Chris Hurt Featured Fourth Of July HB1784 HB1857 House Bill 1784 House BIll 1857 House Health Committee Kirk Haston Mark Pody SB1940

Tennessee House Committee Passes Bill Requiring Instruction On Fourth Of July In Public Schools

March 11, 2026

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Image Credit: TN General Assembly

Tennessee Conservative News Staff –

Legislation that would require Tennessee public schools to formally observe the Fourth of July during the school year passed through the House Education Committee on Tuesday and is headed to the House floor.

House Bill 1857 (HB1857), sponsored by State Representative Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro-D34), would mandate that all local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools “designate one instructional day each school year to observe the Fourth of July by providing students with age- and grade-appropriate instruction on the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by American citizens.”

The text of the bill details grade specific objectives with grades K-5 focusing on foundational concepts of American independence, grades 6-8 focusing on historical context and civic understanding, and grades 9-12 focusing on analysis of foundational texts and civic themes. LEAs would be allowed to “determine the instructional program and methods used to provide such instruction.”

According to Rudd, the bill came about after members of the Rutherford County School Board informed him that teachers and administrators from other school districts made statements alluding to the fact that they did not have to teach the Fourth of July because that holiday fell outside of the school year. He says the new legislation would clean up the existing Civics bill which, according to him, is vague.

Representatives Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville-D15) and Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-D90) both argued that this legislation was unnecessary because this instruction was already embedded in Tennessee state standards and would place “one more thing” on teachers’ already full plates.

The question was called and the committee voted. The bill passed with 12 ayes, 2 nays, and 3 present not voting. McKenzie and Johnson voted against the legislation, which Representatives Ronnie Glynn (D-Clarksville-D67), Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville-D72), and Chris Hurt (R-Halls-D82) opted not to vote.

The companion Senate Bill 1960 (SB1960), sponsored by State Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-D17), is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, March 11.

Committee contact information can be found at end of article.

Another piece of legislation related to the recognition of a holiday, House Bill 1784 (HB1784), remains on the House Health Committee’s calendar with no action taken on Tuesday.

This bill, sponsored by State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-D61), would designate January 22 of each year as “Sanctity of Life Day.”

The companion Senate Bill 1940 (SB1940), sponsored by State Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-D28), was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 2 but has not yet been placed on that calendar.

Senate Education Committee – SB1960 to be heard March 11

SB1960 designates one instructional day each school year to observe the Fourth of July by providing students with instruction on the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by American citizens.

Sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov; sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov; sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov

House Health Committee – HB1784 hearing date to be determined

HB1784 designates January 22 of each year as “Sanctity of Life Day.”