryville | Part of Blount | ||
| Republican | 2018 | Vonore | Parts of Loudon and Monroe | ||||
| 22 | Republican | 2014 | Cleveland | Meigs, Polk and part of Bradley | |||
| 23 | Republican | 2018 | Englewood | McMinn and part of Monroe | |||
| 24 | Republican | 2022 | Cleveland | Part of Bradley | |||
| 25 | Republican | 2010 | Crossville | Cumberland and part of Putnam | |||
| 26 | Greg Martin | Republican | 2022 | Hixson | Part of Hamilton | ||
| 27 | Republican | 2014 | Signal Mountain | Part of Hamilton | |||
| Democratic | 2018 | Chattanooga | Part of Hamilton | ||||
| 29 | Republican | 2021 | Harrison | Part of Hamilton | |||
| 30 | Republican | 2018 | East Ridge | Part of Hamilton | |||
| 31 | Republican | 2012 | Dayton | Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Rhea and Van Buren | |||
| 32 | Monty Fritts | Republican | 2012 | Kingston | Parts of Roane and part of Loudon | ||
| 33 | Republican | 2010 | Oak Ridge | Part of Anderson | |||
| 34 | Republican | 2016 | Murfreesboro | Part of Rutherford | |||
| 35 | Republican | 2022 | Gallatin | Trousdale and part of Sumner | |||
| 36 | Republican | 2010 | Jacksboro | Campbell, Union and part of Claiborne | |||
| 37 | Republican | 2018 | Murfreesboro | Part of Rutherford | |||
| 38 | Republican | 2010 | Byrdstown | Macon, Clay, Pickett, Scott, and part of Fentress | |||
| 39 | Republican | 2018 | Winchester | Franklin and Marion | |||
| 40 | Michael Hale | Republican | 2022 | Smithville | Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith, and part of Wilson | ||
| 41 | Ed Butler | Republican | 2022 | Cookeville | Overton, Morgan and parts of Anderson, Fentress, and Roane | ||
| 42 | Republican | 2010 | Cookeville | Part of Putnam | |||
| 43 | Republican | 2016 | Sparta | Warren and White | |||
| 44 | Republican | 2012 | Portland | Part of Sumner | |||
| 45 | Republican | 2018 | Goodlettsville | Part of Sumner | |||
| 46 | Republican | 2018 | Lebanon | Part of Wilson | |||
| 47 | Republican | 2018 | Tullahoma | Coffee and Grundy | |||
| 48 | Republican | 2018 | Murfreesboro | Part of Rutherford | |||
| 49 | Republican | 2010 | Smyrna | Part of Rutherford | |||
| 50 | Democratic | 2012 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 51 | Democratic | 2023 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 52 | Justin Jones | Democratic | 2023 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | ||
| 53 | Democratic | 2012 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 54 | Democratic | 2018 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 55 | Democratic | 2014 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 56 | Democratic | 2018 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 57 | Republican | 2013 | Mt. Juliet | Part of Wilson | |||
| 58 | Democratic | 2012 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 59 | Democratic | 2022 | Nashville | Part of Davidson | |||
| 60 | Democratic | 2012 | Old Hickory | Part of Davidson | |||
| 61 | Republican | 2022 | Brentwood | Part of Williamson | |||
| 62 | Republican | 2009 | Shelbyville | Bedford, Moore, and part of Lincoln | |||
| 63 | Republican | 2022 | Franklin | Part of Williamson | |||
| 64 | Republican | 2018 | Culleoka | Part of Maury | |||
| 65 | Republican | 2016 | Franklin | Part of Williamson | |||
| 66 | Republican | 2014 | Springfield | Robertson | |||
| 67 | Ronnie Glynn | Democratic | 2022 | Clarksville | Part of Montgomery | ||
| 68 | Republican | 2004 | Clarksville | Part of Montgomery | |||
| 69 | Republican | 2022 | Dickson | Hickman, Lewis and part of Dickson | |||
| 70 | Republican | 2018 | Pulaski | Giles and parts of Lawrence and Lincoln | |||
| 71 | Republican | 2022 | Summertown | Wayne and parts of Hardin, Lawrence, and Maury | |||
| 72 | Kirk Haston | Republican | 2018 | Lobelville | Henderson, Chester, Decatur, Perry, and part of Hardin | ||
| 73 | Republican | 2018 | Humboldt | Part of Madison | |||
| 74 | Republican | 2014 | Erin | Benton, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart, and part of Henry | |||
| 75 | Jeff Burkhart | Republican | 2022 | Clarksville | Part of Montgomery | ||
| 76 | Tandy Darby | Republican | 2020 | Greenfield | Weakley and parts of Henry and Carroll | ||
| 77 | Republican | 2020 | Newbern | Dyer, Lake and part of Obion | |||
| 78 | Republican | 2012 | Dickson | Cheatham and part of Dickson | |||
| 79 | Republican | 2022 | Huntingdon | Parts of Carroll, Gibson and Henderson | |||
| 80 | Democratic | 2000 | Bolivar | Parts of Hardeman, Haywood and Madison | |||
| 81 | Republican | 2012 | Covington | Tipton and part of Haywood | |||
| 82 | Republican | 2018 | Halls | Crockett, Lauderdale and parts of Gibson and Obion | |||
| 83 | Republican | 2010 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 84 | Democratic | 1994 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 85 | Democratic | 2018 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 86 | Democratic | 2023 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 87 | Democratic | 2008 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 88 | Democratic | 1992 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 89 | Republican | 2018 | Knoxville | Part of Knox | |||
| 90 | Democratic | 2012 | Knoxville | Part of Knox | |||
| 91 | Democratic | 2020 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 92 | Todd Warner | Republican | 2020 | Lewisburg | Marshall and part of Williamson | ||
| 93 | Democratic | 2006 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 94 | Republican | 2016 | Rossville | Fayette, McNairy and part of Hardeman | |||
| 95 | Republican | 2017 | Collierville | Part of Shelby | |||
| 96 | Democratic | 2016 | Cordova | Part of Shelby | |||
| 97 | Republican | 2020 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 98 | Democratic | 2011 | Memphis | Part of Shelby | |||
| 99 | Republican | 2018 | Arlington | Part of Shelby | |||
Committees, subcommittees, and their leadership for the 112th General Assembly are as follows:[14]
| Agriculture and Natural Resources | Rep. Curtis Halford (R) | Rep. Rusty Grills (R) | Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chair: Rep. Chris Todd (R) | |
| Calendar and Rules | Rep. Jason Zachary (R) | Rep. Lowell Russell (R) | ||
| Civil Justice | Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) | Rep. Darren Jernigan (D) | Civil Justice, Chair: Rep. Andrew Farmer (R)Children and Family Affairs, Chair: Rep. Mary Littleton (R) | |
| Commerce | Rep. Kevin Vaughn (R) | Rep. Rush Bricken (R) | Banking and Consumer Affairs, Chair: Rep. Dennis Powers (R)Business and Utilities, Chair: Rep. Clark Boyd (R) | |
| Criminal Justice | Vacant | Rep. Jerry Sexton (R) | Criminal Justice, Chair: Rep. Clay Doggett (R) | |
| Education Administration | Rep. Mark White (R) | Rep. Chris Hurt (R) | K-12, Chair: Rep. Kirk Haston (R)Higher Education, Chair: Rep. Justin Lafferty (R) | |
| Education Instruction | Rep. Debra Moody (R) | Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R) | Education Instruction, Chair: Rep. Scott Cepicky (R) | |
| Finance, Ways, and Means | Rep. Patsy Hazelwood (R) | Rep. Charlie Baum (R) | Finance, Ways, and Means, Chair: Rep. Gary. Hicks (R)Appropriations, Chair: Rep. Ryan Williams (R) | |
| Government Operations | Rep. John Ragan (R) | Rep. Jay Reedy (R) | ||
| Health | Rep. Bryan Terry (R) | Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R) | Health, Chair: Rep. Bob Ramsey (R) | |
| Insurance | Rep. Sabi Kumar (R) | Rep. Iris Rudder (R) | Insurance, Chair: Rep. David Hawk (R) | |
| Local | Rep. John Crawford (R) | Rep. Dave Wright (R) | Cities, Chair: Rep. Jerome Moon (R)Elections and Campaign Finance, Chair: Rep. Tim Rudd (R) Property and Planning, Chair: Rep. Dale Carr (R) | |
| Naming and Designating | Rep. John Mark Windle (D) | Rep. David Byrd (R) | ||
| State | Rep. Kelly Keisling (R) | Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) | Corrections, Chair: Rep. Bud Hulsey (R)Departments and Agencies, Chair: Rep. John Holsclaw (R) Public Service, Chair: Rep. Esther Helton (R) | |
| Transportation | Rep. Dan Howell (R) | Rep. Mark Hall (R) | Transportation, Chair: Rep. Sam Whitson (R) |
| Rules | Rep. Pat Marsh (R) | ||
| Ethics | Rep. Curtis Johnson (R) | Ethics, Chair: Rep. Pat Marsh (R) |
The Tennessee House of Representatives requires a two-thirds majority of the total membership to expel another representative.[15] Since the Civil War, ten representatives have been expelled.[16] Six representatives were expelled in 1866 for attempting to prevent passage of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship to former slaves.[17] In 1980, Republican representative Robert Fisher was expelled for bribery.[18] Republican representative Jeremy Durham was expelled in 2016 for sexual misconduct.[19] Representatives Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson were expelled in 2023 for violating decorum rules by leading a gun control protest on the House floor during a legislative session.[20] Both Jones and Pearson were later reinstated.[21] Representative Gloria Johnson also participated in the demonstration, but avoided expulsion by one vote.[22]
Among Republicans, around 30% of all members hold no degree beyond high school completion, less than 20% hold a Master's or other post baccalaureate degree, and less than 10% have a law degree. Among Democrats, of whom there are a substantially lower number, 15% hold no degree beyond high school, around 30% hold a Master's or other post baccalaureate degree, and 25% have a law degree.[23]
November 2020 saw the election of first openly LGBT people ever to hold seats in Tennessee's state house of representatives,[24] Democrat Torrey Harris and Republican Eddie Mannis.[25] Before November 3, 2020, Tennessee was one of just five states in the nation (others being Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana and Mississippi) to have never elected an out LGBT person to its state legislature.[26] Eddie Mannis did not seek reelection after a single term, citing bullying by the Republican caucus.[27]
Of its 99 members,[28] twenty-one were women[29] in 2020. Representatives Harold Love[30] and Raumesh Akbari hold leadership roles in the National Black Caucus of State Legislators,[31] in which eight Tennessee state lawmakers are members. Akbari is also a State Director with Women in Government, as is Brenda Gilmore.[32]
See main article: Political party strength in Tennessee.