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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In an effort to address concerns over the state’s congressional map, lawmakers have gathered in Nashville for a special session of the Tennessee General Assembly. This session, initiated by Gov. Bill Lee on May 1, highlights the need to reassess the boundaries of Tennessee’s congressional districts to ensure they truly represent the preferences of voters across the state.
Governor Lee emphasized the importance of this review, as the current congressional map features only one out of nine districts represented by a Democrat—Congressman Steve Cohen, who serves parts of Shelby and Tipton counties in West Tennessee. The session, which spans three days, provides a platform for lawmakers to consider new legislative proposals, aiming to enhance the fairness and accuracy of the district lines.
Although the session was scheduled to commence in the afternoon, legislators wasted no time in preparing for the discussions. Several bills have already been filed, most notably by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, a Republican from Crossville. However, Democratic House Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons of Nashville has also put forth a proposal for consideration.
Among the filed legislation, Speaker Sexton’s bill stands out. It proposes to temporarily lift the requirement that candidates for the United States House of Representatives must meet the residency criteria outlined for state senators and representatives in the Tennessee constitution. This change is suggested to apply specifically for the 2026 election, signaling a potential shift in candidate eligibility.
Filed by Speaker Sexton, the bill as introduced “suspends application of the requirement that candidates for United States house of representatives meet the residency requirements for state senators and representatives contained in the Tennessee constitution for the 2026 election.”
Sexton’s bill, as introduced, “removes [the] prohibition on changing congressional districts between apportionments,” allowing for redistricting not following a Census.
This bill, also by Sexton, “removes the prohibition on changing congressional districts between apportionments,” specifying it applies to Title 2, Chapter 16 of the Tennessee Code Annotated and Chapter 742 of the Public Acts of 2026.
HB 7004, also filed by Sexton, is a repeat of HB 7003, according to the Tennessee General Assembly website.
Also filed by the Speaker, this bill “makes appropriations sufficient for the payment of any lawful expenses of the second extraordinary session of the 114th General Assembly” and “makes other appropriations related to such extraordinary session.”
The lone bill filed by a Democrat, HB 7006 “revises the boundaries for congressional districts in this state.”
Per the text of the bill, it outlines the nine congressional districts of Tennessee, reversing the most recent congressional redistricting that split Davidson County into three separate districts. The districts are comprised as (* – indicates a portion of the county is in this district):
- District 1: Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union*, and Washington counties
- District 2: Anderson, Blount*, Knox, Sevier, and Union* counties
- District 3: Blount*, Bradley, Hamilton, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea, and Roane* counties
- District 4: Rutherford*, Sumner*, Williamson, and Wilson counties
- District 5: Davidson County, and Rutherford* counties
- District 6: Bedford*, Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Franklin, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Marion, Moore, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Roane*, Scott, Sequatchie, Smith, Sumner*, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, and White counties
- District 7: Bedford*, Cheatham, Dickson, Giles, Hardin*, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Stewart, and Wayne counties
- District 8: Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin*, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby*, Tipton, and Weakley counties
- District 9: Shelby* County
Shortly after the House bills were filed, Senate companion bills also appeared on the general assembly’s website. As of 10 a.m. Senate bills 7001, 7002, 7003, and 7004 were filed by TN Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin).