Tennessee Veteran 2026 Annual In-Person Board Meeting Minutes Report

Held Aug 18, 2025 @12pm at VFW Post 1291, Nashville, TN

Overview: This meeting of the Tennessee Veterans (TNVET) executive board and member organizations focused on the 2026 legislative agenda, specifically addressing property tax reimbursements, a proposed veterans’ lottery, and the potential support for medical cannabis. The group emphasized the need for a stronger grassroots movement to overcome legislative stagnation and “political extortion” regarding veteran benefits.

The meeting began approximately at noon with comments and actions by TNVET Chairman Joe Leurs.

Roll Call

The following TNVET organizations were represented at the annual meeting:

AMVET, DAV, FVC, MCL, MOAA, VFW, VSO, VVA, WVA

Not represented: AFA, Buffalo Soldiers

Treasurer Report

A very basic report on the treasury account was presented by Bill Summers, as the TNVET Treasurer was unable to attend, but has provided a full detail written report for distribution with these minutes. Organizations were alerted the treasurer would be contacting them for updated membership counts for TNVET dues purposes.

Legislative Discussions, Priorities & Strategy Recap of 2026/27

Property Tax Reimbursement

TNVET is fighting to eliminate a regulatory “fine print” concerning “market value” calculations that reduces the $175,000 property tax reimbursement for 100% P&T disabled veterans. TNVET is seeking a new House sponsor for the property tax bill following Representative Crawford’s primary loss. TNVET thanks him for these past 3-years of effort to get the changes made.  We have potential contacts with another interested legislative sponsor.

• The Issue: The state currently applies a market value adjustment that decreases the actual reimbursement as property values rise. In Montgomery County (as an example), some veterans had seen their reimbursement drop over 60% over a 4-5 year period due to the state using market value increase to reduce the amount of reimbursement. Tennessee is the only state that does this.

• Fiscal Impact: Making these veterans reimbursements “whole” would cost the state approximately $6 million more to fund.

• Strategy: TNVET will continue to push for a clean $175,000 reimbursement without market value offsets.

• Questions submitted to TNVET on the issue. 1) Can we propose a reimbursement on lesser VA disability ratings? Answer: We could, but the amounts of funding needed to cover the increased number of eligible vets would be substantial and any legislation that drives up costs is sidelined and buried, when and where possible by legislators. In addition, what would the cutoff VA disability percentage be and the rationale for that level? Plus, any expansion of disability eligible would still suffer the issue of market value adjustment, which TNVET is working to eliminate. There are 25 states that cover 100% of the property taxes for 100% P&T disabled vets, There are a handful of states that provide some financial reimbursements for lesser VA disability ratings. 2) Can property tax reassessments be frozen for vets? Answer: It would take a change to current state law to do this and very unlike to get far. As with the property tax reimbursements there are other groups…disabled, seniors, and the poor that are involved and affected. Legislators will want to include them or ask why should vets get it all (yes we have heard those very words in legislative committees) and that drives up the cost. This would result in large tax collection reductions/shortfalls in counties/cities with high veteran populations such as Clarksville, Memphis, etc. As with the current property tax reimbursements, the state financial replaces the money so the county does not lose revenue. You can bet the counties/cities would expect the state to make them financial whole, if such a law was being considered. If the state would not, the counties/cities won’t support it. This would result in millions of additional state dollars needed. The state was already pleading poverty in the last legislative session…even though they just recorded a $1.2 billion revenue surplus. 3) Can a bill be proposed to not kick vets out of their home due to nonpayment of property taxes? Answer: The same issues/answer listed in Question 2 are in play here too.

Veterans Lottery Resolution

A proposed constitutional change to create a separate veterans’ lottery (similar to Texas) to fund veteran services and housing.

• Timeline: As a constitutional amendment, it requires two legislative sessions to pass before going to a public ballot, likely in 2030.

• Opposition: Anticipated pushback from the education lottery lobby. The board clarified that the education lottery funds scholarships and higher/additional education opportunities, not local school boards, and a veterans’ lottery would not impact that school system revenue stream.

• Questions submitted to TNVET on the issue. 1) Could this be delayed to concentrate on the property Tax reimbursement? Answer: The consensus is no for several reasons. First, it takes two different state legislative sessions (a session is two years long) to vote and approve the measure to get a constitutional change on the ballot and election/vote is done in the year of a governor election. If we are unsuccessful this coming year, we still have another year in the session to work the bill. Any delay could push the constitutional vote back to 2034. Second, we have legislative sponsors that are willing to sponsor the bill. Third, the legislative Veteran Caucus is supportive of the effort in the last session. 2) Could legislators fight this if it takes money from school boards? Answer: This was addressed in the “Opposition” section above. We know from past legislative battles that legislators do not always know how programs are funded or the rules involved with that funding. This may be the case on this question as the Education Lottery is NOT a source of funding for local school systems. The state, county/city, federal money/grants are the sources of funding for schools.

Medical Cannabis Support

The board voted unanimously to support medical cannabis legislation, if a legislator takes the lead.

• Rationale: With the federal government moving toward Schedule III classification and 41 other states having working and regulated medical cannabis programs, the board views this as a necessary medical tool for veterans with PTSD, TBI, and chronic pain.

• Constraint: TNVET will not initiate the bill but will formally sign on as supporters to provide political cover for sponsoring legislators.

• Questions submitted to TNVET on the issue. 1) Could we delay until the federal government decriminalizes it? Answer: 1) reference “Rationale” above. Secondly, the DOJ has stated that states with federally approved and working/regulated programs can now be in the medical cannabis business. Otherwise. the current 9 states that do not have approved/operational programs (in the southeast that is only Tennessee and North Carolina) are subject to all federal laws and punishments on cannabis. The few Tennessee state laws on medical cannabis usage/dosage/transport actually violate federal law. In the past, legislators were unable to answer the question that if federal laws didn’t support cannabis of any kind, why do we have state laws that violate federal? 2) Should we wait until VA has done its assessment of medical cannabis? Answer: As of May 15, 2026, an amendment to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allows healthcare providers to recommend medical cannabis to eligible veterans in states where it is legal. The VA is working to issue specific guidelines and protocols for implementation. However, that means nothing in Tennessee, until the state approves a medical cannabis program.

Organizational Advocacy & Outreach

The board identified a critical failure in communicating with “grassroots” members of our member organizations. While TNVET represents nearly 50,000 veterans through its member organizations, legislative alerts often fail to reach many individual members. This is resulting in low engagement of veterans to legislators on important issues. Only hundreds of individual veteran communications/emails/calls/letters on legislation are reaching legislators when thousands should be. The lack of massive direct communication engagement weakens the veteran message and hinders legislative interest to resolve issues.

Solutions: “Grassroots Engagement Strategy”

Step One – More Organizational Communication Involvement Is Required

Each veteran organization needs to do more internal tracking on the flow of communications they forward on TNVET information. TNVET information/action updates are  sent to the listed organization points-of-contact. We know that the info, in most cases that we can track, gets sent/forwarded to the next level which are usually divisions, chapters, posts, detachments, etc. After that the info stream/distribution appears to dry up all too often and not be sent to the grassroot member. It’s those grassroot members that contact TNVET complaining not receiving information. They may see it on our Facebook page, from other veteran organizations they are in or through the grapevine from friends.

Step Two – Identify Communication Gap…veterans not a member within a TNVET veteran organization or nonaffiliated veterans….those not in any veteran related organization

TNVET is aware of a lack of “traditional” engagement from younger veterans in post military organizations. While TNVET operates a Facebook page it seems a bigger social media strategy is required to help get information out and increase the nonaffiliated veterans interest and impact on legislation that directly affects many of them……but they are unaware of it. Too many think the federal government is the source of all veteran benefits when it is not.  We have this same issue with many legislators thinking the federal government takes care of all veteran needs.

Step Three – Develop Broader Social Media Strategy

The strategy will look at direct outreach via digital expansion. Focus on Instagram, Snapchat, and gaming forums where younger veterans congregate. TNVET Chairman Joe Leurs has assigned this project to himself with assistance from DAV rep Joy Leapheart. The plan will be submitted to the TNVET Board within 45-days for action/review.

Potential Legislation Issue and Operational Updates

• BNA Airport Parking: The board is investigating the elimination of free parking for disabled veterans at BNA. While the airport cited FAA regulations, research into other airports (Jacksonville, San Antonio) suggests this is a local business decision.

• VSO Funding & Standards: Discussion regarding the CBSO Act and state-level surveys of County Veteran Service Officers (VSOs). There is concern about the state attempting to standardize or control VSOs who are currently funded by counties. Alex Jones (VSO) and Tim Woody (TNVET/AMVETs/VSO) will work/monitor this issue.

• Website Transition: The TNVET website was being migrated to a standalone host (Host Papa) but has encounter unexpected issues. We are currently offline at the submission of these minutes. VVA has been hosting the TNVET website (which we are very thankful for) and may still be. The problems with Host Papa and are being worked. TNVET thanks VVA for their efforts and support these past years.

• Veterans Day on the Hill: Planning continues for early 2027. It will happen the last week of January 2027 or first week of February. However, in the past, Wednesday of those weeks has been the targeted day. We may need to flexibility of going to a Tuesday or Thursday as scheduling is always a problem when a newly elected session of the legislature meets.

Economic Impact of Tennessee Veterans – Did You Know?

The board highlighted these figures to leverage support from the Governor’s office:

• Total Economic Impact: $32 Billion.

• Federal Dollars to TN: $7.16 Billion annually.

• Veteran-Owned Businesses: ~18,000.

• TN National Ranking: 14th in veteran population, but 39th in veteran benefits.

Closing

The attending members were pleased with issues and discussions. The need to ensure communications of our efforts is paramount. Chairman Leurs closed the meeting approximately 3:50pm. (the meeting ran long, but everyone was involved and providing input….which any good meeting needs)

Meeting minutes collected, written/revised and approved by Steve Singleton (TNVET/MOAA), Bill Summers (TNVET/MOAA) and Joe Leurs (TNVET/MCL) and Board members

 

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Tennessee Veteran 2025 Annual In-Person Board Meeting Minutes Report

Held July 12, 2025 @1pm at VFW Post 1291, Nashville, TN

ATTENDANCE

Board Member Organizations with a representative(s) in attendance:

AFA     

AMVETS

MCL

MOAA

VFW

WVA – Executive Board Member Select – WVA 47

 

BOARD Members Organizations with no representation:

Buffalo Soldiers

DAV

Farmer Veterans

Vet Coalition

VSO

VVA

WVA – Clarksville

WVA – Nashville

Chairman Howard French opened the session with the pledge and welcomed everyone with a few general comments

 

FINANCE

The finance report was read:

Jan 2025 beginning balance: $5343.48

            Jan payments – TNVET Insurance – $162.00

                                    Mission BBQ (Vet Day On The Hill lunch) – $1377.26

            Jan ending balance: $3804.22

Feb  beginning balance: $3804.22

            Feb deposit –  DAV dues – $200.00

            Feb ending balance: $4004.22

March beginning balance: $4004.22

            March deposit – West Vet Coalition – $50.00

            March ending balance: $4054.22

April through July 1st balance (no banking activity): $4054.22

 

ALL members organizations are asked to check their membership rolls and submit any changes to the TNVET treasurer (Robin Beamon: email – rbnbmn@yahoo.com ) by July 31.  It is time to renew membership dues for 2026. Dues payment statements will be emailed in a couple of weeks.

 

Members organizations are reminded that dues pay for the following: $1 million yearly insurance (used for Vet Day on the Hill requirements), lunch for Vet Day on the Hill, post office box, TNVET domain website name, postage, paper/office and print supplies, occasionally for parking near the legislative building in Nashville. Those TNVET members who attend and speak on behalf of TNVET at the Capitol usually donate their time, gas, parking, and some printing supplies. These “donations” save TNVET $1,000 or more a year. TNVET also gets donations for veteran members, which are greatly appreciated!

 

As a reminder of the efforts by the TNVET Executive Board, many items that would cost TNVET several thousands of dollars to put on Vet Day on the Hill are donated by Nashville business organizations to help our cause. Mission BBQ reduces the cost of lunch by about 50% for the lunch provided (and does not charge to provide a serving and setup crew – vets attending Vet Day provide a few dollars each as a tip to these crews). Gray Lines Transportation of Nashville provides two 32-passenger at NO COST to TNVET for the Vet Day transportation, Nashville Sport Authority allows vets to park free at the TITANs football stadium.  For our annual TNVET in-person meeting, the VFW in Nashville allows us to use their facility. We are also very fortunate that the Vietnam Vets of America allows TNVET to piggyback our website off their website system, thus saving us hundreds of dollars a year in website costs.

 

The bottom line is that TNVET is operated as cost-efficiently as any organization out there. The dues paid by the member organizations are stretched as far as possible.

 

RECAP of 2025 Legislative Session Efforts

Tennessee Veteran Lottery

            A full written report is provided as an attachment to this report

 

Heroes Grant

            If you kept up with reports provided during the last legislative session, you know that the bill did not get fully filed by the deadline, and thus was not considered during the last session.  We wanted to expand the parameters of those who could qualify for the grants and expand the education opportunity to the Applied Technology/VoTech schools, instead of strictly universities. There was confusion about the costs of these actions by the House member who was to file the bill, causing the bill to miss the filing date. We were not asking for more money with our changes, just complete use of what was available. The Senate member carrying our bill made the cutoff. A bill requires a Senate and House filing to be considered. Bottom line, there were no additional costs, but our effort was to use all the money allocated each year more fully. Money was left over every year, and this had been noted in a state Comptroller report.

 

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Reimbursement

            If you kept up with reports filed by TNVET, you know that every House and Senate legislative committee votes all “yes” and zero “No” on our bill.  As we had informed you before the last session, if Gov. Lee did not fund the bill in his state budget, it would be long odds in getting it approved and funded. On the last couple of days of the session, TNVET was there to speak, if possible, to plead for the small amount of funding the legislature is given to dole out. We were not given that opportunity, and our bill, like many others, went unfunded and died.

            In February 2025, the state comptroller briefed the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee that the program would not have funding to meet all obligations, and Gov. Lee and the Legislature would have to address that issue.  In addition, that shortfall in funding did not include the estimated $6 million increase in costs to change the math calculations from “Market Value” to “Assessed Value” for the affected disabled vets. Tennessee appears to be the only state to deduct money from the $175,000 allowed for a property value.  If the market value of your property goes up 10% in a year, you lose 10% on the reimbursement you should have received.

 

2026 Legislative Session Agenda

The Board members discussed the upcoming legislative session that will begin in January 2026.  The Tennessee Veteran Lottery was approved again for the legislative effort/session. Efforts to be ready are described in the attached report.

The Heroes Grant bill was to be worked on again this coming session, but late news from the state has changed TNVET’s position, and it will not be resubmitted. The rationale is as follows: TNVET has been in discussions with the Tennessee Education Department of Grant and Scholarship Programs. While the grant program had had excess money for years that was not being utilized, TNVET was told at the start of the last legislative session that any excess money may disappear. As most vets and citizens are aware, the state was pushing for a school choice/voucher program. The state dug for money to support the bill and took all the excess out of the Heroes Grant program. As of this moment, so much money has been taken from the program that it has a shortfall in meeting the 2026 obligations it has.  So, any expansion effort of the program is dead on arrival with the legislature at this time. The Heroes Grant is funded through the state education lottery, which is seeing a reduction in revenue at the present time.

However, the Tennessee Higher Education/grants & Scholarships department has advised us that they have the internal authority, by law, to expand part of what our bill was fighting for.  Part of our bill was to broaden the qualification of “heroes” military awards/ribbons to include any combat-awarded medals received. Examples would be Medal of Honor, Military Service Crosses, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. This would not require legislation to get approval. TNVET will pursue this route. Also, TNVET will follow the financial aspects of the Heroes Grant and the education lottery. However, as the Governor sets the budget for all programs, it is doubtful we will see the excess funding in the grant program that was evident before. 

It was noted that a rough state review of TNVET’s bill (expand medals and add the applied technology/vo-tech schools) would have likely expanded the number of vets using the grant program by 25%. This justifies that TNVET was on the right track to help veterans.

The 100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Reimbursement will be on for 2026.  Two issues have surfaced.  The state Comptroller has said the program is out of money for 2026. The use of assessed value versus market value remains to be fought.  TNVET has reached out to the offices that work with the Governor on both issues. We have been told this is on the agenda with the Governor and his Legislative Director.  We have asked to be a part of those discussions. We await further information/instruction.

 

Expansion of the Executive Board

TNVET has experimented with different methods to work proposed veteran legislation. These efforts, such as signing up interested volunteers from our various member organizations to form a committee, assigning vet members who expressed an interest in working on legislation to a mix of volunteers and select board members, failed. In every case, the executive board members had to pick up the pieces and do the job. Executive Board members have been taking on the legislative duties for the last several years. With this being the most successful in ensuring the legislation is researched, filed, and speakers with knowledge of the bill are available, the Board decided to expand the Executive Board to provide more workers to do the job.

Thus, for 2026, the Executive Board will expand from 7 to 9 positions, based on approval of the member veteran organizations.  Per the Constitution/By-laws, the chairman who finishes his two years in that position, stays on for two more years to assist. Mike Rhew, past chairman, was due to rotate completely off the Board for 2026.  However, Mike has shown great ability in legislative research, the ability to present legislation, and interact with legislators at both the state and federal levels. The Board accepted the motion to keep Mike on as an Executive Board and legislative team member. Mike is working on the Veteran lottery bill. He is also a VFW member.

The second Executive Board member added, approved by the member veteran organizations, is Karen Reynolds. Karen has served with the Clarksville City Council and has experience in researching legislation and its legal aspects, and presenting it to both constituents and the council body. Karen will likely be teamed with Mike to help with the Veteran Lottery Bill. She is a member of the Women Veterans of America.

 

Growing TNVET Membership

TNVET has grown to 12 veteran organizations representing over 55,000 veterans. This makes us the largest combined veteran organization in the state. However, there are many other veteran organizations and thousands of vets who do not have the voice in the state legislature that TNVET has developed. TNVET welcomes all veteran organizations to join us and work for the benefit of the state veteran causes and needs.

 

Executive Board Changes

Every two years, the Vice-Chairman rolls to the Chairman position, and the next veteran organization on the list steps up to the Vice-Chairman position. Howard French (MOAA) has served as Chairman and has finished his term.  TNVET thanks Howard for his work and dedication to the veteran causes and TNVET.  We have grown in membership and influence during his tenure. Howard will stay on the Executive Board as past chairman, per TNVET rules.

Joe Leurs steps up to the Chairman position.  Joe represents the Marine Corps League and was a recent replacement as Vice-Chairman. So, Joe will have a fast and steep learning curve, but is excited and looking forward to the challenge. TNVET welcomes Joseph (Joe) Leurs to the position, and Board/Executive Board members will be pitching in to ease the learning curve and make his tenure a success.

The Vice-Chair position will go to Tim Woody. Tim represents AMVETS. He will be working with Joe and the other Board members closely on veteran legislation.  TNVET welcomes Tim and thanks him for taking up the challenge.

Two places we do not have changes (thank goodness) are at Secretary and Treasurer.  These are approved volunteer positions.  Daniel Wilson (secretary) and Robin Beamon (Treasurer) have agreed to stay on another year.  TNVET thanks them for their work for the organization and the veteran cause.

Steve Singleton and Bill Summers, two of the four founders of TNVET, remain on the board in an emeritus/ ex officio role, working on legislation.  They are part of the legislative team development.

In two years, the Veteran Farmers will be the next veteran organization to take the Vice-Chair position.

 

Veteran Day on the Hill (VDH)– 2026

The proposed dates for the 2026 VDH are either Wednesday, January 28, 2026, or Wednesday, Feb 3, 2026. Availability of meeting rooms at the Cordell Hull Legislative Bldg. will determine the date. Actions to start that event will begin in a few weeks. As in past VDHs, it is planned to provide free parking, free transportation, and free lunch to those who attend.  We had an excellent turnout in 2025.

A change in the legislative process was conducted this past year in having attendees sign and date the proposed bills that they would carry to their legislators during their visits.  This had a noticeable change in how legislators viewed the proposed legislation.  TNVET ensured that all legislators were notified of our bills, as many legislative districts will not have a vet from that area in attendance at VDH. However, those that do were much more attuned to veteran concerns. We will work the same process in 2026.

VDH has been an educational event as much as a legislative effort. Vets get to meet their legislators, discuss issues, hear from the state Commissioner on Veteran issues, and be brought up to date on what things are going on in Nashville. The feedback from visiting vets has been extremely positive, and we thank you for that.

 

Legislative Veteran Caucus

Legislators who have veteran experience or a deep interest in veteran issues usually join the Legislative Veteran Caucus.  However, the number of legislators with military experience is shrinking. Only 3 of 33 state Senators have such experience.  We believe we are down to around 10 in the 99-member House. We have seen members of the Caucus battle their fellow legislators due to the lack of understanding of what veterans have faced, the physical health battle they may have from military service, and that vets are not like any other subsection of state citizens. The Veteran population is also one of the largest revenue producers in Tennessee in terms of retirement, health, and education benefits, job workers, and business creators. TNVET works closely with the Caucus members and wants to see it flourish.  It is made up of members of both parties and is united in the veteran cause.  Its activities suffered during Covid, and we hope to see it rebuild this year into the “political machine” it was before Covid. 

 

Conclusion

TNVET is organizing and preparing for the 2026 legislative effort. The participation of all 12 veteran organizations is needed for success. TNVET has mentioned in the past that many members of the 12 veteran organizations complain that they are not receiving TNVET information through their organizations’ communication channels. TNVET sends info to the points-of-contact that each veteran organization assigns to us. After that, it is the veteran organization’s responsibility to distribute that info. TNVET again asks the leadership of each of the organizations to track how their communication systems are distributing TNVET info.  When info is not distributed, it chokes TNVET’s ability to get the vets at the grassroots levels to contact their legislators for action and accountability.  Numbers count! Emails and phone calls from veteran constituents are a make-or-break deal in legislation.  VDH is the start of the legislative effort….it has to continue with vet interaction through the legislative session.

The TNVET meeting concluded around 2:30 pm.  We again thank the VFW for the use of its facilities to meet. The minutes of the meeting were formatted and recorded by Korry Rahn and Bill Summers.

Thank you, 

Joseph Leurs, MBA

TNVET Chairman

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Attachment – Tennessee Veterans Lottery Report

Veterans Lottery Scratch Off 2026

Establish an instant-ticket lottery game to benefit the “Tennessee Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (TNFVA);” a state dedicated method or program that raises money dedicated to Tennessee Veteran needs/programs.

In 2024, the TNVET executive board leadership briefed and gained interest from State & Local leaders and Executive Board member Michael Rhew met with Representative Rush Bricken in Manchester, TN. Representative Bricken agreed to assist with developing and submitting the legislation. In January 2025, Mike Rhew followed up with a letter to Rep. Bricken who drafted the legislation and submitted it for approval and bill number assignment. Unfortunately, after realizing this legislation requires a Tennessee Constitution changed, legal rejected and returned it to Rep. Bricken.

Unable to pursue further, Rep. Bricken introduced House Bill, HB0812, which did not gain any support. TNVET, Mike Rhew, thanked Rep. Bricken for the initiative, but reiterated that this funding is insufficient for the amount of revenue needed.

 

HB0812 – Veterans Services, Dept. of – As introduced, allocates 1 percent of the revenue from sports gaming in this state to the department to be used to support veterans services in this state. – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 58; Title 68 and Title 71.

Tennessee’s online gambling revenue has been significant since the legalization of sports betting. In the first eight days, bettors wagered over $27 million, resulting in almost $510,000 in tax revenue for the state. In the first year, Tennessee collected a total of $35.5 million from sports betting. The estimated total revenue for 2023 was $458.4 million. Eighty percent of the sports betting tax revenue goes to education, 15% to local governments, and the remaining 5% funds mental health programs in the state.

**** Best year 2022 – $68 million at 1 percent equals $680,000

 

Latest Tennessee Sports Betting Handle and Taxes Information

TNVET will pursue legislation to amend the Tennessee Constitution to create a fund for Veterans’ Assistance, similar to the Tennessee Education Lottery. Establish funding grants and opportunities to include, but are not limited to, Veteran Service Organizations, Veteran County Service Officers, Mental Health, emergency assistance, outreach and training functions, and other needs/programs that will complement but not replicate existing Tennessee Veterans Benefits.

Amend the Tennessee Code (Constitutional Change) to require the Tennessee Lottery Commission to create and operate an instant-ticket lottery game to benefit the “Tennessee Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (TNFVA). The bill sets forth the commission’s duties in operating the lottery game. It requires the commission to market and advertise the game in a manner intended to inform the public that game tickets are available and that proceeds are used to benefit all Tennessee veterans and their families.

The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL) closed out the third quarter (Jan. 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024) of this fiscal year with a transfer of $113,820,000 to the Lottery for Education Account.

Since inception, more than two million Lottery-funded scholarships and grants have been awarded to Tennessee students seeking a post-secondary education. In addition to hundreds of enriching K-12 after-school programs have been funded, as well as an energy-efficient schools initiative.

 

Texas Lottery Veterans Scratch Off

Since 2009 through the current 2024-2025 grant cycle, the Texas Veterans Commission, TVC, has awarded over $313 million in FVA grant funds to hundreds of organizations that have assisted over 500,000 veterans across the state. During the last grant cycle (July 1^st to June 30^th), TVC awarded grants totaling more than $44 million to 161 organizations that served an estimated 41,000 veterans and their families.

More than $250 million for the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) in the 15 years since the Legislature directed funds from veterans-themed scratch ticket games to the FVA in 2009.

 

2025 Legislative Action

March 19, 2025, 0800 –  Tennessee Veteran’s Caucus of State Legislators

Attendees- Rep. Fritts, Sen. Briggs, Rep. Camper, Rep. Aron Mayberry

Bill Summers spoke about HB436/SB651, which addresses issues with the Veterans Property Tax Program.

Ms. Qu’ran Folsom with Barron Heights Transitional Center in Memphis (homeless veterans housing) – request for grant/funding.

Rep. Fitz made comment about funding issues, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, TDVS, Commissioner Baker unable to hire additional Service Officers.

With Mike Rhew attending to discuss the Veterans Lottery Scratch Off, Rep. Fritz comment was a great lead-in. Mike commented that TNVET had tried to introduce a bill for the lottery, a scratch off that could raise funds TDVS, Veterans Service Organizations, and veterans and their families.

Senator Briggs, Knoxville, who was sitting next to Mike commented “This is the kind of thinking we need.” Mike stated that TNVET needs to resubmit the legislation and Senator Briggs readily asked that we work with him over the summer.

June 18, 2025 – Mike Rhew contacted Sen. Briggs executive assistant who asked TNVET provide an email summarizing the Veterans Lottery Scratch Off and that we begin working with Sen. Briggs in August.