Governor Lee vetoes critical parole reform bill in Tennessee
- Governor Bill Lee vetoed a bill that would have broadened the parole board's ability to deny parole for various offenses beyond the current 22 violent crimes.
- The bill received strong bipartisan support during its passage but was rejected by Lee, who argued it would undermine efforts to reduce recidivism.
- Lawmakers may seek to override the veto in January, reflecting the ongoing debate over criminal justice reform in Tennessee.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee has exercised his veto power for the first time since taking office in 2019 by rejecting a significant bill concerning parole denials. On May 5, 2025, Lee vetoed SB0455/HB0527, which sought to give the state parole board greater authority to deny parole applications for a wider array of crimes beyond the 22 violent offenses specified in existing law. This bill had gained substantial bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 75-16 in the House and 22-4 in the Senate, indicating a strong legislative push for reforms intended to address issues within the state’s parole system. The Governor expressed strong concerns that enacting such legislation would undo important progress established by the Reentry Success Act of 2021, which aimed to reduce recidivism among offenders in Tennessee. In his veto letter, Lee stated that the proposed changes would be a