Tennessee Conservative Coalition Executive Director Aaron Gulbransen said state lawmakers are working to reconcile differences in a proposal to expand the state’s Education Freedom Scholarship program as the Tennessee General Assembly approaches the final weeks of session.
While two different versions of the legislation, filed as Senate Bill 2247 and House Bill 2532, have been advanced in committees by their respective chambers, a key difference remains in how many scholarships will ultimately be funded.
The Senate version allows for up to 40,000 scholarships in the 2026–2027 school year, while the House version lowers that number to 35,000 and includes additional provisions related to funding formulas and reporting requirements.
According to Gulbransen, the House’s lower figure reflects internal vote dynamics rather than a philosophical divide among lawmakers.
“My understanding is that’s where the votes are on the committee,” he explained on Thursday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.
Gulbransen nonetheless stressed that either outcome would represent a notable expansion to the program.
“As a proponent of no cap on this, I’m just happy to see an increase one way or the other. So just to be clear, getting to 35,000 education freedom scholarships is still a significant progress,” he said.
As is typical late in session, the fate of the bill is closely tied to broader budget negotiations, Gulbransen explained, adding how leaders are meeting behind the scenes to finalize spending priorities.
He said this process could ultimately determine the scholarship cap.
“The principals are all gathering as they do every single year, to discuss the budget… and you know, sometimes it gets a little tense, but they basically iron out what the general assembly budget is going to be,” Gulbransen said.
He explained that differences between chambers are common and can be resolved through procedural mechanisms.
“You could very well see a different version passed on the House floor and the Senate floor, and it goes to conference… or… the House could motion to substitute and conform… and if it passes the House floor, then it’s 40,000 scholarships.”
At the same time, he noted the reverse scenario remains possible, “Now the opposite could happen too.”
Discussions surrounding the bill come as lawmakers race toward adjournment, with the session expected to end in the coming weeks. The House has placed the measure on its regular calendar for April 13.
If the House and Senate pass different versions, a conference committee or procedural vote will be required to reconcile the two. That decision will determine whether the final scholarship number lands at 35,000, 40,000, or somewhere in between.
For now, Gulbransen said the process is still unfolding behind closed doors, noting, “At the end of the day, they’re posturing right now.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
