HB 632 - SB 808
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 20, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Rebecca Chandler | Email: rebecca.chandler@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 632 - SB 808
SUMMARY OF BILL: Establishes a paid volunteer leave policy for eligible Tennessee state
employees. Grants 15 hours of paid volunteer leave per year to full-time employees working more
than 1,600 hours annually after completing one full year of service. Excludes part-time, temporary,
seasonal, and emergency employees in the preferred service from eligibility.
Specifies that volunteer leave is non-cumulative and must be used within the year. Limits usage to
non-state Tennessee community commitments, including nonprofit work, schools, and community
initiatives. Prohibits leave from being deducted from sick, annual, or other accrued leave. Maintains
employee positions, benefits, pay, and healthcare coverage during leave, with employees responsible
for their share of healthcare costs.
Protects employees from retaliation, discipline, or discrimination for using volunteer leave. Requires
the Department of Human Resources (DHR) to set policies for executive branch agencies, while
non-executive agencies oversee their own implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Based on information provided by DHR, state employee salaries are fully budgeted;
therefore, there are no additional payroll costs associated with employees taking volunteer
leave. Since salaries are allocated regardless of leave usage, this policy does not require extra
funding.
• The 15-hour annual volunteer leave allowance is unlikely to create a need for hiring
additional staff or paying overtime. Agencies are expected to manage employee absences
without significant disruption.
• Existing leave management systems are assumed to be sufficient for tracking and approving
volunteer leave without the need for new software, additional personnel, or other
administrative costs.
• Employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement contributions, remain
unaffected since employees continue to be on payroll during their leave. No additional
benefit costs are anticipated.
• Volunteer leave functions similarly to other leave policies and is not expected to create a
new financial burden. The policy aligns with existing leave structures without requiring new
resources or funding allocations.
HB 632 - SB 808 2
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director